The role of p53 in cancer drug resistance and targeted chemotherapy. Oncotarget. 2017;8:8921-8946. [PMID: 27888811 PMCID: PMC5352454 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13475]

The Anticancer Activity of Monosaccharides: Perspectives and Outlooks

A major hallmark of cancer is the reprogramming of cellular metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. To sustain high rates of glycolysis, cancer cells overexpress GLUT transporters and glycolytic enzymes, allowing for the enhanced uptake and consumption of glucose. The Warburg effect may be exploited in the treatment of cancer; certain epimers and derivatives of glucose can enter cancer cells and inhibit glycolytic enzymes, stunting metabolism and causing cell death. These include common dietary monosaccharides (ᴅ-mannose, ᴅ-galactose, ᴅ-glucosamine, ʟ-fucose), as well as some rare monosaccharides (xylitol, ᴅ-allose, ʟ-sorbose, ʟ-rhamnose). This article reviews the literature on these sugars in in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, discussing their mechanisms of cytotoxicity. In addition to this, the anticancer potential of some synthetically modified monosaccharides, such as 2-deoxy-ᴅ-glucose and its acetylated and halogenated derivatives, is reviewed. Further, this article reviews how certain monosaccharides can be used in combination with anticancer drugs to potentiate conventional chemotherapies and to help overcome chemoresistance. Finally, the limitations of administering two separate agents, a sugar and a chemotherapeutic drug, are discussed. The potential of the glycoconjugation of classical or repurposed chemotherapy drugs as a solution to these limitations is reviewed.

Modulation of Apoptotic, Cell Cycle, DNA Repair, and Senescence Pathways by Marine Algae Peptides in Cancer Therapy

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Anti-Inflammatory and Cancer-Preventive Potential of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Comprehensive In Silico and In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Chamomile tea, renowned for its exquisite taste, has been appreciated for centuries not only for its flavor but also for its myriad health benefits. In this study, we investigated the preventive potential of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) towards cancer by focusing on its anti-inflammatory activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A virtual drug screening of 212 phytochemicals from chamomile revealed β-amyrin, β-eudesmol, β-sitosterol, apigenin, daucosterol, and myricetin as potent NF-κB inhibitors. The in silico results were verified through microscale thermophoresis, reporter cell line experiments, and flow cytometric determination of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential. An oncobiogram generated through comparison of 91 anticancer agents with known modes of action using the NCI tumor cell line panel revealed significant relationships of cytotoxic chamomile compounds, lupeol, and quercetin to microtubule inhibitors. This hypothesis was verified by confocal microscopy using α-tubulin-GFP-transfected U2OS cells and molecular docking of lupeol and quercetin to tubulins. Both compounds induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and necrosis rather than apoptosis. Interestingly, lupeol and quercetin were not involved in major mechanisms of resistance to established anticancer drugs (ABC transporters, TP53, or EGFR). Performing hierarchical cluster analyses of proteomic expression data of the NCI cell line panel identified two sets of 40 proteins determining sensitivity and resistance to lupeol and quercetin, further pointing to the multi-specific nature of chamomile compounds. Furthermore, lupeol, quercetin, and β-amyrin inhibited the mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL6 in NF-κB reporter cells (HEK-Blue Null1). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier-based survival analyses with NF-κB as the target protein of these compounds were performed by mining the TCGA-based KM-Plotter repository with 7489 cancer patients. Renal clear cell carcinomas (grade 3, low mutational rate, low neoantigen load) were significantly associated with shorter survival of patients, indicating that these subgroups of tumors might benefit from NF-κB inhibition by chamomile compounds.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the potential of chamomile, positioning it as a promising preventive agent against inflammation and cancer. Further research and clinical studies are recommended.

Proteomics Analysis of Interactions between Drug-Resistant and Drug-Sensitive Cancer Cells: Comparative Studies of Monoculture and Coculture Cell Systems

Cell-cell interactions, which allow cells to communicate with each other through molecules in their microenvironment, are critical for the growth, health, and functions of cells. Previous studies show that drug-resistant cells can interact with drug-sensitive cells to elevate their drug resistance level, which is partially responsible for cancer recurrence. Studying protein targets and pathways involved in cell-cell communication provides essential information for fundamental cell biology studies and therapeutics of human diseases. In the current studies, we performed direct coculture and indirect coculture of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cell lines, aiming to investigate intracellular proteins responsible for cell communication. Comparative studies were carried out using monoculture cells. Shotgun bottom-up proteomics results indicate that the P53 signaling pathway has a strong association with drug resistance mechanisms, and multiple TP53-related proteins were upregulated in both direct and indirect coculture systems. In addition, cell-cell communication pathways, including the phagosome and the HIF-signaling pathway, contribute to both direct and indirect coculture systems. Consequently, AK3 and H3-3A proteins were identified as potential targets for cell-cell interactions that are relevant to drug resistance mechanisms. We propose that the P53 signaling pathway, in which mitochondrial proteins play an important role, is responsible for inducing drug resistance through communication between drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cancer cells.

Berberine synergises with ferroptosis inducer sensitizing NSCLC to ferroptosis in p53-dependent SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway

Berberine (BBR) is a compound derived from Chinese herbal medicine, known for its anticancer properties through multiple signaling pathways. However, whether BBR can inhibit tumor growth by participating in ferroptosis remains unconfirmed. In this study, we demonstrated that berberine synergistically inhibited NSCLC in combination with multiple ferroptosis inducers, and this combination synergistically down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, and NRF2, resulting in ferroptosis accompanied by significant depletion of GSH, and aberrant accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. In a lung cancer allograft model, the combination treatment exhibited enhanced anticancer effects compared to using either drug alone. Notably, p53 is critical in determining the ferroptosis sensitivity. We found that the combination treatment did not elicit a synergistic anticancer effect in cells with a p53 mutation or with exogenous expression of mutant p53. These findings provide insight into the mechanism by which combination induces ferroptosis and the regulatory role of p53 in this process. It may guide the development of new strategies for treating NSCLC, offering great medical potential for personal diagnosis and treatment.

Developing a Tanshinone IIA Memetic by Targeting MIOS to Regulate mTORC1 and Autophagy in Glioblastoma

Tanshinone IIA (T2A) is a bioactive compound that provides promise in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with a range of molecular mechanisms including the inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and the induction of autophagy. Recently, T2A has been demonstrated to function through sestrin 2 (SESN) to inhibit mTORC1 activity, but its possible impact on autophagy through this pathway has not been investigated. Here, the model system Dictyostelium discoideum and GBM cell lines were employed to investigate the cellular role of T2A in regulating SESN to inhibit mTORC1 and activate autophagy through a GATOR2 component MIOS. In D. discoideum, T2A treatment induced autophagy and inhibited mTORC1 activity, with both effects lost upon the ablation of SESN (sesn-) or MIOS (mios-). We further investigated the targeting of MIOS to reproduce this effect of T2A, where computational analysis identified 25 novel compounds predicted to strongly bind the human MIOS protein, with one compound (MIOS inhibitor 3; Mi3) reducing cell proliferation in two GBM cells. Furthermore, Mi3 specificity was demonstrated through the loss of potency in the D. discoideum mios- cells regarding cell proliferation and the induction of autophagy. In GBM cells, Mi3 treatment also reduced mTORC1 activity and induced autophagy. Thus, a potential T2A mimetic showing the inhibition of mTORC1 and induction of autophagy in GBM cells was identified.

Discovery of Novel p53-MDM2 Inhibitor (RG7388)-Conjugated PlatinumIV Complexes as Potent Antitumor Agents

While a number of p53-MDM2 inhibitors have progressed into clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, their progression has been hampered by a variety of problems, including acquired drug resistance, dose-dependent toxicity, and limited clinical efficiency. To make more progress, we integrated the advantages of MDM2 inhibitors and platinum drugs to construct novel PtIV-RG7388 (a selective MDM2 inhibitor) complexes. Most complexes, especially 5a and 5b, displayed greatly improved antiproliferative activity against both wild-type and mutated p53 cancer cells. Remarkably, 5a exhibited potent in vivo tumor growth inhibition in the A549 xenograft model (66.5%) without apparent toxicity. It arrested the cell cycle at both the S phase and the G2/M phase and efficiently induced apoptosis via the synergistic effects of RG7388 and cisplatin. Altogether, PtIV-RG7388 complex 5a exhibited excellent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities, highlighting the therapeutic potential of PtIV-RG7388 complexes as antitumor agents.

Application of prime editing system to introduce TP53 R248Q hotspot mutation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line

In childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), TP53 gene mutation is associated with chemoresistance in a certain population of relapsed cases. To directly verify the association of TP53 gene mutation with chemoresistance of relapsed childhood ALL cases and improve their prognosis, the development of appropriate human leukemia models having TP53 mutation in the intrinsic gene is required. Here, we sought to introduce R248Q hotspot mutation into the intrinsic TP53 gene in an ALL cell line, 697, by applying a prime editing (PE) system, which is a versatile genome editing technology. The PE2 system uses an artificial fusion of nickase Cas9 and reverse-transcriptase to directly place new genetic information into a target site through a reverse transcriptase template in the prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA). Moreover, in the advanced PE3b system, single guide RNA (sgRNA) matching the edited sequence is also introduced to improve editing efficiency. The initially obtained MDM2 inhibitor-resistant PE3b-transfected subline revealed disrupted p53 transactivation activity, reduced p53 target gene expression, and acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation. Although the majority of the subline acquired the designed R248Q and adjacent silent mutations, the insertion of the palindromic sequence in the scaffold hairpin structure of pegRNA and the overlap of the original genomic DNA sequence were frequently observed. Targeted next-generation sequencing reconfirmed frequent edit errors in both PE2 and PE3b-transfected 697 cells, and it revealed frequent successful edits in HEK293T cells. These observations suggest a requirement for further modification of the PE2 and PE3b systems for accurate editing in leukemic cells.

Extracellular vesicles of Bifidobacterium longum reverse the acquired carboplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells via p53 phosphorylation on Ser15

We previously found that the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium was increased after chemotherapy; however, the role of Bifidobacterium longum in chemotherapeutic drug resistance in ovarian cancer (OVC) remains unclear. This study aimed to understand the potential effects and mechanism of B. longum extracellular vesicles (B. longum-EVs) on carboplatin (CBP) resistance in OVC. Eight normal and 11 ovarian tissues were collected and the expression of B. longum genomic DNA and its association with acquired CBP resistance in OVC patients was determined. After isolating EVs by ultracentrifugation from B. longum (ATCC 15707), CBP-resistant A2780 cells were treated with PBS, CBP, B. longum-EVs, or CBP + B. longum-EVs, and subsequently analyzed by CCK-8, Edu staining, Annexin V/PI double staining, wound healing, and Transwell assays to detect cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, respectively. MRP1, ATP7A, ATP7B, and p53 expression as well as p53 phosphorylation were measured by western blot analysis. S15A mutation of p53 was assessed to examine the potential role of p53 Ser15 phosphorylation in CBP-resistant OVC. B. longum levels were elevated and positively associated with CBP resistance in OVC patients. Only high concentrations of B. longum-EVs attenuated A2780 cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. B. longum-EVs exposure significantly enhanced the sensitivity of CBP-resistant A2780 cells to CBP and decreased the expression of drug resistance-related proteins. The effect of B. longum-EVs on reversing CBP resistance was completely inhibited by S15A mutation of p53. B. longum-EVs enhanced the sensitivity of OVC cells to CBP through p53 phosphorylation on Ser15.

Pesticide-induced alterations in zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior, histology, DNA damage and mRNA expression: An integrated approach

To assess the impact of glyphosate and 2,4-D herbicides, as well as the insecticide imidacloprid, both individually and in combination, the gills of adult zebrafish were used due to their intimate interaction with chemicals diluted in water. Bioassays were performed exposing the animals to the different pesticides and their mixture for 96 h. The behavior of the fish was analyzed, a histological examination of the gills was carried out, and the genotoxic effects were also analyzed by means of the comet assay (CA) and the change in the expression profiles of genes involved in the pathways of the oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. The length traveled and the average speed of the control fish, compared to those exposed to the pesticides and mainly those exposed to the mixture, were significantly greater. All the groups exposed individually exhibited a decrease in thigmotaxis time, indicating a reduction in the behavior of protecting themselves from predators. Histological analysis revealed significant differences in the structures of the gill tissues. The quantification of the histological lesions showed mild lesions in the fish exposed to imidacloprid, moderate to severe lesions for glyphosate, and severe lesions in the case of 2,4-D and the mixture of pesticides. The CA revealed the sensitivity of gill cells to DNA damage following exposure to glyphosate, 2,4-D, imidacloprid and the mixture. Finally, both genes involved in the oxidative stress pathway and those related to the cell apoptosis pathway were overexpressed, while the ogg1 gene, involved in DNA repair, was downregulated.

Validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms potentially related to R-CHOP resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients

Aim: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Despite the availability of clinical and molecular algorithms applied for the prediction of prognosis, in up to 30%-40% of patients, intrinsic or acquired drug resistance occurs. Constitutional genetics may help to predict R-CHOP resistance. This study aimed to validate previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the literature as potential predictors of R-CHOP resistance in DLBCL patients, SNPs. Methods: Twenty SNPs, involved in R-CHOP pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics or other pathobiological processes, were investigated in 185 stage I-IV DLBCL patients included in a multi-institution pharmacogenetic study to validate their previously identified correlations with resistance to R-CHOP. Results: Correlations between rs2010963 (VEGFA gene) and sex (P = 0.046), and rs1625895 (TP53 gene) and stage (P = 0.003) were shown. After multivariate analyses, a concordant effect (i.e., increased risk of disease progression and death) was observed for rs1883112 (NCF4 gene) and rs1800871 (IL10 gene). When patients were grouped according to the revised International Prognostic Index (R-IPI), both these SNPs further discriminated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the R-IPI-1-2 subgroup. Overall, patients harboring the rare allele showed shorter PFS and OS compared with wild-type patients. Conclusions: Two out of the 20 study SNPs were validated. Thus, these results support the role of previously identified rs1883112 and rs1800871 in predicting DLBCL resistance to R-CHOP and highlight their ability to further discriminate the prognosis of R-IPI-1-2 patients. These data point to the need to also focus on host genetics for a more comprehensive assessment of DLBCL patient outcomes in future prospective trials.

Titanium dioxide nanostructure-loaded Adriamycin surmounts resistance in breast cancer therapy: ABCA/P53/C-myc crosstalk

Aim: To clarify the alternation of gene expression responsible for resistance of Adriamycin (ADR) in rats, in addition to investigation of a novel promising drug-delivery system using titanium dioxide nanoparticles loaded with ADR (TiO2-ADR). Method: Breast cancer was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by treatment with ADR (5 mg/kg) or TiO2-ADR (2 mg/kg) for 1 month. Results: Significant improvements in both zinc and calcium levels were observed with TiO2-ADR treatment. Gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter membrane proteins (ABCA1 & ABCG1), P53 and Jak-2 showed a significant reduction and overexpression of the C-myc in breast cancer-induced rats. TiO2-ADR demonstrated a notable ability to upregulate these genes. Conclusion: TiO2-ADR could be a promising drug-delivery system for breast cancer therapy.

It comes from the sea: macroalgae-derived bioactive compounds with anti-cancer potential

Nature derived compounds represent a valuable source of bioactive molecules with enormous potential. The sea is one of the richest environments, full of skilled organisms, where algae stand out due to their unique characteristics. Marine macroalgae adapt their phenotypic characteristics, such as chemical composition, depending on the environmental conditions where they live. The compounds produced by these organisms show tremendous potential to be used in the biomedical field, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer properties.Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, and the lack of effective treatments highlights the urgent need for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review provides an overview of the current advances regarding the anti-cancer activity of the three major groups of marine macroalgae, i.e., red algae (Rhodophyta), brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and green algae (Chlorophyta) on pancreatic, lung, breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, and gastric cancers as well as leukemia and melanoma. In addition, future perspectives, and limitations regarding this field of work are also discussed.

Potential role of p53 deregulation in modulating immune responses in human malignancies: A paradigm to develop immunotherapy

The crucial role played by the oncogenic expression of TP53, stemming from mutation or amyloid formation, in various human malignancies has been extensively studied over the past two decades. Interestingly, the potential role of TP53 as a crucial player in modulating immune responses has provided new insight into the field of cancer biology. The loss of p53's transcriptional functions and/or the acquisition of tumorigenic properties can efficiently modulate the recruitment and functions of myeloid and lymphoid cells, ultimately leading to the evasion of immune responses in human tumors. Consequently, the oncogenic nature of the tumor suppressor p53 can dynamically alter the function of immune cells, providing support for tumor progression and metastasis. This review comprehensively explores the dual role of p53 as both the guardian of the genome and an oncogenic driver, especially in the context of regulation of autophagy, apoptosis, the tumor microenvironment, immune cells, innate immunity, and adaptive immune responses. Additionally, the focus of this review centers on how p53 status in the immune response can be harnessed for the development of tailored therapeutic strategies and their potential application in immunotherapy against human malignancies.

Schiff bases and their metal complexes to target and overcome (multidrug) resistance in cancer

Overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major challenges in cancer therapy. In this respect, Schiff base-related compounds (bearing a R1R2CNR3 bond) gained high interest during the past decades. Schiff bases are considered privileged ligands for various reasons, including the easiness of their preparation and the possibility to form complexes with almost all transition metal ions. Schiff bases and their metal complexes exhibit many types of biological activities and are used for the treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. Until now, 13 Schiff bases have been investigated in clinical trials for cancer treatment and hypoxia imaging. This review represents the first collection of Schiff bases and their complexes which demonstrated MDR-reversal activity. The areas of drug resistance covered in this article involve: 1) Modulation of ABC transporter function, 2) Targeting lysosomal ABCB1 overexpression, 3) Circumvention of ABC transporter-mediated drug efflux by alternative routes of drug uptake, 4) Selective activity against MDR cancer models (collateral sensitivity), 5) Targeting GSH-detoxifying systems, 6) Overcoming apoptosis resistance by inducing necrosis and paraptosis, 7) Reactivation of mutated p53, 8) Restoration of sensitivity to DNA-damaging anticancer therapy, and 9) Overcoming drug resistance through modulation of the immune system. Through this approach, we would like to draw attention to Schiff bases and their metal complexes representing highly interesting anticancer drug candidates with the ability to overcome MDR.

Valproate modulates the activity of multidrug resistance efflux pumps, as a chemoresistance factor in gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance is one of the most critical problems in gastric cancer therapy. This study was performed to investigate the valproic acid effects on the proliferation of sensitive and resistant cell lines of human gastric cancer, and to explore the mechanism of the agent on multi drug resistance and apoptosis genes.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity effect of valproic acid on the EPG85.257 and EPG85.257RDB cells was assessed by the MTT assay, and the IC50 concentration was evaluated. Apoptosis, genotoxicity, and drug resistance pump activity were evaluated using comet assay, Real-time PCR, and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell proliferation was assayed using a scratch test.

RESULTS

Dose-dependent toxicity was recorded after treatment of cells with valproic acid. Valproic acid represented a significant growth inhibition on EPG85.257 cells with IC50 values of 5.84 µM and 4.78 µM after 48 h and 72 h treatment, respectively. In contrast, the drug-resistant counterpart represented 8.7 µM and 7.02 µM IC50 values after the same treatment time. Valproic acid induced PTEN, Bcl2, P53, Bax, P21, and caspase3 expression in EPG85.257 cells, whereas p21, p53, PTEN, and ABCB1 were overexpressed in EPG5.257RDB. Valproic acid hindered cell migration in both cell lines (P < 0.01). Valproate genotoxicity was significantly higher in the parent cells than in their resistant EPG85.257RDB counterparts. Valproate led to a 62% reduction in the daunorubicin efflux of the MDR1 pump activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Valproate can affect drug resistance in gastric cancer via a unique mechanism independent of MDR1 expression.

In vitro activities and mechanisms of action of anti-cancer molecules from African medicinal plants: a systematic review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, African countries have been faced with a rapid increase in morbidity and mortality due to this pathology. Management is often complicated by the high treatment costs, side effects and the increasing occurrence of resistance to treatments. The identification of new active ingredients extracted from endemic medicinal plants is definitively an interesting approach for the implementation of new therapeutic strategies: their extraction is often lower cost; their identification is based on an ethnobotanical history and a tradipratic approach; their use by low-income populations is simpler; this can help in the development of new synthetic molecules that are more active, more effective and with fewer side effects. The objective of this review is to document the molecules derived from African medicinal plants whose in vitro anti-cancer activities and the mechanisms of molecular actions have been identified. From the scientific databases Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar, we searched for publications on compounds isolated from African medicinal plants and having activity on cancer cells in culture. The data were analyzed in particular with regard to the cytotoxicity of the compounds and their mode of action. A total of 90 compounds of these African medicinal plants were selected. They come from nine chemical groups: alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, quinones, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, xanthones and organic sulfides. These compounds have been associated with several cellular effects: i) Cytotoxicity, including caspase activation, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, and/or induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS); ii) Anti-angiogenesis; iii) Anti-metastatic properties. This review points out that the cited African plants are rich in active ingredients with anticancer properties. It also stresses that screening of these anti-tumor active ingredients should be continued at the continental scale. Altogether, this work provides a rational basis for the selection of phytochemical compounds for use in clinical trials.

Bacterial DnaK reduces the activity of anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and 5FU

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is a primary treatment for cancer, but its efficacy is often limited by cancer-associated bacteria (CAB) that impair tumor suppressor functions. Our previous research found that Mycoplasma fermentans DnaK, a chaperone protein, impairs p53 activities, which are essential for most anti-cancer chemotherapeutic responses.

METHODS

To investigate the role of DnaK in chemotherapy, we treated cancer cell lines with M. fermentans DnaK and then with commonly used p53-dependent anti-cancer drugs (cisplatin and 5FU). We evaluated the cells' survival in the presence or absence of a DnaK-binding peptide (ARV-1502). We also validated our findings using primary tumor cells from a novel DnaK knock-in mouse model. To provide a broader context for the clinical significance of these findings, we investigated human primary cancer sequencing datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We identified F. nucleatum as a CAB carrying DnaK with an amino acid composition highly similar to M. fermentans DnaK. Therefore, we investigated the effect of F. nucleatum DnaK on the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin and 5FU.

RESULTS

Our results show that both M. fermentans and F. nucleatum DnaKs reduce the effectiveness of cisplatin and 5FU. However, the use of ARV-1502 effectively restored the drugs' anti-cancer efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings offer a practical framework for designing and implementing novel personalized anti-cancer strategies by targeting specific bacterial DnaKs in patients with poor response to chemotherapy, underscoring the potential for microbiome-based personalized cancer therapies.

Overcoming doxorubicin resistance in triple-negative breast cancer using the class I-targeting HDAC inhibitor bocodepsin/OKI-179 to promote apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with a poor prognosis. Doxorubicin is part of standard curative therapy for TNBC, but chemotherapy resistance remains an important clinical challenge. Bocodepsin (OKI-179) is a small molecule class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that promotes apoptosis in TNBC preclinical models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combination of bocodepsin and doxorubicin in preclinical TNBC models and evaluate the impact on terminal cell fate, including apoptosis and senescence.

METHODS

TNBC cell lines were treated with doxorubicin and CellTiter-Glo was used to assess proliferation and determine doxorubicin sensitivity. Select cell lines were treated with OKI-005 (in vitro version of bocodepsin) and doxorubicin and assessed for proliferation, apoptosis as measured by Annexin V/PI, and cell cycle by flow cytometry. Immunoblotting was used to assess changes in mediators of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and senescence. Senescence was measured by the senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay. An MDA-MB-231 xenograft in vivo model was treated with bocodepsin, doxorubicin, or the combination and assessed for inhibition of tumor growth. shRNA knockdown of p53 was performed in the CAL-51 cell line and proliferation, apoptosis and senescence were assessed in response to combination treatment.

RESULTS

OKI-005 and doxorubicin resulted in synergistic antiproliferative activity in TNBC cells lines regardless of p53 mutation status. The combination led to increased apoptosis and decreased senescence. In vivo, the combination resulted in increased tumor growth inhibition compared to either single agent. shRNA knock-down of p53 led to increased doxorubicin-induced senescence that was decreased with the addition of OKI-005 in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The addition of bocodepsin to doxorubicin resulted in synergistic antiproliferative activity in vitro, improved tumor growth inhibition in vivo, and promotion of apoptosis which makes this a promising combination to overcome doxorubicin resistance in TNBC. Bocodepsin is currently in clinical development and has a favorable toxicity profile compared to other HDAC inhibitors supporting the feasibility of evaluating this combination in patients with TNBC.

Understanding the prion-like behavior of mutant p53 proteins in triple-negative breast cancer pathogenesis: The current therapeutic strategies and future directions

Breast cancer (BC) is viewed as a significant public health issue and is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype that predominantly affects young premenopausal women. The tumor suppressor p53 playsa vital role in the cellular response to DNA damage, and its loss or mutations are commonly present in many cancers, including BC. Recent evidence suggests that mutant p53 proteins can aggregate and form prion-like structures, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of different types of malignancies, such as BC. This review provides an overview of BC molecular subtypes, the epidemiology of TNBC, and the role of p53 in BC development. We also discuss the potential implications of prion-like aggregation in BC and highlight future research directions. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis of the current therapeutic approaches targeting p53 aggregates in BC treatment is presented. Strategies including small molecules, chaperone inhibitors, immunotherapy, CRISPR-Cas9, and siRNA are discussed, along with their potential benefits and drawbacks. The use of these approaches to inhibit p53 aggregation and degradation represents a promising target for cancer therapy. Future investigations into the efficacy of these approaches against various p53 mutations or binding to non-p53 proteins should be conducted to develop more effective and personalized therapies for BC treatment.

Retroperitoneal Sarcomatoid Yolk Sac Tumor in a Chemotherapy-Naive Patient With Testicular Postpubertal Type Teratoma: A Rare Case Report With Emphasis on Molecular Features

Sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor is a very rare histologic type of testicular germ cell tumor and is mainly reported in testicular germ cell tumor patients who receive chemotherapy. Herein, we report an extremely rare concurrent retroperitoneal sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor in a man with a testicular postpuberal teratoma before he received chemotherapy. A 37-year-old man initially presented with a persistent abdominal pain. Subsequent imaging studies revealed a 9.6-cm retroperitoneal mass, and 2 testicular masses (3.1 cm and 0.9 cm in greatest dimension, respectively). His serum tumor markers were within normal ranges. His radical orchiectomy demonstrated a postpubertal type teratoma with an adjacent scarring nodule. Later, his retroperitoneal tumor showed spindle tumor cells embedded in predominantly myxoid and focally fibrous stroma with diffuse and strong immunoreactivity for keratin AE1/AE3, SALL4 and glypican 3. No tumor necrosis or brisk mitotic figures were observed. A diagnosis of sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor was rendered. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of his retroperitoneal sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor revealed polysomy 12 and MYC amplification, whereas no evidence of isochromosome 12p [i(12p)], and DNA sequencing showed 6 mutations per megabase (muts/Mb), and the somatic alterations included ARAF amplification and ATR I774Yfs*5. Considering its rarity, sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor may pose diagnostic challenges. Therefore, relevant clinicoradiologic information and ancillary work up, including immunohistochemistry and molecular studies, may be helpful for the accurate classification. Our tumor further raises awareness of this rare event, expands the spectrum of its clinical presentation, and explores the molecular features.

Doxorubicin catalyses self-assembly of p53 by phase separation

Liquid-liquid phase separation plays a crucial role in cellular physiology, as it leads to the formation of membrane-less organelles in response to various internal stimuli, contributing to various cellular functions. However, the influence of exogenous stimuli on this process in the context of disease intervention remains unexplored. In this current investigation, we explore the impact of doxorubicin on the abnormal self-assembly of p53 using a combination of biophysical and imaging techniques. Additionally, we shed light on the potential mechanisms behind chemoresistance in cancer cells carrying mutant p53. Our findings reveal that doxorubicin co-localizes with both wild-type p53 (WTp53) and its mutant variants. Our in vitro experiments indicate that doxorubicin interacts with the N-terminal-deleted form of WTp53 (WTp53ΔNterm), inducing liquid-liquid phase separation, ultimately leading to protein aggregation. Notably, the p53 variants at the R273 position exhibit a propensity for phase separation even in the absence of doxorubicin, highlighting the destabilizing effects of point mutations at this position. The strong interaction between doxorubicin and p53 variants, along with its localization within the protein condensates, provides a potential explanation for the development of chemotherapy resistance. Collectively, our cellular and in vitro studies emphasize the role of exogenous agents in driving phase separation-mediated p53 aggregation.

Utility or futility? A contemporary approach to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for TP53-mutated MDS/AML

ABSTRACT

TP 53-mutated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are among the most lethal malignancies, characterized by dismal outcomes with currently available therapies. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is widely thought to be the only treatment option to offer durable disease control. However, outcomes with allo-HCT in this context are quite poor, calling into question the utility of transplantation. In this review, we summarize the latest data on allo-HCT outcomes in this subgroup, evaluating the limitations of available evidence; we review the molecular heterogeneity of this disease, delineating outcomes based on distinct biological features to aid in patient selection; and we critically examine whether allo-HCT should be routinely applied in this disease on the basis of currently available data. We propose that the exceptionally poor outcomes of patients with TP53-mutated MDS/AML with biallelic loss and/or adverse-risk cytogenetics should motivate randomized-controlled trials of HCT vs non-HCT to determine whether transplantation can prolong survival and/or positively impact other clinically relevant outcomes such as patient-reported outcomes or healthcare resource utilization in this disease subset. Without dedicated prospective randomized trials, selecting who may actually derive benefit from allo-HCT for TP53-mutated MDS/AML can be described as ambiguous guesswork and must be carefully contemplated.

An overview of the functions of p53 and drugs acting either on wild- or mutant-type p53

TP53, also known as the "guardian of the genome," is an important tumor suppressor gene. It is encoded by the human genome and is associated with the development of diverse cancers. The p53 protein, encoded by TP53, functions in the cell to monitor DNA damage and prompts the cell to respond appropriately. When DNA is damaged, p53 halts the cell cycle, allowing cells to enter the repair state. If the repair is ineffective, p53 induces cell death via apoptosis. This prevents DNA damage transmission during cell division and reduces cancer risk. However, the p53 gene mutation compromises its function. This leads to the inability of cells to respond properly to DNA damage, which may result in cancer development. Mutations in p53 are widespread in diverse cancers, especially highly prevalent cancers, including breast, colon, and lung cancers. Despite the association between p53 mutations and cancer, researchers have discovered drugs and treatments that may reactivate mutated p53 function. Therefore, p53 remains an important area of research in cancer treatment and holds promise as a new direction for cancer therapy. In summary, TP53 is a vital tumor suppressor gene responsible for monitoring DNA damage and prompting cells to respond appropriately. This article summarizes drugs related to p53 and diverse strategies for discovering drugs that act on either wide or mutant p53. Herein, p53 is categorized into two types: wild and mutant type. Drugs are also classified according to diverse treatment strategies, enabling readers to differentiate between the two types of p53 and aiding in selecting the appropriate research direction. Additionally, this review offers a valuable reference for drug design.

Efficacy of Rotundic Acid and Its Derivatives as Promising Natural Anticancer Triterpenoids: A Literature-Based Study

Rotundic acid (RA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene with a multitude of pharmacological activities. The primary emphasis of this study is on summarizing the anticancer properties with the underlying mechanisms of RA and its derivatives, as well as the pharmacokinetic features. Data was collected (up to date as of November 10, 2023) from various reliable and authentic literatures by searching in different academic search engines, including PubMed, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The findings imply that RA and its synthetic derivatives possess promising anti-cancer properties against breast, colorectal, liver, and cervical cancers in various preclinical pharmacological test systems. The results also indicate that RA and its derivatives demonstrated anticancer effects via a number of cellular mechanisms, including apoptotic cell death, inhibition of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effect, cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferative effect, anti-angiogenic effect, and inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion. It has been proposed that RA and its derived compounds have the capability to serve as a hopeful chemotherapeutic agent, so further extensive clinical research is necessary.

Microglia-mediated drug substance transfer promotes chemoresistance in brain tumors: insights from an in vitro co-culture model using GCV/Tk prodrug system

BACKGROUND

It is well known that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play essential roles in brain tumor resistance to chemotherapy. However, the detailed mechanisms of how TAMs are involved in brain tumor resistance are still unclear and lack a suitable analysis model.

METHODS

A BV2 microglial cells with ALTS1C1 astrocytoma cells in vitro co-culture system was used to mimic the microglia dominating tumor stroma in the tumor invasion microenvironment and explore the interaction between microglia and brain tumor cells.

RESULTS

Our result suggested that microglia could form colonies with glioma cells under high-density culturing conditions and protect glioma cells from apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, this study demonstrates that microglia could hijack drug substances from the glioma cells and reduce the drug intensity of ALTS1C1 via direct contact. Inhibition of gap junction protein prevented microglial-glioma colony formation and microglia-mediated chemoresistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides novel insights into how glioma cells acquire chemoresistance via microglia-mediated drug substance transferring, providing a new option for treating chemo-resistant brain tumors.

Transcriptional pausing induced by ionizing radiation enables the acquisition of radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Lesions on the DNA template can impact transcription via distinct regulatory pathways. Ionizing radiation (IR) as the mainstay modality for many malignancies elicits most of the cytotoxicity by inducing a variety of DNA damages in the genome. How the IR treatment alters the transcription cycle and whether it contributes to the development of radioresistance remain poorly understood. Here, we report an increase in the paused RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), as indicated by the phosphorylation at serine 5 residue of its C-terminal domain, in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patient samples after IR treatment and cultured NPC cells developing IR resistance. Reducing the pool of paused RNAPII by either inhibiting TFIIH-associated CDK7 or stimulating the positive transcription elongation factor b, a CDK9-CycT1 heterodimer, attenuates IR resistance of NPC cells. Interestingly, the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of CycT1, which disrupts its phase separation, is elevated in the IR-resistant cells. Mutation of the major poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation sites of CycT1 decreases RNAPII pausing and restores IR sensitivity. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing analyses reveal that several genes involved in radiation response and cell cycle control are subject to the regulation imposed by the paused RNAPII. Particularly, we identify the NIMA-related kinase NEK7 under such regulation as a new radioresistance factor, whose downregulation results in the increased chromosome instability, enabling the development of IR resistance. Overall, our results highlight a novel link between the alteration in the transcription cycle and the acquisition of IR resistance, opening up new opportunities to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and thwart radioresistance in NPC.

Synthesis, DPPH Radical Scavenging, Cytotoxic Activity, and Apoptosis Induction Efficacy of Novel Thiazoles and Bis-thiazoles

BACKGROUND

Heterocyclic materials-containing thiazoles exhibited incredible importance in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug design due to their extensive biological properties.

METHODS

Synthesis of thiazoles and bis-thiazoles from the reaction of 2-((6-Nitrobenzo[ d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide with hydrazonoyl chlorides in dioxane and in the existence of triethylamine as basic catalyst. The antioxidant, in vitro antiproliferative, and cytotoxicity efficacy of thiazoles and bis-thiazoles were measured.

RESULTS

In this work, novel series of 5-methyl-2-(2-(-(6-nitrobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methylene) hydrazinyl)-4-(aryldiazenyl)thiazoles (4a-f) were prepared via the reaction of hydrazonoyl chlorides 2a-f with 2-((6-nitrobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (1) in dioxane and employing triethylamine as basic catalyst. Following the same procedure, bisthiazoles (6, 8, and 10) have been synthesized by utilizing bis-hydrazonoyl chlorides (5, 7, and 9) and carbothioamide 1 in a molar ratio (1:2), respectively. The distinctive features in the structure of isolated products were elucidated by spectroscopic tools and elemental analyses. The antioxidant, in vitro anti-proliferative, cytotoxicity, and anti-cancer efficacy of thiazoles and bis-thiazoles were evaluated. Compounds 4d and 4f were the most potent antioxidant agents. Gene expression of apoptosis markers and fragmentation assay of DNA were assessed to explore the biochemical mechanism of synthesized products. Thiazoles significantly inhibited cell growth and proliferation more than bis-thiazoles. They induced apoptosis through induction of apoptotic gene expression P53 and downregulation of antiapoptotic gene expression Bcl-2. Moreover, they induced fragmentation of DNA in cancer cells, indicating that they could be employed as anticancer agents by inhibiting tumor growth and progression and can be considered effective compounds in the strategy of anti-cancer agents' discovery.

CONCLUSION

Synthesis, DPPH Radical Scavenging, Cytotoxic activity, and Apoptosis Induction Efficacy based on Novel Thiazoles and Bis-thiazoles.

Alteration in the expression of the chemotherapy resistance‑related genes in response to chronic and acute hypoxia in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is currently one of the least curable types of human cancer and remains a key health problem. One of the most important characteristics of pancreatic cancer is its ability to grow under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia is associated with resistance of cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is a major contributor to pancreatic cancer genetic instability, which local and systemic resistance that may result in poor clinical outcome. Accordingly, identifying gene expression changes in cancer resistance genes that occur under hypoxic conditions may identify a new therapeutic target. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between hypoxia and resistance to chemotherapy and determine the alteration in the expression of cancer resistance-related genes in the presence of hypoxia. Pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) were exposed to 8 h hypoxic episodes (<1% oxygen) three times/week for a total of 20 episodes (chronic hypoxia) or 72 h hypoxic episodes twice/week for a total of 10 episodes (acute hypoxia). The alterations in gene expression were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR array compared with normoxic cells. Chemoresistance of hypoxic cells toward doxorubicin was assessed using MTT cell proliferation assay. Both chronic and acute hypoxia induced chemoresistance toward doxorubicin in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell line. The greatest changes occurred in estrogen Receptor Alpha Gene (ESR1) and ETS Like-1 protein (ELK1) pathways, in nucleic transcription factor Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and in a cell cycle inhibitor cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A). The present study demonstrated that exposing cells to prolonged hypoxia results in different gene expression changes involving pleotropic pathways that serve a role in inducing resistance in pancreatic cancer.

A review of genetic variant databases and machine learning tools for predicting the pathogenicity of breast cancer

Studies continue to uncover contributing risk factors for breast cancer (BC) development including genetic variants. Advances in machine learning and big data generated from genetic sequencing can now be used for predicting BC pathogenicity. However, it is unclear which tool developed for pathogenicity prediction is most suited for predicting the impact and pathogenicity of variant effects. A significant challenge is to determine the most suitable data source for each tool since different tools can yield different prediction results with different data inputs. To this end, this work reviews genetic variant databases and tools used specifically for the prediction of BC pathogenicity. We provide a description of existing genetic variants databases and, where appropriate, the diseases for which they have been established. Through example, we illustrate how they can be used for prediction of BC pathogenicity and discuss their associated advantages and disadvantages. We conclude that the tools that are specialized by training on multiple diverse datasets from different databases for the same disease have enhanced accuracy and specificity and are thereby more helpful to the clinicians in predicting and diagnosing BC as early as possible.

Discovery of New Anti-Cancer Agents against Patient-Derived Sorafenib-Resistant Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is the most well-known type of endocrine cancer that is easily treatable and can be completely cured in most cases. Nonetheless, anti-cancer drug-resistant metastasis or recurrence may occur and lead to the failure of cancer therapy, which eventually leads to the death of a patient with cancer. This study aimed to detect novel thyroid cancer target candidates based on validating and identifying one of many anti-cancer drug-resistant targets in patient-derived sorafenib-resistant papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). We focused on targeting the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) in patient-derived sorafenib-resistant PTC cells compared with patient-derived sorafenib-sensitive PTC cells. We discovered novel SERCA inhibitors (candidates 33 and 36) by virtual screening. These candidates are novel SERCA inhibitors that lead to remarkable tumor shrinkage in a xenograft tumor model of sorafenib-resistant patient-derived PTC cells. These results are clinically valuable for the progression of novel combinatorial strategies that facultatively and efficiently target extremely malignant cancer cells, such as anti-cancer drug-resistant PTC cells.

The RioK1 network determines p53 activity at multiple levels

By responding to a host of adverse conditions, ranging from DNA damage to viral infection, transcription factor p53 supports genomic stability, cellular health, and survival. Not surprisingly, tumours across the cancer spectrum carry mutations in p53, misexpress the protein, or dysregulate its activity. Several signalling pathways, many of which comprise oncogenic proteins, converge upon p53 to control its stability and activity. We here present the conserved kinase/ATPase RioK1 as an upstream factor that determines p53 activity at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. It achieves this task by integrating the regulatory events that act on p53 into a coherent response circuit. We will also discuss how RIOK1 overexpression represents an alternative mechanism for cancers to inactivate p53, and how targeting RioK1 could eradicate malignancies that are driven by a dysregulated RioK1-p53 network.

Resveratrol induces the production of reactive oxygen species, interferes with the cell cycle, and inhibits the cell migration of bladder tumour cells with different TP53 status

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound whose antitumor activity has been demonstrated in several types of cancer. However, there are few studies on its molecular mechanisms of action in bladder cancer. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate resveratrol activity in bladder tumour cells with different TP53 gene status. Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell migration, mutagenicity, and CDH1, CTNNBIP1, HAT1, HDAC1, MYC, and SMAD4 gene expression were evaluated. An increase in ROS after resveratrol treatment was accompanied by reduced cell viability and proliferation in all cell lines. In TP53 wild-type cells, the inhibition of cell migration was accompanied by CDH1 and SMAD4 modulation. In TP53 mutated cells, cell migration inhibition with CDH1 and CTNNB1P1 upregulation was observed. In conclusion, resveratrol has antiproliferative effect in bladder tumour cells and its mechanism of action occurred through ROS production, interference with cell cycle, and inhibition of cell migration, independent of TP53 status.

Heterogeneous Cellular Response of Primary and Metastatic Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines to Magnoflorine and Its Additive Interaction with Docetaxel

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study, the anticancer action of magnoflorine isolated via counter-current chromatography from the methanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris root against gastric cancer in models of primary ACC-201 and AGS and metastatic MKN-74 and NCI-N87 cell lines was analyzed. Cell viability and proliferation were tested through the use of MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry. The interaction of magnoflorine and docetaxel has been examined through isobolographic analysis. Moreover, potential toxicity was verified in zebrafish in an in vivo model. Gastric cancer cell lines revealed different responses to magnoflorine treatment with regard to viability/proliferation, apoptosis induction and cell cycle inhibition without any undesirable changes in the development of larval zebrafish at the tested concentrations. What is more, magnoflorine in combination with docetaxel produced an additive pharmacological interaction in all studied gastric cancer cell lines, which may suggest a complementary mechanism of action of both compounds. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for the possibility of magnoflorine as a potential therapeutic approach for gastric cancer and merits further investigation, which may pave the way for clinical uses of magnoflorine.

Correlation Analysis of the TP53 Mutation With Clinical Characteristics in the Prognosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with TP53 mutations has a worse prognosis. It was generally more resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between the TP53 co-mutated gene and clinical features, and prognostic value in patients with NSCLC.

Methods

Seventy-three patients with a diagnosis of NSCLC at our hospital were recruited. They were divided into the TP53 mutation status (minor) (TP53 MU) and TP53 wild-type (major) (TP53 WT) groups according to their clinical characteristics after their mutation data and clinical information were collected. Serum markers were compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U test. Other clinical factors were compared between groups using χ2 test and Fisher exact test. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves.

Results

Of the 73 patients with NSCLC, 37 (50.68%) were found to carry TP53 mutation. TP53 MU and TP53 WT groups (n = 36) showed a significant difference in the number of smokers, incidence of squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR mutation, and number of advanced patients (P < .05), while gender, age, lymph node metastasis, and KRAS mutation did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The survival curves in the TP53/KRAS and the TP53/EGFR co-mutation groups suggest that patients with NSCLC may have a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) if they carry one of the 2 types of co-mutation.

Conclusions

TP53 gene mutations are more common in patients with NSCLC and squamous cell carcinoma. New predictive markers for NSCLC prognosis may be TP53/KRAS and TP53/EGFR co-mutations.

Systems Biology and Cytokines Potential Role in Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Targeting Autophagic Axis

Lung cancer accounts for the highest number of deaths among men and women worldwide. Although extensive therapies, either alone or in conjunction with some specific drugs, continue to be the principal regimen for evolving lung cancer, significant improvements are still needed to understand the inherent biology behind progressive inflammation and its detection. Unfortunately, despite every advancement in its treatment, lung cancer patients display different growth mechanisms and continue to die at significant rates. Autophagy, which is a physiological defense mechanism, serves to meet the energy demands of nutrient-deprived cancer cells and sustain the tumor cells under stressed conditions. In contrast, autophagy is believed to play a dual role during different stages of tumorigenesis. During early stages, it acts as a tumor suppressor, degrading oncogenic proteins; however, during later stages, autophagy supports tumor cell survival by minimizing stress in the tumor microenvironment. The pivotal role of the IL6-IL17-IL23 signaling axis has been observed to trigger autophagic events in lung cancer patients. Since the obvious roles of autophagy are a result of different immune signaling cascades, systems biology can be an effective tool to understand these interconnections and enhance cancer treatment and immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on how systems biology can be exploited to target autophagic processes that resolve inflammatory responses and contribute to better treatment in carcinogenesis.

Insights into molecular docking and dynamics to reveal therapeutic potential of natural compounds against P53 protein

P53 is eminent tumour suppressor protein that plays a prominent role in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, senescence, differentiation and initiation of apoptosis. P53 is an attractive drug target and the high toxicity of some cancer chemotherapy drugs increase the demand for new anti-cancer drugs from natural products. In this current scenario, identification of promising anticancer compounds from natural sources by repurposing approach is still relevant for the early prevention and effective management of cancer. In present study, we docked natural compounds like podophyllotoxin, quercetin and rutin along standard drugs (MG-132 and Bay 61-3606) against p53 protein. ADME/T analysis predicted toxicity of phytochemicals and drugs. In silico docking analysis of podophyllotoxin, quercetin and rutin gave HDOCK docking scores of -187.87, -148. 97 and -143.85, whereas control drugs MG-132 and Bay 61-3606 showed docking scores of -159.59 and -140.71 against p53 respectively. AutoDock analysis of rutin and MG-132 showed highest binding affinity scores of -7.3 and -6.8 kcal/mol against p53. Molecular dynamic simulation for p53 protein displayed stable conformation and convergence. In this study, P53-rutin complex showed free binding energy score of 11.84 kcal/mol and P53-MG-132 complex reported free energy score of 16.3 kcal/mol. Protein contacts atlas gives non-covalent contacts framework by exploring interfaces of individual subunits and protein-ligand interactions. STRING tool predicts physical and functional interactions between proteins. The results of this study revealed that rutin and MG-132 could be promising inhibitors against targeted p53 protein and this could prove detrimental for molecular therapeutics and drug-designing strategies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A Law of Redundancy Compounds the Problem of Cancer and Precision Medicine

Genetics and molecular biology research have progressed for over a century; however, no laws of biology resembling those of physics have been identified, despite the expectations of some physicists. It may be that it is not the properties of matter alone but evolved properties of matter in combination with atomic physics and chemistry that gave rise to the origin and complexity of life. It is proposed that any law of biology must also be a product of evolution that co-evolved with the origin and progression of life. It was suggested that molecular complexity and redundancy exponentially increase over time and have the following relationship: DNA sequence complexity (Cd) < molecular complexity (Cm) < phenotypic complexity (Cp). This study presents a law of redundancy, which together with the law of complexity, is proposed as an evolutionary law of biology. Molecular complexity and redundancy are inseparable aspects of biochemical pathways, and molecular redundancy provides the first line of defense against environmental challenges, including those of deleterious mutations. Redundancy can create problems for precision medicine because in addition to the issues arising from the involvement of multiple genes, redundancy arising from alternate pathways between genotypes and phenotypes can complicate gene detection for complex diseases and mental disorders. This study uses cancer as an example to show how cellular complexity, molecular redundancy, and hidden variation affect the ability of cancer cells to evolve and evade detection and elimination. Characterization of alternate biochemical pathways or "escape routes" can provide a step in the fight against cancer.

USP39 attenuates the antitumor activity of cisplatin on colon cancer cells dependent on p53

Cisplatin is the effective chemotherapeutic drug in colon cancer treatment, but its therapeutic efficacy is limited by intrinsic or acquired drug resistance and detrimental side effects. Therefore, improving the effect of cisplatin chemotherapy remains a great challenge. The previous study identified that USP39 was relevant to cisplatin resistance of lung cancer. However, the function and mechanisms of USP39 regulating the chemosensitivity of cisplatin in colorectal cancer remain unclear. In this study, we reveal that USP39 is associated with colon cancer cells sensitivity to cisplatin. Depletion of USP39 enhances the cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells. Conversely, overexpression of USP39 attenuates apoptosis in RKO cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that USP39 depletion promotes apoptosis induced by cisplatin, which is related with the induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage response. Further studies show that USP39 regulates cisplatin-induced apoptosis dependent on p53. The underlying mechanism is demonstrated by knocking down USP39, that results in p53 upregulation, associated with its prolonged half-life. Collectively, our findings reveal that USP39 might be a negative factor of the p53 mediated cisplatin sensitivity of colon cancer, and suggest USP39 as a potential molecular target for cisplatin chemotherapy of colon cancer.

Molecular determinants of the response of cancer cells towards geldanamycin and its derivatives

Geldanamycin is an ansamycin-derivative of a benzoquinone isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. It inhibits tyrosine kinases and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Geldanamycin and 11 derivatives were subjected to molecular docking to HSP90, and 17-desmethoxy-17-N,N-dimethylamino-geldanamycin (17-DMAG) was the compound with the highest binding affinity (-7.73 ± 0.12 kcal/mol) and the lowest inhibition constant (2.16 ± 0.49 μM). Therefore, 17-DMAG was selected for further experiments in comparison to geldanamycin. Multidrug resistance (MDR) represents a major problem for successful cancer therapy. We tested geldanamycin and 17-DMAG against various drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Although geldanamycin and 17-DMAG inhibited the proliferation in all cell lines tested, multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein-overexpressing CEM/ADR5000 cells were cross-resistant, ΔEGFR-overexpressing tumor cells and p53 knockout cells were sensitive to these two compounds. COMPARE and hierarchical cluster analyses were performed, and 60 genes were identified to predict the sensitivity or resistance of 59 NCI tumor cell lines towards geldanamycin and 17-DMAG. The distribution of cell lines according to their mRNA expression profiles indicated sensitivity or resistance to both compounds with statistical significance. Moreover, bioinformatic tools were used to study possible mechanisms of action of geldanamycin and 17-DMAG. Galaxy Cistrome analyses were carried out to predict transcription factor binding motifs in the promoter regions of the candidate genes. Interestingly, the NF-ĸB DNA binding motif (Rel) was identified as the top transcription factor. Furthermore, these 60 genes were subjected to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to study the signaling pathway interactions of these genes. Interestingly, IPA also revealed the NF-ĸB pathway as the top network among these genes. Finally, NF-ĸB reporter assays confirmed the bioinformatic prediction, and both geldanamycin and 17-DMAG significantly inhibited NF-κB activity after exposure for 24 h. In conclusion, geldanamycin and 17-DMAG exhibited cytotoxic activity against different tumor cell lines. Their activity was not restricted to HSP90 but indicated an involvement of the NF-KB pathway.

Molecular basis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer: A comprehensive review

Prostate cancer is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in male patients. The incidence increases with age, and it is higher among African Americans. The occurrence of prostate cancer is associated with many risk factors, including genetic and hereditary predisposition. The most common genetic syndromes associated with prostate cancer risk are BRCA-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome. Local-regional therapy, i.e., surgery is beneficial in early-stage prostate cancer management. Advanced and metastatic prostate cancers require systemic therapies, including hormonal inhibition, chemotherapy, and targeted agents. Most prostate cancers can be treated by targeting the androgen-receptor pathway and decreasing androgen production or binding to androgen receptors (AR). Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) usually involves the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and requires targeted therapy. Specific molecular therapy can target mutated cell lines in which DNA defect repair is altered, caused by mutations of BRCA2, partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or the transmembrane protease serine 2-ERG (TMPRSS2-ERG) fusion. Most benefits were demonstrated in cyclin dependent-kinase 12 (CDK12) mutated cell lines when treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) therapy. Therapies targeting p53 and AKT are the subject of ongoing clinical trials. Many genetic defects are listed as diagnostic, prognostic, and clinically actionable markers in prostate cancer. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) is an important oncogenic driver and an early diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a therapeutic target in hormone-resistant CRPC. This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms and available targeted therapies for prostate cancer.

Anticancer effect of polyphenolic acid enriched fractions from Grewia bracteata Roth on tumor cells and their p53 gene independent ROS mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells

It is the first report on leaves of Grewia bracteata Roth for its anticancer effect. In this study, three polarity-guided solvent extracts of Grewia bracteata leaves from n-hexane (GLH), ethyl acetate (GLE), and methanol (GLM) were screened for anticancer effects on HeLa, HCT-116, MCF-7, HCT-116 p53-/- and PC-3 cells via methyl thiazoldiphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Based on the results, GLM was fractionated, and the obtained fractions were tested on HCT-116 cells. Further, FT-IR, HPLC analysis, clonogenic assay, wound healing assay, DCFDA, and cell cycle experiments were conducted on HCT-116 cells. The extracts from methanol (GLM) and ethyl-acetate (GLE) demonstrated a more selective and promising inhibition on HCT-116 cells than others. Notably, GLM recorded superior inhibition on HCT-116 p53-/- than GLE. Amongst, the methanol column fraction (GMCF) showed prominent inhibition on HCT-116 (IC50:63.55 ± 0.61 μg/ml) and HCT-116 p53-/- (IC50: 84.51 ± 0.58 μg/ml) cells. Further, the test on normal cells (NKE) revealed minimal toxicity of GMCF. The phytochemical test, FT-IR, HPLC, and LC-HRMS analyses confirmed the high abundance of polyphenolic acid/polyphenols in GMCF. Further, the clonogenic and wound healing assays on HCT-116 cells were also performed. Later, the probable cell death mechanism was identified using DCFDA and cell cycle experiments. These experiments disclosed that GMCF induced HCT-116 cell death was probably due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) upregulation and cells cycle arrest at SubG0 phase. It inferred that the activity is most probably p53 independent, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for drug resistance in colon cancer.

Emerging platinum(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics: A new epoch for platinum-based cancer therapy

Owing to the unique DNA damaging cytotoxicity, platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy has long been the first-line choice for clinical oncology. Unfortunately, Pt drugs are restricted by the severe dose-dependent toxicity and drug resistance. Correspondingly, Pt(IV) prodrugs are developed with the aim to improve the antitumor performance of Pt drugs. However, as "free" molecules, Pt(IV) prodrugs are still subject to unsatisfactory in vivo destiny and antitumor efficacy. Recently, Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics, inheriting both the merits of Pt(IV) prodrugs and nanotherapeutics, have emerged and demonstrated the promise to address the underexploited dilemma of Pt-based cancer therapy. Herein, we summarize the latest fronts of emerging Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics. First, the basic outlines of Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics are overviewed. Afterwards, how versatile Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics overcome the multiple biological barriers of antitumor drug delivery is introduced in detail. Moreover, advanced combination therapies based on multimodal Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics are discussed with special emphasis on the synergistic mechanisms. Finally, prospects and challenges of Pt(IV) prodrug nanotherapeutics for future clinical translation are spotlighted.

The Triple Crown: NO, CO, and H2S in cancer cell biology

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are three endogenously produced gases with important functions in the vasculature, immune defense, and inflammation. It is increasingly apparent that, far from working in isolation, these three exert many effects by modulating each other's activity. Each gas is produced by three enzymes, which have some tissue specificities and can also be non-enzymatically produced by redox reactions of various substrates. Both NO and CO share similar properties, such as activating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. At the same time, H2S both inhibits phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A), an enzyme that metabolizes sGC and exerts redox regulation on sGC. The role of NO, CO, and H2S in the setting of cancer has been quite perplexing, as there is evidence for both tumor-promoting and pro-inflammatory effects and anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Each gasotransmitter has been found to have dual effects on different aspects of cancer biology, including cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation. These seemingly contradictory actions may relate to each gas having a dual effect dependent on its local flux. In this review, we discuss the major roles of NO, CO, and H2S in the context of cancer, with an effort to highlight the dual nature of each gas in different events occurring during cancer progression.

Lineage Plasticity and Stemness Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer: Harnessing the Power of Integrated "Omics" Approaches to Explore Measurable Metrics

Prostate cancer (PCa), the most frequent and second most lethal cancer type in men in developed countries, is a highly heterogeneous disease. PCa heterogeneity, therapy resistance, stemness, and lethal progression have been attributed to lineage plasticity, which refers to the ability of neoplastic cells to undergo phenotypic changes under microenvironmental pressures by switching between developmental cell states. What remains to be elucidated is how to identify measurements of lineage plasticity, how to implement them to inform preclinical and clinical research, and, further, how to classify patients and inform therapeutic strategies in the clinic. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of next-generation sequencing technologies in identifying potential biomarkers associated with lineage plasticity. Here, we review the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic events that have been described in PCa and highlight those with significance for lineage plasticity. We further focus on their relevance in PCa research and their benefits in PCa patient classification. Finally, we explore ways in which bioinformatic analyses can be used to determine lineage plasticity based on large omics analyses and algorithms that can shed light on upstream and downstream events. Most importantly, an integrated multiomics approach may soon allow for the identification of a lineage plasticity signature, which would revolutionize the molecular classification of PCa patients.

The p53 reactivator PRIMA-1MET synergises with 5-fluorouracil to induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies; p53 is mutated in approximately 75% of PC patients. Hence, the protein derived from mutant/wild-type TP53 may represent a therapeutic target. Interestingly, a p53 reactivator (PRIMA-1MET) showed promise in clinical trials of haematological malignancies; therefore, it warrants an in vitro evaluation in PC cell lines. To evaluate the antiproliferative effects of PRIMA-1MET, either alone or combined with the common chemotherapy 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), against mutated and wild-type p53 PC cell lines. This study involved p53-mutant (AsPC-1) and p53-wild type (Capan-2) PC cell lines. The cytotoxicity of PRIMA-1MET alone or in combination with 5-FU was evaluated by MTT assay. Synergism was assessed by calculating the combination index (CI) via CalcuSyn software. Fluorescence microscopy was used to analyse apoptosis following acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Morphological changes were investigated with an inverted microscope. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT‒qPCR) was used to measure gene expression. Both PC cell lines were sensitive to PRIMA-1MET monotherapy. Furthermore, PRIMA-1MET and 5-FU had a synergistic effect (CI < 1), reflected by significant enhancement of apoptosis and morphological changes in the combination vs. monotherapy treatments. Moreover, the RT‒qPCR results indicated increased expression of the NOXA and TP73 genes in combination-treated cells. Our data suggested that PRIMA-1MET, whether alone or combined with 5-FU, has an antiproliferative effect on PC cell lines regardless of p53 mutational status. The synergism of the combination was associated with significant apoptosis induction through p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. Preclinical confirmation of these data in in vivo models is highly recommended.

MDM2 Inhibition in the Treatment of Glioblastoma: From Concept to Clinical Investigation

Inhibition of the interaction between MDM2 and p53 has emerged as a promising strategy for combating cancer, including the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Numerous MDM2 inhibitors have been developed and are currently undergoing rigorous testing for their potential in GBM therapy. Encouraging results from studies conducted in cell culture and animal models suggest that MDM2 inhibitors could effectively treat a specific subset of GBM patients with wild-type TP53 or functional p53. Combination therapy with clinically established treatment modalities such as radiation and chemotherapy offers the potential to achieve a more profound therapeutic response. Furthermore, an increasing array of other molecularly targeted therapies are being explored in combination with MDM2 inhibitors to increase the effects of individual treatments. While some MDM2 inhibitors have progressed to early phase clinical trials in GBM, their efficacy, alone and in combination, is yet to be confirmed. In this article, we present an overview of MDM2 inhibitors currently under preclinical and clinical investigation, with a specific focus on the drugs being assessed in ongoing clinical trials for GBM patients.

TP53 Mutations in AML Patients Are Associated with Dismal Clinical Outcome Irrespective of Frontline Induction Regimen and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

TP53 mutations are associated with extremely poor outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The outcomes of patients with TP53-mutated (TP53^MUT) AML after different frontline treatment modalities are not well established. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative procedure for AML; however, long-term outcomes among patients with TP53^MUT AML after allo-HCT are dismal, and the benefit of allo-HCT remains controversial. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients with TP53^MUT AML after treatment with different frontline induction therapies and allo-HCT. A total of 113 patients with TP53^MUT AML were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with TP53^MUT AML who received intensive or azacitidine-venetoclax induction had higher complete remission rates compared to patients treated with other hypomethylating-agent-based induction regimens. However, OS and EFS were not significantly different among the induction regimen groups. Allo-HCT was associated with improved OS and EFS among patients with TP53^MUT AML; however, allo-HCT was not significantly associated with improved OS or EFS in time-dependent or landmark analysis. While the outcomes of all patients were generally poor irrespective of therapeutic strategy, transplanted patients with lower TP53^MUT variant allele frequency (VAF) at the time of diagnosis had superior outcomes compared to transplanted patients with higher TP53 VAF. Our study provides further evidence that the current standards of care for AML confer limited therapeutic benefit to patients with TP53 mutations.

Musashi-2 (MSI2) regulation of DNA damage response in lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancers worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), typically caused by KRAS and TP53 driver mutations, represents the majority of all new lung cancer diagnoses. Overexpression of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Musashi-2 (MSI2) has been associated with NSCLC progression. To investigate the role of MSI2 in NSCLC development, we compared the tumorigenesis in mice with lung-specific Kras -activating mutation and Trp53 deletion, with and without Msi2 deletion (KP versus KPM2 mice). KPM2 mice showed decreased lung tumorigenesis in comparison with KP mice what supports published data. In addition, using cell lines from KP and KPM2 tumors, and human NSCLC cell lines, we found that MSI2 directly binds ATM/Atm mRNA and regulates its translation. MSI2 depletion impaired DNA damage response (DDR) signaling and sensitized human and murine NSCLC cells to treatment with PARP inhibitors in vitro and in vivo . Taken together, we conclude that MSI2 supports lung tumorigenesis, in part, by direct positive regulation of ATM protein expression and DDR. This adds the knowledge of MSI2 function in lung cancer development. Targeting MSI2 may be a promising strategy to treat lung cancer.

Significance

This study shows the novel role of Musashi-2 as regulator of ATM expression and DDR in lung cancer.

Kidney cell culture Macaca fascicularis as a candidate for vaccine development and in vitro model

BACKGROUND

Cell culture is the proliferation of a cell population in vitro by isolating from the original tissue or growing from existing ones. One essential source is the monkey kidney cell cultures which have an essential role in biomedical study. This is due to the significant homology between the human and macaque genomes making these useful for cultivating human viruses, especially enteroviruses, and growing vaccines.

METHODS

This study developed cell cultures derived from the kidney of Macaca fascicularis (Mf) and validated its gene expression.

RESULTS

The primary cultures were successfully subcultured up to six passages, grew as monolayers, and exhibited epithelial-like morphology. The cultured cells remained heterogeneous in phenotype and they expressed CD155 and CD46 as viral receptors, cell morphology (CD24, endosialin, and vWF), proliferation, also apoptosis markers (Ki67 and p53).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that the cell cultures can be used as in vitro model cells for vaccine development and bioactive compound.