Repurposing the anti-malarial drug dihydroartemisinin suppresses metastasis of non-small-cell lung cancer via inhibiting NF-κB/GLUT1 axis

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits HNSCC invasion and migration by controlling miR-195-5p expression

Objectives

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an artemisinin derivative extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua, has the potential to suppress head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of DHA on tumor invasion and migration.

Methods

Human HNSCC cell lines CAL-27 and FaDu were exposed to varying DHA concentrations (0, 5, 20, and 80 μM) for 24 h. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were assessed using CCK8, transwell, and wound-healing assays, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression levels of the target genes and proteins.

Results

DHA suppressed the invasion and migration of CAL-27 and FaDu cells. Additionally, miR-195-5p suppressed the invasion and migration of HNSCC cells. This study revealed significant differences in the expression of miR-195-5p and TENM2 between clinical samples and multiple public databases. DHA treatment and miR-195-5p overexpression significantly reduced TENM2 expression in HNSCC cells, which suggested that miR-195-5p overexpression enhanced the inhibitory effect of DHA on TENM2.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence that DHA inhibits cell invasion and migration by regulating the miR-195-5p/TENM2 axis in HNSCC cells, suggesting it as a potentially effective treatment strategy for HNSCC.

Target prediction and potential application of dihydroartemisinin on hepatocarcinoma treatment

With high incidence of hepatocarcinoma and limited effective treatments, most patients suffer in pain. Antitumor drugs are single-targeted, toxicity, causing adverse side effects and resistance. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibits tumor through multiple mechanisms effectively. This study explores and evaluates safety and potential mechanism of DHA towards human hepatocarcinoma based on network pharmacology in a comprehensive way. Adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties of DHA were evaluated with pkCSM, SwissADME, and ADMETlab. Potential targets of DHA were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction, Drugbank, TargetNET, and PharmMapper. Target gene of hepatocarcinoma was obtained from OMIM, GeneCards, and DisGeNET. Overlapping targets and hub genes were identified and analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway. Molecular docking was utilized to investigate the interactions sites and hydrogen bonds. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), wound healing, invasion, and migration assays on HepG2 and SNU387 cell proved DHA inhibits malignant biological features of hepatocarcinoma cell. DHA is safe and desirable for clinical application. A total of 131 overlapping targets were identified. Biofunction analysis showed targets were involved in kinase activity, protein phosphorylation, intracellular reception, signal transduction, transcriptome dysregulation, PPAR pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling axis. Top 9 hub genes were obtained using MCC (Maximal Clique Centrality) algorithm, namely CDK1, CCNA2, CCNB1, CCNB2, KIF11, CHEK1, TYMS, AURKA, and TOP2A. Molecular docking suggests that all hub genes form a stable interaction with DHA for optimal binding energy were all less than - 5 kcal/mol. Dihydroartemisinin might be a potent and safe anticarcinogen based on its biological safety and effective therapeutic effect.

Synthesis and spectroscopic study of novel mixed ligand formula "Artemisinin/Zn" and assessment of its inhibitory effect against "SARS-CoV-2″

Background

Herein, a newly synthesised mixed ligand artemisinin/zinc (Art/Zn) is chemically characterised and examined against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

The synthesised complex was thoroughly characterised using various spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV and XRD). Its surface morphology and chemical purity were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The synthesised Art/Zn complex was tested for its inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 using inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) and cytotoxicity concentration 50 (CC₅₀).

Results

The results reveal that the Art/Zn complex exhibits a moderate in vitro inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2, with a CC₅₀ index of 213.6 μg/ml and an IC50 index of 66.79 μg/ml. Notably, it exhibits the inhibitory effect (IC₅₀ = 66.79 μg/ml) at a very low concentration without any observable cytotoxic effects on host cells (CC₅₀ = 213.6 μg/ml). Its mode of action against SARS-CoV-2 involves inhibiting the viral replication. The predicted target classes that Art/Zn may affect include kinases, which can regulate and inhibit the viral replication and binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor and the main protease inhibitor (M^Pro), thereby inhibiting the activity of SARS-CoV-2 and proved by the molecular dynamics simulation.

Conclusion

We recommend using the Art/Zn complex owing to its moderate inhibitory and antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2 with a low cytotoxic effect on host (Vero E6) cells. We suggest conducting further prospective studies to investigate the biological effects of Art/Zn in animal models at different concentrations for testing its clinical efficacy and safety in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 activities.

Anticancer Activity and Molecular Mechanisms of an Ursodeoxycholic Acid Methyl Ester-Dihydroartemisinin Hybrid via a Triazole Linkage in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third most common cause of cancer-related death according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an antimalarial drug, has been reported to exhibit anticancer activity but with a short half-life. We synthesized a series of bile acid-dihydroartemisinin hybrids to improve its stability and anticancer activity and demonstrated that an ursodeoxycholic-DHA (UDC-DHA) hybrid was 10-fold more potent than DHA against HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anticancer activity and investigate the molecular mechanisms of UDCMe-Z-DHA, a hybrid of ursodeoxycholic acid methyl ester and DHA via a triazole linkage. We found that UDCMe-Z-DHA was even more potent than UDC-DHA in HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ of 1 μM. Time course experiments and stability in medium determined by cell viability assay as well as HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed that UDCMe-Z-DHA was more stable than DHA, which in part accounted for the increased anticancer activity. Mechanistic studies revealed that UDCMe-Z-DHA caused G0/G1 arrest and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential loss and autophagy, which may in turn lead to apoptosis. Compared to DHA, UDCMe-Z-DHA displayed much lower cytotoxicity toward normal cells. Thus, UDCMe-Z-DHA may be a potential drug candidate for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Drug Repurposing in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Old Solutions for New Problems

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2022. The majority (80%) of lung cancer cases belong to the non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) subtype. Despite the increased screening efforts, the median five-year survival of metastatic NSCLC remains low at approximately 3%. Common treatment approaches for NSCLC include surgery, multimodal chemotherapy, and concurrent radio and chemotherapy. NSCLC exhibits high rates of resistance to treatment, driven by its heterogeneity and the plasticity of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Drug repurposing offers a faster and cheaper way to develop new antineoplastic purposes for existing drugs, to help overcome therapy resistance. The decrease in time and funds needed stems from the availability of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to be repurposed. This review provides a synopsis of the drug-repurposing approaches and mechanisms of action of potential candidate drugs used in treating NSCLC, including but not limited to antihypertensives, anti-hyperlipidemics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-diabetics, and anti-microbials.

Nano Strategies for Artemisinin Derivatives to Enhance Reverse Efficiency of Multidrug Resistance in Breast Cancer

Artemisinin (ART) has been found to exert anti-tumor activity by regulating the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor invasion and metastasis. Its derivatives (ARTs) can regulate the expression of drug-resistant proteins and reverse the multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells by inhibiting intracellular drug efflux, inducing apoptosis and autophagy of tumor cells, thus enhancing the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recent studies have shown that nanodrugs play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, which can effectively solve the shortcomings of poor hydrophilicity and low bioavailability of ARTs in the human body, prolong the in vivo circulation time, improve the targeting of drugs (including tumor tissues or specific organelles), and control the release of drugs in target tissues, thereby reducing the side effect. This review systematically summarized the latest research progress of nano-strategies of ARTs to enhance the efficiency of MDR reversal in breast cancer (BC) from the following two aspects: (1) Chemicals encapsulated in nanomaterials based on innovative anti-proliferation mechanism: non-ABC transporter receptor candidate related to ferroptosis (dihydroartemisinin/DHA analogs). (2) Combination therapy strategy of nanomedicine (drug-drug combination therapy, drug-gene combination, and chemical-physical therapy). Self-assembled nano-delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy through increased drug loading, rapid reactive release, optimized delivery sequence, and realization of cascade-increasing effects. New nanotechnology methods must be designed for specific delivery routines to achieve targeting administration and overcome MDR without affecting normal cells. The significance of this review is to expect that ART and ARTs can be widely used in clinical practice. In the future, nanotechnology can help people to treat multidrug resistance of breast cancer more accurately and efficiently.

Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand

Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.

Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase as a Therapeutic Target of Dihydroartemisinin for Esophageal Squamous Cancer

Objective: To elucidate the oncogenic role of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in esophageal squamous cancer and unravel the therapeutic role and molecular mechanism of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) by targeting hTERT. Methods: The expression of hTERT in esophageal squamous cancer and the patients prognosis were analyzed by bioinformatic analysis from TCGA database, and further validated with esophageal squamous cancer tissues in our cohort. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of esophageal squamous cancer cell lines (Eca109, KYSE150, and TE1) after hTERT overexpression or treated with indicated concentrations of DHA. Transwell migration assay and scratch assay were employed to determine the migration abilities of cancer cells. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were conducted to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cancer cells after treated with DHA. Moreover, RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to test the alteration of associated genes on mRNA and protein level in DHA treated esophageal squamous cancer cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, tumor-bearing nude mice were employed to evaluate the anticancer effect of DHA in vivo. Results: We found that hTERT was significantly upregulated in esophageal squamous cancer both from TCGA database and our cohort also. Overexpression of hTERT evidently promoted the proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, DHA could significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cell lines Eca109, KYSE150, and TE1 in vitro, and significantly down-regulate the expression of hTERT on both mRNA and protein level in a time- and dose-dependent manner as well. Further studies showed that DHA could induce intracellular ROS production in esophageal cancer cells and down-regulate SP1 expression, a transcription factor that bound to the promoter region of hTERT gene. Moreover, overexpression of SP1 evidently promoted the proliferation and migration of Eca109 and TE1 cells. Intriguingly, rescue experiments showed that inhibiting ROS by NAC alleviated the downregulation of SP1 and hTERT in cells treated with DHA. Furthermore, overexpression of SP1 or hTERT could attenuate the inhibition effect of DHA on the proliferation and migration of Eca109 cells. In tumor-bearing nude mice model, DHA significantly inhibited the growth of esophageal squamous cancer xenografts, and downregulated the expression of SP1 and hTERT protein, while no side effects were observed from heart, kidney, liver, and lung tissues by HE stain. Conclusion: hTERT plays an oncogenic role in esophageal squamous cancer and might be a therapeutic target of DHA through regulating ROS/SP1 pathway.

Inhibitory Effect of Dihydroartemisinin on the Proliferation and Migration of Melanoma Cells and Experimental Lung Metastasis From Melanoma in Mice

Melanoma is aggressive and can metastasize in the early stage of tumor. It has been proved that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) positively affects the treatment of tumors and has no apparent toxic and side effects. Our previous research has shown that DHA can suppress the formation of melanoma. However, it remains poorly established how DHA impacts the invasion and metastasis of melanoma. In this study, B16F10 and A375 cell lines and metastatic tumor models will be used to investigate the effects of DHA. The present results demonstrated that DHA inhibited the proliferative capacity in A375 and B16F10 cells. As expected, the migration capacity of A375 and B16F10 cells was also reduced after DHA administration. DHA alleviated the severity and histopathological changes of melanoma in mice. DHA induced expansion of CD8⁺CTL in the tumor microenvironment. By contrast, DHA inhibited Treg cells infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. DHA enhanced apoptosis of melanoma by regulating FasL expression and Granzyme B secretion in CD8⁺CTLs. Moreover, DHA impacts STAT3-induced EMT and MMP_S in tumor tissue. Furthermore, Metabolomics analysis indicated that PGD2 and EPA significantly increased after DHA administration. In conclusion, DHA inhibited the proliferation, migration and metastasis of melanoma in vitro and in vivo. These results have important implications for the potential use of DHA in the treatment of melanoma in humans.

Mechanisms and Molecular Targets of Artemisinin in Cancer Treatment

The major problems with cancer therapy are drug-induced side effects. There is an urgent need for safe anti-tumor drugs. Artemisinin is a Chinese herbal remedy for malaria with efficacy and safety. However, several studies reported that artemisinin causes neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity in animal models. Recently, nanostructured drug delivery systems have been designed to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity. Artemisinin has been reported to show anticancer properties. The anticancer effects of artemisinin appear to be mediated by inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting ferroptosis and autophagy, inhibiting cell metastasis. Therefore, the review is to concentrate on mechanisms and molecular targets of artemisinin as anti-tumor agents. We believe these will be important topics in realizing the potential of artemisinin and its derivatives as potent anticancer agents.

The Effect of GLUT1 on Survival Rate and the Immune Cell Infiltration of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta and Bioinformatics Analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are two major subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have shown that abnormal expression of glucose transport type 1 (GLUT1) in NSCLC patients has been associated with progression, aggressiveness, and poor clinical outcome. However, the clinical effect of GLUT1 expression on LUAD and LUSC is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to learn more about the character of GLUT1 in LUAD and LUSC.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the GLUT1 protein level, and bioinformatics analysis was used to detect the GLUT1 mRNA expression level, survival differences, and the infiltration abundance of immune cells in samples from TCGA. Meanwhile, functional and network analysis was conducted to detect important signaling pathways and key genes with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset.

RESULTS

Our results showed that GLUT1 was over-expressed both in LUAD and LUSC. LUAD patients with high GLUT1 expression had a poor prognosis. Additionally, GLUT1 was related to B cell and neutrophil infiltration of LUAD. In LUSC, GLUT1 was correlated with tumor purity, B cell, CD8⁺ T cell, CD4⁺ T cell, macrophage, neutrophil, and dendritic cell infiltration. The GEO dataset analysis results suggested GLUT1 potentially participated in the p53 signaling pathway and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 and was associated with KDR, TOX3, AGR2, FOXA1, ERBB3, ANGPT1, and COL4A3 gene in LUAD and LUSC.

CONCLUSION

GLUT1 might be a potential biomarker for aggressive progression and poor prognosis in LUAD, and a therapeutic biomarker in LUSC.

Recent pharmacological advances in the repurposing of artemisinin drugs

Artemisinins are a family of sesquiterpene lactones originally derived from the sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua). Beyond their well-characterized role as frontline antimalarial drugs, artemisinins have also received increased attention for other potential pharmaceutical effects, which include antiviral, antiparsitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. With concerted efforts in further preclinical and clinical studies, artemisinin-based drugs have the potential to be viable treatments for a great variety of human diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive update on recent reports of pharmacological actions and applications of artemisinins outside of their better-known antimalarial role and highlight their potential therapeutic viability for various diseases.

Artemisinin Derivatives Inhibit Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through Induction of ROS-dependent Apoptosis/Ferroptosis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the major cancer-related causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the progress in lung cancer treatment, there is still an urgent need to discover novel therapeutic agents for NSCLC. Natural products represent a rich source of bioactive compounds. Through a natural compound library screening assay, we found that a group of anti-insect drugs had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Among the anti-insect drugs, two derivatives of artemisinin, i.e., artesunate (ART) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a group of well-known anti-malarial drugs, have been shown to possess selective anti-cancer properties. Mechanistically, we found that ART and DHA induced apoptosis of A549 cells as evidenced by decreased protein level of VDAC and increased caspase 3 cleavage. Furthermore, cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT), a core negative regulator of ferroptosis, was downregulated by ART and DHA. The mRNA level of transferrin receptor (TFRC), a positive regulator of ferroptosis, was upregulated by ART and DHA. ART/DHA-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in NSCLC cells were partly reversed by N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, and ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, respectively. These results suggest that artemisinin derivatives have anti-NSCLC activity through induction of ROS-dependent apoptosis/ferroptosis. Our findings provide the experimental basis for the potential application of artemisinin derivatives as a class of novel therapeutic drugs for NSCLC.

Dihydroartemisinin as a Sensitizing Agent in Cancer Therapies

Cancer is one of the major threats to human health. Although humans have struggled with cancer for decades, the efficacy of treatments for most tumors is still very limited. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a derivative of artemisinin, a first-line antimalarial drug originally developed in China. Beyond the anti-malarial effect, DHA has also been reported to show anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitosis, and immune-modulating properties in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies report that DHA possesses anticancer activities on a wide range of cancer types both in vitro and in vivo, as well as enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and even radiotherapy. However, the mechanisms of DHA on different tumors differ in various ways. In this review, we intend to summarize how DHA sensitizes cancer cells to anti-cancer therapies, highlight its molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo as well as in current clinical trials, and discuss potential issues concerning DHA. Hopefully, more attention will be paid to DHA as a sensitizer for cancer therapy in the future.

Perspectives and controversies regarding the use of natural products for the treatment of lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality both in men and women and accounts for 18.4% of all cancer‐related deaths. Although advanced therapy methods have been developed, the prognosis of lung cancer patients remains extremely poor. Over the past few decades, clinicians and researchers have found that chemical compounds extracted from natural products may be useful for treating lung cancer. Drug formulations derived from natural compounds, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and camptothecin, have been successfully used as chemotherapeutics for lung cancer. In recent years, hundreds of new natural compounds that can be used to treat lung cancer have been found through basic and sub‐clinical research. However, there has not been a corresponding increase in the number of drugs that have been used in a clinical setting. The probable reasons may include low solubility, limited absorption, unfavorable metabolism, and severe side effects. In this review, we present a summary of the natural compounds that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of lung cancer, as well as an understanding of the mechanisms underlying their pharmacological effects. We have also highlighted current controversies and have attempted to provide solutions for the clinical translation of these compounds.

Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs), and it is an effective clinical drug widely used to treat malaria. Recently, the anticancer activity of DHA has attracted increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is no systematic summary on the anticancer effects of DHA. Notably, studies have shown that DHA exerts anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, promoting immune function, inducing autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the latest progress regarding the anticancer activities of DHA in cancer. Importantly, the underlying anticancer molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of DHA in vitro and in vivo are the focus of our attention. Interestingly, new methods to improve the solubility and bioavailability of DHA are discussed, which greatly enhance its anticancer efficacy. Remarkably, DHA has synergistic anti-tumor effects with a variety of clinical drugs, and preclinical and clinical studies provide stronger evidence of its anticancer potential. Moreover, this article also gives suggestions for further research on the anticancer effects of DHA. Thus, we hope to provide a strong theoretical support for DHA as an anticancer drug.

miR-218 inhibits glucose metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer via the NF-κB signaling pathway

High glucose metabolism is recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer and increased expression levels of several key factors involved in glucose metabolism have been reported in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous studies showed that microRNA (miR)-218 is reduced in NSCLC, but its function in glucose metabolism in NSCLC is not fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-218 on glucose metabolism in NSCLC cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanism. The present results suggested that miR-218 reduced glucose consumption, the mechanism of glycolysis and activity in the pentose phosphate pathway. In addition, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) was identified to be a direct target of miR-218, while overexpression of GLUT1 did not abolish the effect of miR-218 on glucose metabolism. The present results indicated that phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 was significantly decreased by miR-218 in NSCLC cells and that activation of NF-κB led to the inhibition of miR-218 regulation of glucose metabolism. In conclusion, the present results suggested that miR-218 downregulated glucose metabolism in NSCLC not only by directly targeting GLUT1, but also via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of a Bile Acid-Dihydroartemisinin Hybrid Ursodeoxycholic-Dihydroartemisinin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy in adults and accounts for 85-90% of all primary liver cancer. Based on the estimation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2018, liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the main active metabolite of artemisinin derivatives, is a well-known drug for the treatment of malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated that DHA exhibits antitumor effects toward a variety of human cancers and has a potential for repurposing as an anticancer drug. However, its short half-life is a concern and may limit the application in cancer therapy. We have reported that UDC-DHA, a hybrid of bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and DHA, is ∼12 times more potent than DHA against a HCC cell line HepG2. In this study, we found that UDC-DHA was also effective against another HCC cell line Huh-7 with an IC₅₀ of 2.16 μM, which was 18.5-fold better than DHA with an IC₅₀ of 39.96 μM. UDC-DHA was much more potent than the combination of DHA and UDCA at 1:1 molar ratio, suggesting that the covalent linkage rather than a synergism between UDCA and DHA is critical for enhancing DHA potency in HepG2 cells. Importantly, UDC-DHA was much less toxic to normal cells than DHA. UDC-DHA induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. Both DHA and UDC-DHA significantly elevated cellular reactive oxygen species generation but with different magnitude and timing in HepG2 cells; whereas only DHA but not UDC-DHA induced reactive oxygen species in Huh-7 cells. Depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected in both HepG2 and Huh-7 cells and may contribute to the anticancer effect of DHA and UDC-DHA. Furthermore, UDC-DHA was much more stable than DHA based on activity assays and high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS analysis. In conclusion, UDC-DHA and DHA may exert anticancer actions via similar mechanisms but a much lower concentration of UDC-DHA was required, which could be attributed to a better stability of UDC-DHA. Thus, UDC-DHA could be a better drug candidate than DHA against HCC and further investigation is warranted.

Dihydroartemisinin Inhibits the Proliferation, Colony Formation and Induces Ferroptosis of Lung Cancer Cells by Inhibiting PRIM2/SLC7A11 Axis

Objective

Lung cancer is the first leading cause of cancer-related deaths both worldwide and in China and threatens human health and quality of life. New drugs and therapeutic methods are urgently needed. Our study evaluated the roles of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in lung cancer and further explored its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

CCK-8, colony formation and trypan blue exclusion assays were used to detect the cell viability, colony formation ability and cell death. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays were applied to analyze the expressions of key molecules.

Results

DHA inhibited the proliferation and colony formation abilities and enhanced the cell death and induced ferroptosis of lung NCI-H23 and XWLC-05 cancer cells. DHA reduced PRIM2 expression and silencing PRIM2 mimicked the inhibitory roles on proliferation and colony formation and promotive roles on cell death and ferroptosis of DHA in lung NCI-H23 and XWLC-05 cancer cells. We further found that DHA treatment and loss of PRIM2 reduced the GSH level and increased the cellular lipid ROS and mitochondrial MDA levels, and further downregulated the expressions of SLC7A11 and β-catenin in lung cancer cells, respectively. Exogenetic overexpression of PRIM2 recovered the inhibitory effects of DHA on proliferation and colony formation in lung NCI-H23 cancer cells, meanwhile loss of PRIM2 sensitizes NCI-H23 cells to DHA therapy. In vivo experiment further showed that DHA treatment significantly suppressed the tumor growth and downregulated PRIM2 and SLC7A11.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that DHA inhibited the proliferation, colony formation and enhanced cell death and induced ferroptosis of lung cancer cells by inactivating PRIM2/SLC7A11 axis. Loss of PRIM2 induced ferroptosis might developed to be a novel therapeutic method in lung cancer therapy.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the migration of esophageal cancer cells by inducing autophagy

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a complex gastrointestinal malignancy and its global incidence rate ranks 7th among all cancer types. Due to its aggressive nature and the potential for early metastasis, the survival rates of patients with EC are poor. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is the primary active derivative of artemisinin, and, as well as its use as an anti-malarial, DHA has also exhibited antitumor activity in various cancer models, such as cholangiocarcinoma, head and neck carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effect of DHA in the treatment of EC remains poorly understood. The results of the present study demonstrated that DHA significantly inhibited the migration of TE-1 and Eca-109 EC cells in a dose-dependent manner by activating autophagy. DHA treatment also significantly reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating the EMT-associated markers, N-cadherin and vimentin, and upregulating the expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, DHA treatment decreased Akt phosphorylation and inhibited the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, leading to the activation of autophagy. The levels of the autophagy-associated proteins were suppressed and DHA-mediated inhibition of migration in EC cells was reversed when an active form of Akt was overexpressed. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential value of DHA in the treatment of EC, and revealed the underlying mechanism by which FDHA inhibits cellular migration.

USP53 promotes apoptosis and inhibits glycolysis in lung adenocarcinoma through FKBP51-AKT1 signaling

Despite an overall decline in the incidence of new cases, lung adenocarcinoma continues to be a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Due to lack of gene expression signatures for risk and prognosis stratification of lung adenocarcinoma, identifying novel molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets may potentially improve lung adenocarcinoma prognosis and treatment. In the current study, we investigate the role of USP53 in lung adenocarcinoma. Bioinformatics analysis, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were employed to examine patterns of gene expression in human lung adenocarcinoma database, patient samples, and cancer cell lines. Stable cell lines were produced by transducing with USP53 overexpression vector or short hairpin RNA targeting USP53 in the presence and absence of AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002. Functional assays were carried out to examine the impact of USP53 and AKT pathway on lung adenocarcinoma cell viability, apoptosis, and glycolysis in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo. The correlation between USP53 and FKBP51 was measured by coimmunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assay. Decreased USP53 levels are a reliable marker of lung adenocarcinoma across published datasets, clinical samples, and cell culture lines. Low USP53 expression is linked to decreased apoptosis and increased metabolic activity, suggesting it acts as a tumor suppressor. USP53 regulates cell apoptosis and glycolysis through the AKT1 pathway. Mechanistically, USP53 deubiquitinates FKBP51, which in turn dephosphorylates AKT1, and ultimately inhibits tumor growth in lung adenocarcinoma. Taken together, our study establishes USP53 as a novel regulator of AKT1 pathway with an important role in tumorigenesis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Anti-malarial drug, artemisinin and its derivatives for the treatment of respiratory diseases

Artemisinins are sesquiterpene lactones with a peroxide moiety that are isolated from the herb Artemisia annua. It has been used for centuries for the treatment of fever and chills, and has been recently approved for the treatment of malaria due to its endoperoxidase properties. Progressively, research has found that artemisinins displayed multiple pharmacological actions against inflammation, viral infections, and cell and tumour proliferation, making it effective against diseases. Moreover, it has displayed a relatively safe toxicity profile. The use of artemisinins against different respiratory diseases has been investigated in lung cancer models and inflammatory-driven respiratory disorders. These studies revealed the ability of artemisinins in attenuating proliferation, inflammation, invasion, and metastasis, and in inducing apoptosis. Artemisinins can regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), promote cell cycle arrest, drive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induce Bak or Bax-dependent or independent apoptosis. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive update of the current knowledge of the effects of artemisinins in relation to respiratory diseases to identify gaps that need to be filled in the course of repurposing artemisinins for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In addition, we postulate whether artemisinins can also be repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 given its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

An Artemisinin-Derivative-(NHC)Gold(I) Hybrid with Enhanced Cytotoxicity through Inhibition of NRF2 Transcriptional Activity

A family of hybrid complexes combining two biologically active motifs, an artemisinin derivative and a cationic bis(NHC)-gold(I) unit, has been synthesized. One of these complexes, 2 a, has been analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 2 a shows strong anticancer activities on a large panel of human cancer cell models (prostate, breast, lung, liver, bladder, bone, acute and chronic myeloid leukemias) with GI₅₀ values in the nm range, together with a high selectivity. An original and distinctive mechanism of action, that is, through inhibition of the redox antioxidant NRF2 transcription factor (strongly associated with aggressiveness and resistance to cancer therapies) has been evidenced. 2 a could remarkably sensitize to sorafenib in HepG2 liver cells, in which dysregulated NRF2 signaling is linked to primary and acquired drug resistance. 2 a also inhibited NF-κB and HIF transcriptional activities, which are also associated with progression and resistance in cancer. Our findings provide evidence that hybrid (NHC)gold(I) compounds represent a new class of organometallic hybrid molecules that may yield new therapeutic agents.

HPV 16 E6/E7 up-regulate the expression of both HIF-1α and GLUT1 by inhibition of RRAD and activation of NF-κB in lung cancer cells

Chronic infection of HPV16 E6/E7 is frequently associated with lung cancers, especially in non-smokers and in Asians. In our previous studies, we found that HPV16 E6/E7 up-regulated HIF-1α at protein level and further up-regulated GLUT1 at both protein and mRNA levels in well-established lung cancer cell lines. In one of our further mechanism study, the results demonstrated that HPV16 E6/E7 up-regulated the expression of GLUT1 through HPV-LKB1-HIF-1α-GLUT1 axis. However, there are multiple pathways involved in HPV16 E6/E7 regulation of HIF-1α expression. In current study, using double directional genetic manipulation in well-established lung cancer cell lines, we showed that both E6 and E7 down-regulated the expression of RRAD at both protein and mRNA levels. Like LKB1, RRAD is one of the cancer suppressor genes. The loss of RRAD further activated NF-κB by promoted cytoplasmic p65 translocated to nucleus, and up-regulated the expression level of the p-p65 in nucleus. Furthermore, p-p65 up regulated HIF-1α and GLUT1 at both protein and mRNA levels. Thus, we proposed HPV16 E6/E7 up-regulated the expression of GLUT1 through HPV-RRAD-p65- HIF-1α- GLUT1 axis. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that E6 and E7 promoted the expression of HIF-1α and GLUT1 by relieving the inhibitory effect of RRAD which resulted in the activation of NF-κB by promoting cytoplasmic p65 translocated to nucleus, and up-regulated the expression of the p-p65 in nucleus in lung cancer cells. Our findings provided new evidence to support the critical role of RRAD in the pathogenesis of HPV-related lung cancer, and suggested novel therapeutic targets.

Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine

Numerous natural products originated from Chinese herbal medicine exhibit anti-cancer activities, including anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic effects, as well as regulate autophagy, reverse multidrug resistance, balance immunity, and enhance chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. To provide new insights into the critical path ahead, we systemically reviewed the most recent advances (reported since 2011) on the key compounds with anti-cancer effects derived from Chinese herbal medicine (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, berberine, artemisinin, ginsenoside Rg3, ursolic acid, silibinin, emodin, triptolide, cucurbitacin B, tanshinone I, oridonin, shikonin, gambogic acid, artesunate, wogonin, β-elemene, and cepharanthine) in scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Clinical Trials). With a broader perspective, we focused on their recently discovered and/or investigated pharmacological effects, novel mechanism of action, relevant clinical studies, and their innovative applications in combined therapy and immunomodulation. In addition, the present review has extended to describe other promising compounds including dihydroartemisinin, ginsenoside Rh2, compound K, cucurbitacins D, E, I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone in view of their potentials in cancer therapy. Up to now, the evidence about the immunomodulatory effects and clinical trials of natural anti-cancer compounds from Chinese herbal medicine is very limited, and further research is needed to monitor their immunoregulatory effects and explore their mechanisms of action as modulators of immune checkpoints.

Current progress and future perspectives of polypharmacology : From the view of non-small cell lung cancer

A pre-eminent subtype of lung carcinoma, Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for paramount causes of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Undeterred by the endeavour in the treatment strategies, the overall cure and survival rates for NSCLC remain substandard, particularly in metastatic diseases. Moreover, the emergence of resistance to classic anticancer drugs further deteriorates the situation. These demanding circumstances culminate the need of extended and revamped research for the establishment of upcoming generation cancer therapeutics. Drug repositioning introduces an affordable and efficient strategy to discover novel drug action, especially when integrated with recent systems biology driven stratagem. This review illustrates the trendsetting approaches in repurposing along with their numerous success stories with an emphasize on the NSCLC therapeutics. Indeed, these novel hits, in combination with conventional anticancer agents, will ideally make their way the clinics and strengthen the therapeutic arsenal to combat drug resistance in the near future.

Size dependent anti-invasiveness of silver nanoparticles in lung cancer cells

The molecular mechanism of cancer cell death caused by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different sizes is investigated. Compared with the larger nanoparticles, 13 nm AgNPs significantly inhibit the migration and invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, induce elevated reactive oxygen species and lead to NF-κB directed cellular apoptosis.

Size-dependent anti-invasiveness effect of AgNPs was determined using A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. The 13 nm AgNPs can significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of A549 cells and induce the elevated level of ROS and NF-κB directed cell apoptosis.

Sirtuin-7 knockdown inhibits the growth of endometrial cancer cells by inducing apoptosis via the NF-κB signaling pathway

Sirtuin-7 is an evolutionarily conserved NAD-dependent deacetylase, which serves an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the potential mechanism of sirtuin-7 in endometrial cancer has not yet been investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether sirtuin-7 exhibits inhibitory effects on endometrial cancer cells. The potential mechanisms mediated by sirtuin-7 in endometrial cancer cells were also investigated. The expression levels of sirtuin-7 in endometrial cancer cells were compared with normal endometrial cells using western blotting. The results demonstrated that sirtuin-7 is overexpressed in endometrial cancer cells compared with normal endometrial cells. The downregulation of sirtuin-7 inhibited the growth and invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells. The knockdown of sirtuin-7 was observed to increase the sensitivity of the endometrial cancer cells to cisplatin treatment in vitro. An investigation into the potential molecular mechanism demonstrated that sirtuin-7 knockdown promoted the apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells by regulating the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. The knockdown of sirtuin-7 inhibited NF-κB expression and resulted in a decrease in the expression of NF-κB target proteins that are anti-apoptotic: Bcl-xl, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Sirtuin-7 knockdown also resulted in an increase of the NF-κB target proteins that are pro-apoptotic: Caspase-3, Bad and Bax. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that sirtuin-7 knockdown was able to markedly inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer cells, suggesting that sirtuin-7 may be a potential therapeutic target for endometrial cancer therapy.

Anticancer activity of methylene blue via inhibition of heat shock protein 70

INTRODUCTION

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) chaperones are indispensable to lung cancer cells for their survival and proliferation. In this study we evaluated and compared anticancer potential of methylene blue (MB) as an Hsp70 inhibitor, novobiocin (NB) a well-known Hsp90 inhibitor and their combination.

METHODS

In vitro evaluation was done by cell viability assays, fluorescent staining, and flow cytometry analysis using A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells. In vivo anticancer activity was investigated by evaluating oxidative stress, tumor biomarkers, weight, lung microarchitecture, and Hsp70 and Hsp90 inhibitions via immunoblotting in benzo[a]pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis mice model.

RESULTS

Using A549 NSCLC cells, we found MB demonstrated lower cell viability versus NB. Together, MB + NB resulted in further decrease in cell viability. SRB assay revealed significantly superior and similar potency for MB versus NB and MB + NB (1:1) versus MB, respectively. Fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis displayed early apoptosis by MB (11.4%); early and late apoptosis by MB + NB (13.8%). In vivo, MB significantly inhibited Hsp70. Furthermore, MB significantly alleviated tumor biomarkers (ADA and LDH) and improved lung histopathological features more than NB. Additionally, MB significantly improved SOD, not more than MB + NB or NB and improved LPO.

CONCLUSION

MB demonstrated potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo via inhibition of Hsp70 in benzo[a]pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis in mice.

Targeting Tumor Metabolism with Plant-Derived Natural Products: Emerging Trends in Cancer Therapy

Recognition of neoplastic metabolic reprogramming as one of cancer's hallmarks has paved the way for developing novel metabolism-targeted therapeutic approaches. The use of plant-derived natural bioactive compounds for this endeavor is especially promising, due to their diverse structures and multiple targets. Hence, over the past decade, a growing number of studies have assessed the impact of phytochemicals on tumor cell metabolism, aiming at improving current knowledge on their mechanisms of action and, at the same time, evaluating their potential as anti-cancer metabolic modulators. In this Review, we focus on three classes of plant-derived compounds with promising anti-cancer activity-phenolic compounds, isoprenoids, and alkaloids-to describe their effects on major energetic and biosynthetic pathways of human tumor cells. Such a comprehensive and integrated account of the ability of these compounds to hit different metabolic targets is expected to contribute to the rational design and critical assessment of novel anti-cancer therapies based on natural-product-mediated metabolic reprogramming.

Co-delivery of dihydroartemisinin and docetaxel in pH-sensitive nanoparticles for treating metastatic breast cancerviathe NF-κB/MMP-2 signal pathway

Metastasis is a major barrier in cancer chemotherapy. Prolonged circulation and rapid, specific intracellular drug release are two main goals in the development of nanoscale drug delivery systems to treat metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effect of docetaxel (DTX) in combination with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in metastatic breast cancer 4T1 cells. We synthesized a pH-sensitive material 4-arm-PEG-DTX with a hydrazone bond and used it to construct nanoparticles that co-deliver DTX and DHA (D/D NPs). The D/D NPs had a mean size of 142.5 nm and approximately neutral zeta potential. The pH-sensitive nanoparticles allowed acid-triggered drug release at the tumor site, showing excellent cytotoxicity (IC50 = 7.0 μg mL⁻¹), cell cycle arrest and suppression of cell migration and invasion. The mechanisms underlying the anti-metastasis effect of the D/D NPs involved downregulation of the expression of p-AKT, NF-κB and MMP-2. Therefore, D/D NPs represent a new nanoscale drug delivery system for treating metastatic breast cancer, responding to the acidic tumor microenvironment to release the chemotherapeutic drugs.

Co-delivery DTX and DHA as acid-sensitive nanoparticles to exert synergistic effects for metastatic breast cancer therapy.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits EMT induced by platinum-based drugs via Akt-Snail pathway

Artemisinin and its derivatives exhibit a high activity against a range of cancer cell types both in vitro and in vivo. In clinical practice, platinum-based anti-cancer chemotherapy is widely used to treat tumors. However, a large proportion of patients receiving these treatments will relapse because of metastasis and drug resistance. The purpose of this study is to explore the combinational anti-metastatic effect of platinum-based drugs and dihydroartemisinin (DHA). Both DDP and oxaliplatin (OXA) at low doses could induce epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC. Meanwhile, co-administration of DHA could enhance DDP and OXA chemosensitivity in HCC and reverse drug resistance. DHA reversed the morphological changes induced by DDP or OXA and reversed the changes in EMT biomarkers induced by DDP and OXA in HCC in vitro and in vivo via AKT–Snail signaling. DHA significantly increased platinum-based drug sensitivity and suppressed EMT induced by platinum-based drugs via AKT–Snail signaling in HCC. DHA is expected to become the new adjuvant for chemotherapy.

Role of glucose metabolism related gene GLUT1 in the occurrence and prognosis of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in females worldwide. However, the functional and causal SNPs for CRC remain to be mined. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), a pivotal rate-limiting element in the transport of glucose in malignancy cells, has been identified to be associated with many cancers. Here, we aim to explore the role of GLUT1 in the occurrence and prognosis of colorectal cancer in a Chinese population. We found that GLUT1 expression levels in CRC tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in the corresponding adjacent normal tissues, and Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that the GLUT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for CRC (HR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.33–3.34, P=0.001). For a functional polymorphism of GLUT1 (rs710218), we found that individuals with TT genotype (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.02-2.75, P = 0.041) or AT genotype (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.09-1.99, P = 0.012) of rs710218 had a significantly increased risk of CRC compared to those with AA homozygote. These findings strongly suggest that glucose metabolism related gene GLUT1, and its functional SNP, rs710218 might contribute to CRC susceptibility and prognosis, and the exact biological mechanism awaits further research.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits TCTP-dependent metastasis in gallbladder cancer

Background

Patients with metastatic or relapsed gallbladder cancer generally have a poor prognosis. Therefore, targeting metastasis is one arm of therapeutic strategies to treat gallbladder cancer.

Methods

Levels of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) were measured in samples of gallbladder cancer by immunohistochemical staining. Wound healing, migration and invasion assays were used to investigate the motility of cells. Western blot assay was used to investigate the levels of TCTP and other proteins. Liver metastasis models and lung metastasis models were established to investigate the inhibitory effect of Dihydroartemisinin on gallbladder cancer metastasis.

Results

TCTP is aberrantly expressed in gallbladder cancer patients and associated with metastasis and a poor prognosis. Depleting TCTP significantly inhibited gallbladder cancer cell migration and invasion. We found that Dihydroartemisinin as a potent inhibitor of TCTP inhibited TCTP-dependent cell migration and invasion by reducing cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) activation. In addition, in mice with xenografted tumors, treatment with Dihydroartemisinin decreased gallbladder cancer cell metastases and improved survival.

Conclusions

These findings provide new insights into the therapeutic activity of Dihydroartemisinin as a treatment for gallbladder cancer metastasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-017-0531-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

miR-30a-5p suppresses breast tumor growth and metastasis through inhibition of LDHA-mediated Warburg effect

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), a key enzyme regulating aerobic glycolysis, is overexpressed in many human cancers, and correlates with poor clinical outcomes. Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of cancer, and drugs targeting its regulators, including LDHA, are being developed. However, the mechanisms of LDHA inhibition and the physiological significance of the LDHA inhibitors in cancer cells are unclear. Here, we show that microRNA-30a-5p (miR-30a-5p) suppresses LDHA expression by directly targeting its 3'-UTR. Through inhibition of LDHA, miR-30a-5p dampens glycolysis by decreasing glucose uptake, lactate production, ATP generation, and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), and increasing oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in breast cancer cells. Importantly, glycolysis regulated by miR-30a-5p is critical for its regulating breast tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In breast cancer patients, miR-30a-5p expression is negatively correlated with LDHA expression. Moreover, patients who had increased glucose uptake in tumors assessed by PET scans showed decreased miR-30a-5p expression and increased expression of LDHA. Our findings provide clues regarding the role of miR-30a-5p as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer through the inhibition of LDHA. Targeting LDHA through miR-30a-5p could be a potential therapeutic strategy in breast cancer.

Regulatory T cells as suppressors of anti-tumor immunity: Role of metabolism

Novel concepts in immunometabolism support the hypothesis that glucose consumption is also used to modulate anti-tumor immune responses, favoring growth and expansion of specific cellular subsets defined in the past as suppressor T cells and currently reborn as regulatory T (Treg) cells. During the 1920s, Otto Warburg and colleagues observed that tumors consumed high amounts of glucose compared to normal tissues, even in the presence of oxygen and completely functioning mitochondria. However, the role of the Warburg Effect is still not completely understood, particularly in the context of an ongoing anti-tumor immune response. Current experimental evidence suggests that tumor-derived metabolic restrictions can drive T cell hyporesponsiveness and immune tolerance. For example, several glycolytic enzymes, deregulated in cancer, contribute to tumor progression independently from their canonical metabolic activity. Indeed, they can control apoptosis, gene expression and activation of specific intracellular pathways, thus suggesting a direct link between metabolic switches and pro-tumorigenic transcriptional programs. Focus of this review is to define the specific metabolic pathways controlling Treg cell immunobiology in the context of anti-tumor immunity and tumor progression.