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Mneimneh AT, Darwiche N, Mehanna MM. Investigating the therapeutic promise of Drug-Repurposed-Loaded Nanocarriers: A pioneering strategy in advancing colorectal cancer treatment. Int J Pharm 2024:124473. [PMID: 39025341 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Globally, colorectal cancer is a major health problem that ranks in third place in terms of occurrences and second in terms of mortality worldwide. New cases increase annually, with the absence of effective therapies, especially for metastatic colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Although conventional treatments are commonly used in oncotherapy, their success rate is low, which leads to the exploration of novel technologies. Recent efforts have focused on developing safe and efficient cancer nanocarriers. With their nanoscale properties, nanocarriers have the potential to utilize internal metabolic modifications amid cancer cells and healthy cells. Drug repurposing is an emerging strategy in cancer management as it is a faster, cheaper, and safer method than conventional drug development. However, most repurposed drugs are characterized by low-key pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as poor aqueous solubility, permeability, retention, and bioavailability. Nanoparticle formulations and delivery have expanded over the past few decades, creating opportunities for drug repurposing and promises as an advanced cancer modality. This review provides a concise and updated overview of colorectal cancer treatment regimens and their therapeutic limitations. Furthermore, the chemotherapeutic effect of various FDA-approved medications, including statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidiabetic and anthelmintic agents, and their significance in colorectal cancer management. Along with the role of various nanocarrier systems in achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes of employing these redefined drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina T Mneimneh
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammed M Mehanna
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
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2
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Amengual-Cladera E, Morla-Barcelo PM, Morán-Costoya A, Sastre-Serra J, Pons DG, Valle A, Roca P, Nadal-Serrano M. Metformin: From Diabetes to Cancer-Unveiling Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:302. [PMID: 38785784 PMCID: PMC11117706 DOI: 10.3390/biology13050302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, has garnered attention for its potential in cancer management, particularly in breast and colorectal cancer. It is established that metformin reduces mitochondrial respiration, but its specific molecular targets within mitochondria vary. Proposed mechanisms include inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I and/or Complex IV, and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, among others. These actions lead to cellular energy deficits, redox state changes, and several molecular changes that reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical evidence supports metformin's role in cancer prevention in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Moreover, in these patients with breast and colorectal cancer, metformin consumption leads to an improvement in survival outcomes and prognosis. The synergistic effects of metformin with chemotherapy and immunotherapy highlights its potential as an adjunctive therapy for breast and colorectal cancer. However, nuanced findings underscore the need for further research and stratification by molecular subtype, particularly for breast cancer. This comprehensive review integrates metformin-related findings from epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies in breast and colorectal cancer. Here, we discuss current research addressed to define metformin's bioavailability and efficacy, exploring novel metformin-based compounds and drug delivery systems, including derivatives targeting mitochondria, combination therapies, and novel nanoformulations, showing enhanced anticancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Amengual-Cladera
- Grupo Metabolismo Energético y Nutrición, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (E.A.-C.); (A.M.-C.); (A.V.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
| | - Pere Miquel Morla-Barcelo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Oncología Traslacional, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Andrea Morán-Costoya
- Grupo Metabolismo Energético y Nutrición, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (E.A.-C.); (A.M.-C.); (A.V.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
| | - Jorge Sastre-Serra
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Oncología Traslacional, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/0043), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Gabriel Pons
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Oncología Traslacional, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Adamo Valle
- Grupo Metabolismo Energético y Nutrición, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (E.A.-C.); (A.M.-C.); (A.V.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/0043), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Roca
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Oncología Traslacional, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/0043), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Nadal-Serrano
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain; (P.M.M.-B.); (J.S.-S.); (D.G.P.); (M.N.-S.)
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Oncología Traslacional, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
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3
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Galal MA, Al-Rimawi M, Hajeer A, Dahman H, Alouch S, Aljada A. Metformin: A Dual-Role Player in Cancer Treatment and Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4083. [PMID: 38612893 PMCID: PMC11012626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge, as evidenced by the increasing incidence rates and high mortality rates, despite the advancements made in chemotherapy. The emergence of chemoresistance further complicates the effectiveness of treatment. However, there is growing interest in the potential of metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as an adjuvant chemotherapy agent in cancer treatment. Although the precise mechanism of action of metformin in cancer therapy is not fully understood, it has been found to have pleiotropic effects, including the modulation of metabolic pathways, reduction in inflammation, and the regulation of cellular proliferation. This comprehensive review examines the anticancer properties of metformin, drawing insights from various studies conducted in vitro and in vivo, as well as from clinical trials and observational research. This review discusses the mechanisms of action involving both insulin-dependent and independent pathways, shedding light on the potential of metformin as a therapeutic agent for different types of cancer. Despite promising findings, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as conflicting outcomes in clinical trials, considerations regarding dosing, and the development of resistance. These challenges highlight the importance of further research to fully harness the therapeutic potential of metformin in cancer treatment. The aims of this review are to provide a contemporary understanding of the role of metformin in cancer therapy and identify areas for future exploration in the pursuit of effective anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Ahmed Galal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Mohammed Al-Rimawi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | | | - Huda Dahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | - Samhar Alouch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | - Ahmad Aljada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
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4
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Tian Y, Zhou Y, Chen F, Qian S, Hu X, Zhang B, Liu Q. Research progress in MCM family: Focus on the tumor treatment resistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116408. [PMID: 38479176 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors constitute a significant category of diseases posing a severe threat to human survival and health, thereby representing one of the most challenging and pressing issues in the field of biomedical research. Due to their malignant nature, which is characterized by a high potential for metastasis, rapid dissemination, and frequent recurrence, the prevailing approach in clinical oncology involves a comprehensive treatment strategy that combines surgery with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapies, and other interventions. Treatment resistance remains a major obstacle in the comprehensive management of tumors, serving as a primary cause for the failure of integrated tumor therapies and a critical factor contributing to patient relapse and mortality. The Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) protein family comprises functional proteins closely associated with the development of resistance in tumor therapy.The influence of MCMs manifests through various pathways, encompassing modulation of DNA replication, cell cycle regulation, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Consequently, this leads to an enhanced tolerance of tumor cells to chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and radiation. Consequently, this review explores the specific roles of the MCM family in various cancer treatment strategies. Its objective is to enhance our comprehension of resistance mechanisms in tumor therapy, thereby presenting novel targets for clinical research aimed at overcoming resistance in cancer treatment. This bears substantial clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Intestinal Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic School of Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, PR China
| | - Fuxin Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic School of Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China
| | - Siyi Qian
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic School of Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China
| | - Xingming Hu
- The 1st Department of Thoracic Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Intestinal Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic School of Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Intestinal Surgery of Hunan Cancer Hospital & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China.
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Stępień K, Skoneczna A, Kula-Maximenko M, Jurczyk Ł, Mołoń M. Disorders in the CMG helicase complex increase the proliferative capacity and delay chronological aging of budding yeast. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119621. [PMID: 37907194 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The replication of DNA requires specialized and intricate machinery. This machinery is known as a replisome and is highly evolutionarily conserved, from simple unicellular organisms such as yeast to human cells. The replisome comprises multiple protein complexes responsible for various steps in the replication process. One crucial component of the replisome is the Cdc45-MCM-GINS (CMG) helicase complex, which unwinds double-stranded DNA and coordinates the assembly and function of other replisome components, including DNA polymerases. The genes encoding the CMG helicase components are essential for initiating DNA replication. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the absence of one copy of the CMG complex genes in heterozygous Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells impacts the cells' physiology and aging. Our data revealed that these cells exhibited a significant reduction in transcript levels for the respective CMG helicase complex proteins, as well as disruptions in the cell cycle, extended doubling times, and alterations in their biochemical profile. Notably, this study provided the first demonstration that cells heterozygous for genes encoding subunits of the CMG helicase exhibited a significantly increased reproductive potential and delayed chronological aging. Additionally, we observed a noteworthy correlation between RNA and polysaccharide levels in yeast and their reproductive potential, as well as a correlation between fatty acid levels and cell doubling times. Our findings also shed new light on the potential utility of yeast in investigating potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Stępień
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Rzeszów University, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Adrianna Skoneczna
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Monika Kula-Maximenko
- The Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 30-239 Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Jurczyk
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rzeszów University, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mateusz Mołoń
- Institute of Biology, Rzeszów University, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland.
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Soleimani A, Saeedi N, Al-Asady AM, Nazari E, Hanaie R, Khazaei M, Ghorbani E, Akbarzade H, Ryzhikov M, Avan A, Mehr SMH. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Biomarkers: Biological Traits and Prognostic Insights. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:1386-1397. [PMID: 38623972 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128291321240329050945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Due to self-renewal, differentiation, and limitless proliferation properties, Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) increase the probability of tumor development. These cells are identified by using CSC markers, which are highly expressed proteins on the cell surface of CSCs. Recently, the therapeutic application of CSCs as novel biomarkers improved both the prognosis and diagnosis outcome of colorectal Cancer. In the present review, we focused on a specific panel of colorectal CSC markers, including LGR5, ALDH, CD166, CD133, and CD44, which offers a targeted and comprehensive analysis of their functions. The selection criteria for these markers cancer were based on their established significance in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) pathogenesis and clinical outcomes, providing novel insights into the CSC biology of CRC. Through this approach, we aim to elevate understanding and stimulate further research for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atena Soleimani
- Department of Biochemistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nikoo Saeedi
- Medical School, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Nazari
- Department of Physiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reyhane Hanaie
- Department of Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elnaz Ghorbani
- Department of Microbiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Akbarzade
- Department of Biochemistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mikhail Ryzhikov
- Department of Biochemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
| | - Amir Avan
- Department of Genetics, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
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Wang L, Zhang Z. Diabetes Mellitus and Gastric Cancer: Correlation and Potential Mechanisms. J Diabetes Res 2023; 2023:4388437. [PMID: 38020199 PMCID: PMC10653978 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4388437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the correlation between diabetes mellitus (DM) and gastric cancer (GC) from the perspectives of epidemiology, drug use, and potential mechanisms. The association between DM and GC is inconclusive, and the positive direction of the association reported in most published meta-analyses suggests that DM may be an independent risk factor for GC. Many clinical investigations have shown that people with DM and GC who undergo gastrectomy may have better glycemic control. The potential link between DM and GC may involve the interaction of multiple common risk factors, such as obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, H. pylori infection, and the use of metformin. Although in vitro and in vivo data support that H. pylori infection status and metformin can influence GC risk in DM patients, there are conflicting results. Patient survival outcomes are influenced by multiple factors, so further research is needed to identify the patients who may benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Critical Research Center for Emergency Medicine Clinic, Hangzhou 310052, China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Trauma and Burn of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Linping District, 311100, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Reza R, Morshed N, Samdani MN, Reza MS. Pharmacophore mapping approach to find anti-cancer phytochemicals with metformin-like activities against transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor I kinase: An in silico study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288208. [PMID: 37943796 PMCID: PMC10635513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The most frequently prescribed first-line treatment for type II diabetes mellitus is metformin. Recent reports asserted that this diabetes medication can also shield users from cancer. Metformin induces cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs in the cancer system is yet to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the impact of metformin on cell cycle arrest in cancer cells utilizing transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta pathway. TGF-ß pathway has significant effect on cell progression and growth. In order to gain an insight on the underlying molecular mechanism of metformin's effect on TGF beta receptor 1 kinase, molecular docking was performed. Metformin was predicted to interact with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor I kinase based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, pharmacophore was generated for metformin-TGF-ßR1 complex to hunt for novel compounds having similar pharmacophore as metformin with enhanced anti-cancer potentials. Virtual screening with 29,000 natural compounds from NPASS database was conducted separately for the generated pharmacophores in Ligandscout® software. Pharmacophore mapping showed 60 lead compounds for metformin-TGF-ßR1 complex. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns and ADMET analysis were performed on these compounds. Compounds with CID 72473, 10316977 and 45140078 showed promising binding affinities and formed stable complexes during dynamics simulation with aforementioned protein and thus have potentiality to be developed into anti-cancer medicaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumman Reza
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Niaz Morshed
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Md. Selim Reza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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9
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Choi HK, Park SH, Lee J, Hwang JT. Review of Patents for Anticancer Agents Targeting Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase. J Med Food 2023; 26:605-615. [PMID: 37590001 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2023.k.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer, caused by abnormal and excessive cellular proliferation, can invade and destroy surrounding tissues and organs through the spreading of cancer cells. A general strategy for developing anticancer agents is to identify biomarkers that, if targeted, can produce a robust cytotoxic effect with minimal side effects. Cell-cycle regulators, checkpoint regulatory genes, and apoptosis-related genes are well-known biomarkers that inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Several compounds that target such biomarkers have been patented and more are being developed as novel therapies. Recent additions to this list include anticancer drugs that target signaling pathway proteins, such as 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a vital role in cancer and normal cell metabolism. Herein, we have reviewed recent patents related to AMPK-targeting anticancer drugs and discussed the mechanisms of action of these drugs. We conclude that these recently published patents include several attractive compounds and methods for targeting AMPK. Further research and clinical trials are required to elucidate the comprehensive role of AMPK in cancer cell metabolism, identify its associated signal transduction systems, and develop novel activators that may find applications in cancer therapy. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT01904123.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Kyoung Choi
- Food Functionality Research Division, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Park
- Food Functionality Research Division, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jangho Lee
- Food Functionality Research Division, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Taek Hwang
- Food Functionality Research Division, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
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10
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Drzał A, Dziurman G, Hoła P, Lechowski J, Delalande A, Swakoń J, Pichon C, Elas M. Murine Breast Cancer Radiosensitization Using Oxygen Microbubbles and Metformin: Vessels Are the Key. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12156. [PMID: 37569531 PMCID: PMC10418665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, but tumor hypoxia and resistance to radiation remain significant challenges. Vascular normalization has emerged as a strategy to improve oxygenation and enhance therapeutic outcomes. In this study, we examine the radiosensitization potential of vascular normalization using metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, and oxygen microbubbles (OMBs). We investigated the synergistic action of metformin and OMBs and the impact of this therapeutic combination on the vasculature, oxygenation, invasiveness, and radiosensitivity of murine 4T1 breast cancer. We employed in vivo Doppler ultrasonographic imaging for vasculature analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry, and immunohistochemical assessment of microvessels, perfusion, and invasiveness markers. Our findings demonstrate that both two-week metformin therapy and oxygen microbubble treatment normalize abnormal cancer vasculature. The combination of metformin and OMB yielded more pronounced and sustained effects than either treatment alone. The investigated therapy protocols led to nearly twice the radiosensitivity of 4T1 tumors; however, no significant differences in radiosensitivity were observed between the various treatment groups. Despite these improvements, resistance to treatment inevitably emerged, leading to the recurrence of hypoxia and an increased incidence of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Drzał
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (G.D.); (P.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Gabriela Dziurman
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (G.D.); (P.H.); (J.L.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Hoła
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (G.D.); (P.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Jakub Lechowski
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (G.D.); (P.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Anthony Delalande
- UFR Sciences and Techniques, University of Orleans, 45067 Orleans, France; (A.D.); (C.P.)
- Center for Molecular Biophysics, CNRS Orleans, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Jan Swakoń
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Chantal Pichon
- UFR Sciences and Techniques, University of Orleans, 45067 Orleans, France; (A.D.); (C.P.)
- Center for Molecular Biophysics, CNRS Orleans, 45071 Orleans, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Martyna Elas
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (G.D.); (P.H.); (J.L.)
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11
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Ma SC, Zhang JQ, Yan TH, Miao MX, Cao YM, Cao YB, Zhang LC, Li L. Novel strategies to reverse chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Cancer Med 2023. [PMID: 36645225 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy with high morbidity and fatality. Chemotherapy, as traditional therapy for CRC, has exerted well antitumor effect and greatly improved the survival of CRC patients. Nevertheless, chemoresistance is one of the major problems during chemotherapy for CRC and significantly limits the efficacy of the treatment and influences the prognosis of patients. To overcome chemoresistance in CRC, many strategies are being investigated. Here, we review the common and novel measures to combat the resistance, including drug repurposing (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metformin, dichloroacetate, enalapril, ivermectin, bazedoxifene, melatonin, and S-adenosylmethionine), gene therapy (ribozymes, RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, epigenetic therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, and noncoding RNAs), protein inhibitor (EFGR inhibitor, S1PR2 inhibitor, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor), natural herbal compounds (polyphenols, terpenoids, quinones, alkaloids, and sterols), new drug delivery system (nanocarriers, liposomes, exosomes, and hydrogels), and combination therapy. These common or novel strategies for the reversal of chemoresistance promise to improve the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chang Ma
- Institute of Vascular Disease, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Qi Zhang
- Institute of Vascular Disease, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian-Hua Yan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming-Xing Miao
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye-Min Cao
- Institute of Vascular Disease, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Bing Cao
- Institute of Vascular Disease, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Chao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Li
- Institute of Vascular Disease, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Li H, Yang D, Xu Z, Yang L, Lin J, Cai J, Yang L. Metformin Sensitizes Cisplatin-induced Apoptosis Through Regulating
Nucleotide Excision Repair Pathway In Cisplatin-resistant Human Lung
Cancer Cells. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180819666220330121135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally. Platinum-based chemotherapeutic
medications are essential for treating advanced NSCLC, despite that drug resistance severely
limits its effectiveness.
Objective:
In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of metformin on cisplatin-resistant NSCLC
cells (A549/DDP) and its potential mechanisms.
Methods:
Anti-lung cancer efficacy of metformin, cisplatin, and metformin combined with cisplatin was
examined in A549 and A549/DDP cells. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was applied for measuring
cell proliferation. CalcuSyn software was used to calculate the combination index and estimate the
synergistic effect of metformin and cisplatin on cell proliferation. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by
flow cytometry and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were analyzed
using Western blot. Futhermore, the expression of key nucleotide excision repair (NER) proteins,
ERCC1, XPF, and XPA, was also analyzed using Western blot.
Results:
We found that metformin had dose-dependent antiproliferative effects on A549/DDP and A549
cells. The combination of metformin and cisplatin had higher effectiveness in inhibiting A549/DDP and
A549 cell growth than either of the two drugs alone. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the combined
treatment could cause more cell apoptosis than the single-drug treatment. Consistently, the combined
treatment decreased the expression of Bcl-2 protein and elevated the expression of Bax, and cleaved
caspase-3 proteins. The expression level of ERCC1, XPF, and XPA proteins were lower in the combined
treatment than in either of metformin and cisplatin treatment alone.
Conclusions:
Our study suggested that metformin and cisplatin had synergistic antitumorigenic effects in
A549/DDP cells. The combination of cisplatin and metformin could be promising drug candidates to
sensitize cisplatin-induced apoptosis through regulating nucleotide excision repair pathways in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwen Li
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Donghong Yang
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Zumin Xu
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Liu Yang
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Jiong Lin
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Jingyi Cai
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
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13
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MCM2 in human cancer: functions, mechanisms, and clinical significance. Mol Med 2022; 28:128. [PMID: 36303105 PMCID: PMC9615236 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrant DNA replication is the main source of genomic instability that leads to tumorigenesis and progression. MCM2, a core subunit of eukaryotic helicase, plays a vital role in DNA replication. The dysfunction of MCM2 results in the occurrence and progression of multiple cancers through impairing DNA replication and cell proliferation. Conclusions MCM2 is a vital regulator in DNA replication. The overexpression of MCM2 was detected in multiple types of cancers, and the dysfunction of MCM2 was correlated with the progression and poor prognoses of malignant tumors. According to the altered expression of MCM2 and its correlation with clinicopathological features of cancer patients, MCM2 was thought to be a sensitive biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and chemotherapy response. The anti-tumor effect induced by MCM2 inhibition implies the potential of MCM2 to be a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Since DNA replication stress, which may stimulate anti-tumor immunity, frequently occurs in MCM2 deficient cells, it also proposes the possibility that MCM2 targeting improves the effect of tumor immunotherapy.
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14
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Zhou Z, Liu Y, Jiang X, Zheng C, Luo W, Xiang X, Qi X, Shen J. Metformin modified chitosan as a multi-functional adjuvant to enhance cisplatin-based tumor chemotherapy efficacy. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 224:797-809. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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15
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Yun HJ, Jeoung DJ, Jin S, Park JH, Lee EW, Lee HT, Choi YH, Kim BW, Kwon HJ. Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis, and Reducing the Expression of MCM Proteins in Human Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells by Cedrol, Isolated from Juniperus chinensis. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 32:918-926. [PMID: 35880481 PMCID: PMC9628924 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2205.05012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Proteins related to DNA replication have been proposed as cancer biomarkers and targets for anticancer agents. Among them, minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins, often overexpressed in various cancer cells, are recognized both as notable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and as targets for cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the activity of cedrol, a single compound isolated from Juniperus chinensis, in reducing the expression of MCM proteins in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Remarkably, cedrol also strongly inhibited the expression of all other MCM protein family members in A549 cells. Moreover, cedrol treatment reduced cell viability in A549 cells, accompanied by cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and enhanced apoptosis. Taken together, this study broadens our understanding of how cedrol executes its anticancer activity while demonstrating that cedrol has potential application in the treatment of human lung cancer as an inhibitor of MCM proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Jung Yun
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Jeoung Jeoung
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojung Jin
- Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-ha Park
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Woo Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Tai Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biochemistry, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Woo Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Blue-Bio Industry Regional Innovation Center, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors B.W. Kim Phone: +82-51-890-2900 E-mail:
| | - Hyun Ju Kwon
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Department of Biopharmaceutics, Dong-eui University Graduate School, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea,
H.J. Kwon Phone: +82-51-890-1519 Fax: +82-505-182-6871 E-mail:
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16
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Metformin inhibits the development and metastasis of colorectal cancer. Med Oncol 2022; 39:136. [PMID: 35780231 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Metformin is a commonly used drug for the treatment of diabetes. Accumulating evidence suggests that it exerts anti-cancer effects in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer metastasis remain unclear. Colorectal cancer cell lines were treated with metformin, and cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were analyzed in vitro. The relationship between metformin and the AMPK-mTOR axis was assessed by Western blot analysis and transfection with small interfering RNA. A colorectal cancer xenograft mouse model was used to observe the effects of metformin on liver metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on liver metastatic tumors. In in vitro experiments, metformin significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion only in HCT116 and SW837 cells, but not in HCT8 and Lovo cells. Only in HCT116 and SW837, a change in AMPK-mTOR expression was observed in a dose-dependent manner. In colorectal cancer xenograft mice, the liver metastatic rate (10% vs. 50%, p = 0.05) and the number of liver metastatic nodules (0.1/body vs. 1.2/body, p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the metformin group. Tumor proliferation and EMT were decreased and apoptosis was promoted only in metastatic liver tumors of mice treated with metformin. The molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of metformin involves repression of mTOR pathways via AMPK activation. Moreover, the differences in metformin sensitivity depend on the response of the AMPK-mTOR pathway to metformin. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the anti-metastatic treatment of colorectal cancer using metformin.
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17
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El Zarif T, Yibirin M, De Oliveira-Gomes D, Machaalani M, Nawfal R, Bittar G, Bahmad HF, Bitar N. Overcoming Therapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Drug Repurposing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092105. [PMID: 35565237 PMCID: PMC9099737 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite improvements in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC), survival rates are still low. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC. In this review, we summarize the current data supporting drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite improvement in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies, the 5-year survival rates are as low as 10% in the metastatic setting. The increasing life expectancy of the general population, higher rates of obesity, poor diet, and comorbidities contribute to the increasing trends in incidence. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC with the advantage of treating underlying comorbidities and decreasing chemotherapy toxicity. This review elaborates on the current data that supports drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC with a focus on the evidence and mechanism of action promising repurposed candidates that are widely used, including but not limited to anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talal El Zarif
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Marcel Yibirin
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02218, USA;
| | - Diana De Oliveira-Gomes
- Department of Research, Foundation for Clinic, Public Health, and Epidemiological Research of Venezuela (FISPEVEN), Caracas 1050, Venezuela;
| | - Marc Machaalani
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Rashad Nawfal
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | | | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-786-961-0216
| | - Nizar Bitar
- Head of Hematology-Oncology Division, Sahel General Hospital, Beirut 1002, Lebanon;
- President of the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology (LSMO), Beirut 1003, Lebanon
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18
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Pourheydar B, Azarm F, Farjah G, Karimipour M, Pourheydar M. Effect of silymarin and metformin on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021; 19:1091-1104. [PMID: 35098011 PMCID: PMC8792380 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i12.10060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidative stress is a major contributor to diabetes, which can lead to testicular damage and infertility. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the effects of metformin as a chemical drug with silymarin as an herbal agent on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250-270 gr) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) diabetic; 3) diabetic+metformin 200 mg/kg; and 4) diabetic+silymarin 100 mg/kg. Daily injections were administered intraperitoneally for 56 days. At the end of the treatment, blood sampling was performed for biochemical assessment. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their left testis and epididymis were cut for sperm analysis as well as histopathology and morphometric evaluation. RESULTS Diabetes was associated with a reduced sperm count, motility, viability, maturity, and chromatin quality of sperm (p ≤ 0.001). It was also associated with a higher malondialdehide level and lower total antioxidant capacity level of serum in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant difference in the seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and testicular histopathological alterations in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with metformin and silymarin improved the above-mentioned parameters and this improvement was more substantial in silymarin-treated animals (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION In diabetic rats, metformin and silymarin improved sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and testicular histopathological complications; this improvement was more substantial in the silymarin-treated group. So, the findings of this study suggest that silymarin is more effective than metformin in treating diabetic-induced infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bagher Pourheydar
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Azarm
- Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Gholamhossein Farjah
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Karimipour
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Maryam Pourheydar
- Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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19
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Misirkic Marjanovic MS, Vucicevic LM, Despotovic AR, Stamenkovic MM, Janjetovic KD. Dual anticancer role of metformin: an old drug regulating AMPK dependent/independent pathways in metabolic, oncogenic/tumorsuppresing and immunity context. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5625-5643. [PMID: 34873484 PMCID: PMC8640802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin has been known to treat type 2 diabetes for decades and is widely prescribed antidiabetic drug. Recently, its anticancer potential has also been discovered. Moreover, metformin has low cost thus it has attained profound research interest. Comprehensing the complexity of the molecular regulatory networks in cancer provides a mode for advancement of research in cancer development and treatment. Metformin targets many pathways that play an important role in cancer cell survival outcome. Here, we described anticancer activity of metformin on the AMPK dependent/independent mechanisms regulating metabolism, oncogene/tumor suppressor signaling pathways together with the issue of clinical studies. We also provided brief overwiev about recently described metformin's role in cancer immunity. Insight in these complex molecular networks, will simplify application of metformin in clinical trials and contribute to improvement of anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja S Misirkic Marjanovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Ljubica M Vucicevic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Ana R Despotovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Marina M Stamenkovic
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Kristina D Janjetovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
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20
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Cunha Júnior AD, Bragagnoli AC, Costa FO, Carvalheira JBC. Repurposing metformin for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1883-1904. [PMID: 34007128 PMCID: PMC8108031 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i17.1883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus type 2 and cancer share many risk factors. The pleiotropic insulin-dependent and insulin-independent effects of metformin might inhibit pathways that are frequently amplified in neoplastic tissue. Particularly, modulation of inflammation, metabolism, and cell cycle arrest are potential therapeutic cancer targets utilized by metformin to boost the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy. Studies in vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated the potential of metformin as a chemo- and radiosensitizer, besides its chemopreventive and direct therapeutic activity in digestive system (DS) tumors. Hence, these aspects have been considered in many cancer clinical trials. Case-control and cohort studies and associated meta-analyses have evaluated DS cancer risk and metformin usage, especially in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Most clinical studies have demonstrated the protective role of metformin in the risk for DS cancers and survival rates. On the other hand, the ability of metformin to enhance the actions of chemotherapy for gastric and biliary cancers is yet to be investigated. This article reviews the current findings on the anti-cancer mechanisms of metformin and its apparatus from pre-clinical and ongoing studies in DS malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ademar Dantas Cunha Júnior
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Osório Costa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
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21
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Anticancer potential of metformin: focusing on gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 87:587-598. [PMID: 33744985 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04256-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers are one of the most common types of cancer that have high annual mortality; therefore, identification and introduction of safe drugs in the control and prevention of these cancers are of particular importance. Metformin, a lipophilic biguanide, is the most commonly prescribed agent for type 2 diabetes management. In addition to its great effects on lowering the blood glucose concentrations, the anti-cancer properties of this drug have been reported in many types of cancers such as gastrointestinal cancers. Hence the effects of this agent as a safe drug on the reduction of gastrointestinal cancer risk and suppression of these types of cancers have been studied in different clinical trials. Furthermore, the proposed mechanisms of metformin in preventing the growth of these cancers have been investigated in several studies. In this review, we discuss recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that are relevant for metformin use in gastrointestinal cancer treatment.
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22
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Jiang LL, Liu L. Effect of metformin on stem cells: Molecular mechanism and clinical prospect. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:1455-1473. [PMID: 33505595 PMCID: PMC7789120 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i12.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin is a first-line medication for type II diabetes. Numerous studies have shown that metformin not only has hypoglycemic effects, but also modulates many physiological and pathological processes ranging from aging and cancer to fracture healing. During these different physiological activities and pathological changes, stem cells usually play a core role. Thus, many studies have investigated the effects of metformin on stem cells. Metformin affects cell differentiation and has promising applications in stem cell medicine. It exerts anti-aging effects and can be applied to gerontology and regenerative medicine. The potential anti-cancer stem cell effect of metformin indicates that it can be an adjuvant therapy for cancers. Furthermore, metformin has beneficial effects against many other diseases including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the effects of metformin on stem cells and provide an overview of its molecular mechanisms and clinical prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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23
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Huang QY, Yao F, Zhou CR, Huang XY, Wang Q, Long H, Wu QM. Role of gut microbiome in regulating the effectiveness of metformin in reducing colorectal cancer in type 2 diabetes. World J Clin Cases 2020; 8:6213-6228. [PMID: 33392303 PMCID: PMC7760447 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i24.6213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing globally. It is rarely noticed that the incidence of CRC is higher in patients with T2DM. What needs to be mentioned is that metformin, a commonly used clinical drug for T2DM, attracts scholars’ attention because of its benefits in lowering the risk of developing CRC. Hence, we try to find the common grounds of initiation of T2DM and CRC and the reason why metformin reduces the risk of CRC in patients with T2DM. We noticed consistent changes of gut microbiota, such as elevated Bacteroides, Prevotella and Bifidobacterium and depressed Firmicutes and Lactobacillus. Furthermore, many studies in recent years have proved that the efficacy of metformin, such as improving blood glucose, depends on the gut microbiota. Coincidentally, the progression of CRC is inseparable from the contributions of gut microbiota. Therefore, we first proposed the concept of the metformin-gut microbiota–CRC (in T2DM) axis to explain the effect of metformin in reducing CRC in patients with T2DM. In this review, we elaborated the new concept and its potential clinical application value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-You Huang
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
| | - Fei Yao
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chuan-Ren Zhou
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Huang
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hui Long
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianyou Affiliated Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430064, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qing-Ming Wu
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, Hubei Province, China
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24
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The replicative CMG helicase: the ideal target for cancer therapy. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.15407/ubj92.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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25
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Zhang M, Chen X, Radacsi N. New tricks of old drugs: Repurposing non-chemo drugs and dietary phytochemicals as adjuvants in anti-tumor therapies. J Control Release 2020; 329:96-120. [PMID: 33259852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combination therapy has long been applied to enhance therapeutic effect and deal with the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in cancer treatment. However, the overlapping toxicity of multiple anticancer drugs to healthy tissues and increasing financial burden on patients emerged as major concerns. As promising alternatives to chemo agents, repurposed non-chemo drugs and dietary phytochemicals have been investigated as adjuvants to conventional anti-tumor therapeutics, offering a safe and economic strategy for combination therapy. In this review, we aim to highlight the advances in research about combination therapy using conventional therapeutics and repurposed drugs or phytochemicals for an enhanced anti-tumor efficacy, along with the mechanisms involved in the synergism. Beyond these, we outlined the potential challenges and solutions for clinical translation of the proposed combination therapy, providing a safe and affordable strategy to improve the reach of cancer therapy to low income regions with such new tricks of old drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhang
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, United Kingdom; School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, United Kingdom.
| | - Xianfeng Chen
- School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, United Kingdom.
| | - Norbert Radacsi
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, United Kingdom.
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26
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Fu S, Wang Y, Li H, Chen L, Liu Q. Regulatory Networks of LncRNA MALAT-1 in Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:10181-10198. [PMID: 33116873 PMCID: PMC7575067 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s276022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs are a group of RNAs with a length greater than 200 nt that do not encode a protein but play an essential role in regulating the expression of target genes in normal biological contexts as well as pathologic processes including tumorigenesis. The lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript (MALAT)-1 has been widely studied in cancer. In this review, we describe the known functions of MALAT-1; its mechanisms of action; and associated signaling pathways and their clinical significance in different cancers. In most malignancies, including lung, colorectal, thyroid, and other cancers, MALAT-1 functions as an oncogene and is upregulated in tumors and tumor cell lines. MALAT-1 has a distinct mechanism of action in each cancer type and is thus at the center of large gene regulatory networks. Dysregulation of MALAT-1 affects cellular processes such as alternative splicing, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, and autophagy, which ultimately results in the abnormal cell proliferation, invasion, and migration that characterize cancers. In other malignancies, such as glioma and endometrial carcinoma, MALAT-1 functions as a tumor suppressor and thus forms additional regulatory networks. The current evidence indicates that MALAT-1 and its associated signaling pathways can serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target in the treatment of many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijian Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yuebei People's Hospital of Shaoguan, The Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shaoguan 512025, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Leilei Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanzhong Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
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27
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MCM family in gastrointestinal cancer and other malignancies: From functional characterization to clinical implication. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188415. [PMID: 32822825 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in cancer research and treatment, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain the most common deadly disease worldwide. The aberrant DNA replication serves as a major source of genomic instability and enhances cell proliferation that contributes to tumor initiation and progression. Minichromosome maintenance family (MCMs) is a well-recognized group of proteins responsible for DNA synthesis. Recent studies suggested that dysregulated MCMs lead to tumor initiation, progression, and chemoresistance via modulating cell cycle and DNA replication stress. Their underlying mechanisms in various cancer types have been gradually identified. Furthermore, multiple studies have investigated the association between MCMs expression and clinicopathological features of cancer patients, implying that MCMs might serve as prominent prognostic biomarkers for GI cancers. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the oncogenic role of MCM proteins and highlights their clinical implications in various malignancies, especially in GI cancers. Targeting MCMs might shed light on the potential for identifying novel therapeutic strategies.
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28
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Fong W, To KKW. Drug repurposing to overcome resistance to various therapies for colorectal cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:3383-3406. [PMID: 31087119 PMCID: PMC11105507 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emergence of novel treatment modalities provides effective therapeutic options, apart from conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, to fight against colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, drug resistance remains a huge challenge in clinics, leading to invariable occurrence of disease progression after treatment initiation. While novel drug development is unfavorable in terms of time frame and costs, drug repurposing is one of the promising strategies to combat resistance. This approach refers to the application of clinically available drugs to treat a different disease. With the well-established safety profile and optimal dosing of these approved drugs, their combination with current cancer therapy is suggested to provide an economical, safe and efficacious approach to overcome drug resistance and prolong patient survival. Here, we review both preclinical and clinical efficacy, as well as cellular mechanisms, of some extensively studied repurposed drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, metformin, chloroquine, disulfiram, niclosamide, zoledronic acid and angiotensin receptor blockers. The three major treatment modalities in the management of colorectal cancer, namely classical cytotoxic chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Fong
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Room 801N, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Area 39, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kenneth K W To
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Room 801N, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Area 39, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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29
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Post-Translational Modifications of the Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Proteins in DNA Replication. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050331. [PMID: 31052337 PMCID: PMC6563057 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) complex, composed of MCM proteins 2-7, is the core component of the replisome that acts as the DNA replicative helicase to unwind duplex DNA and initiate DNA replication. MCM10 tightly binds the cell division control protein 45 homolog (CDC45)/MCM2-7/ DNA replication complex Go-Ichi-Ni-San (GINS) (CMG) complex that stimulates CMG helicase activity. The MCM8-MCM9 complex may have a non-essential role in activating the pre-replicative complex in the gap 1 (G1) phase by recruiting cell division cycle 6 (CDC6) to the origin recognition complex (ORC). Each MCM subunit has a distinct function achieved by differential post-translational modifications (PTMs) in both DNA replication process and response to replication stress. Such PTMs include phosphorylation, ubiquitination, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylation, O-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc)ylation, and acetylation. These PTMs have an important role in controlling replication progress and genome stability. Because MCM proteins are associated with various human diseases, they are regarded as potential targets for therapeutic development. In this review, we summarize the different PTMs of the MCM proteins, their involvement in DNA replication and disease development, and the potential therapeutic implications.
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30
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Luo C, Yao D, Lim TK, Lin Q, Liu Y. Identification of the Altered Proteins Related to Colon Carcinogenesis by iTRAQ-based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis. CURR PROTEOMICS 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570164616666181129111542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:The molecular mechanisms or valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) are not fully elucidated yet.Objective:To understand the proteomic changes at the global level in the carcinogenesis of CRC, differentially expressed proteins between normal intestinal epithelial cells CCD841 and colorectal cancer cells HCT116 were identified.Method:The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with 2D LC-MS/MS proteomic approach were performed for screening the altered proteins between cells CCD841 and HCT116.Results:A total of 1947 proteins were identified after filtering and using a 1% false discovery rate. Based on a final cutoff (> 3.16 and < 0.32), 229 proteins were found to be significantly altered, among which 95 (41%) were up-regulated while 134 (59%) were down-regulated. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly cell part proteins involved in cellular process and binding in terms of subcellular distribution, biological process, and molecular function. KEGG analysis indicated that the differentially expressed proteins were significantly involved in the process of focal adhesion, pathogenic Escherichia coli infection, leukocyte transendothelial migration, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, DNA replication and so on.Conclusion:Collectively, our data identified differentially expressed proteins in colon cancer carcinogenesis, which could provide the clues on unraveling the molecular mechanism of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Luo
- The Department of Pathology, Xiamen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Defu Yao
- Department of Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Teck Kwang Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingsong Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yingfu Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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31
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Ji DG, Guan LY, Luo X, Ma F, Yang B, Liu HY. Inhibition of MALAT1 sensitizes liver cancer cells to 5-flurouracil by regulating apoptosis through IKKα/NF-κB pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:33-40. [PMID: 29702091 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is involved in tumor cell growth process. However, its role and molecular mechanism in liver cancer is still not fully understood. In this study, we found that MALAT1 was significantly expressed in liver cancer cell lines. And knockdown of MALAT1 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells, accompanied with decrease of Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), N-cadherin, Vimentin and TWIST. Significantly, MALAT1 deletion sensitized HepG2 cells to 5-FU-induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, as evidenced by the significant reduction in Cyclin D1 and CDK4 and increase in p53, p21 and p27 protein levels. In addition, MALAT1 knockdown triggered 5-FU induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by inducing intrinsic apoptosis-related signals, including Cyto-c, Apaf-1, cleaved Caspase-9/-7/-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Furthermore, phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB) was also down-regulated by MALAT1 silence. Importantly, suppression of IKKα/NF-κB significantly elevated apoptosis and reduced liver cancer cell viability in MALAT1-knockdown cells with 5-FU incubation. The nude mice transplantation model also confirmed the promoted sensitivity of MALAT1-silenced HepG2 cells to 5-FU by blocking tumor cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Therefore, our data supplied a potential mechanism by which knockdown of MALAT1 might play an important role in augmenting sensitivity of HepG2 cells to 5-FU in therapeutic approaches, demonstrating suppressing of MALAT1 may serve as a combination with chemotherapeutic agents in liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Gang Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Lian-Yue Guan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China.
| | - Hong-Yu Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No.126, Xiantan Street, Changchun, 130033, China
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32
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Seo YS, Kang YH. The Human Replicative Helicase, the CMG Complex, as a Target for Anti-cancer Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:26. [PMID: 29651420 PMCID: PMC5885281 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA helicases unwind or rearrange duplex DNA during replication, recombination and repair. Helicases of many pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa have been studied as potential therapeutic targets to treat infectious diseases, and human DNA helicases as potential targets for anti-cancer therapy. DNA replication machineries perform essential tasks duplicating genome in every cell cycle, and one of the important functions of these machineries are played by DNA helicases. Replicative helicases are usually multi-subunit protein complexes, and the minimal complex active as eukaryotic replicative helicase is composed of 11 subunits, requiring a functional assembly of two subcomplexes and one protein. The hetero-hexameric MCM2-7 helicase is activated by forming a complex with Cdc45 and the hetero-tetrameric GINS complex; the Cdc45-Mcm2-7-GINS (CMG) complex. The CMG complex can be a potential target for a treatment of cancer and the feasibility of this replicative helicase as a therapeutic target has been tested recently. Several different strategies have been implemented and are under active investigations to interfere with helicase activity of the CMG complex. This review focuses on the molecular function of the CMG helicase during DNA replication and its relevance to cancers based on data published in the literature. In addition, current efforts made to identify small molecules inhibiting the CMG helicase to develop anti-cancer therapeutic strategies were summarized, with new perspectives to advance the discovery of the CMG-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Soo Seo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young-Hoon Kang
- Core Protein Resources Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
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Xie W, Li T, Yang J, Shang M, Xiao Y, Li Q, Yang J. Metformin use and survival outcomes in endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:73079-73086. [PMID: 29069850 PMCID: PMC5641193 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have evaluated the effects of metformin use on survival outcomes in endometrial cancer, but their results are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of the drug's effects based on available evidence. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify relevant studies that evaluated the association between metformin use on survival outcomes in endometrial cancer. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association of metformin use with overall survival and with progression-free survival using a fixed-effects model. A total of nine studies involving 2,016 patients with endometrial cancer were identified. In a meta-analysis of eight studies involving 1,594 individuals, metformin use was associated with significant improvements in overall survival (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.64). Metformin users similarly showed improved progression-free survival in a meta-analysis of two studies involving 632 individuals (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.87). In conclusion, endometrial cancer patients who use metformin show improved overall survival and progression-free survival. Further studies are required to confirm the full potential effects of metformin use on survival outcomes in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tianjia Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Mengmeng Shang
- Department of Scientific Research, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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