Calpain2 Upregulation Regulates EMT-Mediated Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis via the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Amentoflavone regulates the miR-124-3p/CAPN2 axis to promote mitochondrial autophagy in HCC cells

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with poor prognosis and high mortality. Amentoflavone (AF) possesses the characteristics of marginal toxicity, stable curative effect, and good anti-HCC activity. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanism of AF inhibiting HCC and provide a new idea for HCC treatment.

METHODS

Clinical tissue of HCC was collected. AF was given with HCC cells, and transfected with corresponding vectors. MiR-124-3p expression in HCC clinical samples and cells was ascertained by qRT-PCR assay. HCC cells viability was identified by CCK-8 assay. LC3 protein expression was ascertained by immunofluorescence assay. The expressions of CAPN2, β-catenin and mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins were detected by western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the targeting relationship of miR-124-3p and CAPN2.

RESULTS

MiR-124-3p expression was inhibited and CAPN2 expression was increased in HCC tissues and cells. AF decreased HCC cell viability, up-regulated miR-124-3p expression, and inhibited CAPN2 expression and β-catenin nuclear transcription. Moreover, AF could activate the mitochondrial autophagy of HCC cells. MiR-124-3p specifically regulated CAPN2 expression. This study found that CAPN2 could promote β-catenin nuclear translocation, thus activating wnt/β-catenin pathway to inhibit mitochondrial autophagy in HCC cells. MiR-124-3p mimics enhanced AF function in promoting mitochondrial autophagy in HCC cells. However, CAPN2 overexpression, miR-124-3p inhibitor and SKL2001 attenuated the effectiveness of AF.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that AF regulated miR-124-3p/CAPN2 axis to restraint β-catenin nuclear translocation and then inhibit the wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby promoting mitochondrial autophagy in HCC.

PITX2 functions as a transcription factor for GPX4 and protects pancreatic cancer cells from ferroptosis

Ferroptosis inhibits tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells, while PITX2 is known to function as a pro-oncogenic factor in various tumor types, protecting them from ferroptosis and thereby promoting tumor progression. In this study, we sought to investigate the regulatory role of PITX2 in tumor cell ferroptosis within the context of pancreatic cancer. We conducted PITX2 knockdown experiments using lentiviral infection in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, namely PANC-1 and BxPC-3. We assessed protein expression through immunoblotting and mRNA expression through RT-PCR. To confirm PITX2 as a transcription factor for GPX4, we employed Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Dual-luciferase assays. Furthermore, we used flow cytometry to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis and employed confocal microscopy to assess mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial structural changes and evaluate PITX2's regulation of ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Our findings demonstrated that PITX2, functioning as a transcription factor for GPX4, promoted GPX4 expression, thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer cells and consequently promoting tumor progression. Moreover, PITX2 enhanced the invasive and migratory capabilities of pancreatic cancer cells by activating the WNT signaling pathway. Knockdown of PITX2 increased ferroptosis and inhibited the proliferation of PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Notably, the inhibitory effect on ferroptosis resulting from PITX2 overexpression in these cells could be countered using RSL3, an inhibitor of GPX4. Overall, our study established PITX2 as a transcriptional regulator of GPX4 that could promote tumor progression in pancreatic cancer by reducing ferroptosis. These findings suggest that PITX2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for combating ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer.

Multiomics Analysis of the PHLDA Gene Family in Different Cancers and Their Clinical Prognostic Value

The PHLDA (pleckstrin homology-like domain family) gene family is popularly known as a potential biomarker for cancer identification, and members of the PHLDA family have become considered potentially viable targets for cancer treatments. The PHLDA gene family consists of PHLDA1, PHLDA2, and PHLDA3. The predictive significance of PHLDA genes in cancer remains unclear. To determine the role of pleckstrin as a prognostic biomarker in human cancers, we conducted a systematic multiomics investigation. Through various survival analyses, pleckstrin expression was evaluated, and their predictive significance in human tumors was discovered using a variety of online platforms. By analyzing the protein-protein interactions, we also chose a collection of well-known functional protein partners for pleckstrin. Investigations were also carried out on the relationship between pleckstrins and other cancers regarding mutations and copy number alterations. The cumulative impact of pleckstrin and their associated genes on various cancers, Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway analyses were used for their evaluation. Thus, the expression profiles of PHLDA family members and their prognosis in various cancers may be revealed by this study. During this multiomics analysis, we found that among the PHLDA family, PHLDA1 may be a therapeutic target for several cancers, including kidney, colon, and brain cancer, while PHLDA2 can be a therapeutic target for cancers of the colon, esophagus, and pancreas. Additionally, PHLDA3 may be a useful therapeutic target for ovarian, renal, and gastric cancer.

Fundamental insights and molecular interactions in pancreatic cancer: Pathways to therapeutic approaches

The gastrointestinal tract can be affected by a number of diseases that pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant manifestation of them. The prognosis of PC patients is unfavorable and because of their diagnosis at advanced stage, the treatment of this tumor is problematic. Owing to low survival rate, there is much interest towards understanding the molecular profile of PC in an attempt in developing more effective therapeutics. The conventional therapeutics for PC include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as emerging immunotherapy. However, PC is still incurable and more effort should be performed. The molecular landscape of PC is an underlying factor involved in increase in progression of tumor cells. In the presence review, the newest advances in understanding the molecular and biological events in PC are discussed. The dysregulation of molecular pathways including AMPK, MAPK, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin and non-coding RNA transcripts has been suggested as a factor in development of tumorigenesis in PC. Moreover, cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis and necroptosis demonstrate abnormal levels. The EMT and glycolysis in PC cells enhance to ensure their metastasis and proliferation. Furthermore, such abnormal changes have been used to develop corresponding pharmacological and nanotechnological therapeutics for PC.

Molecular profile of metastasis, cell plasticity and EMT in pancreatic cancer: a pre-clinical connection to aggressiveness and drug resistance

The metastasis is a multistep process in which a small proportion of cancer cells are detached from the colony to enter into blood cells for obtaining a new place for metastasis and proliferation. The metastasis and cell plasticity are considered major causes of cancer-related deaths since they improve the malignancy of cancer cells and provide poor prognosis for patients. Furthermore, enhancement in the aggressiveness of cancer cells has been related to the development of drug resistance. Metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has been considered one of the major causes of death in patients and their undesirable prognosis. PC is among the most malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and in addition to lifestyle, smoking, and other factors, genomic changes play a key role in its progression. The stimulation of EMT in PC cells occurs as a result of changes in molecular interaction, and in addition to increasing metastasis, EMT participates in the development of chemoresistance. The epithelial, mesenchymal, and acinar cell plasticity can occur and determines the progression of PC. The major molecular pathways including STAT3, PTEN, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt participate in regulating the metastasis of PC cells. The communication in tumor microenvironment can provide by exosomes in determining PC metastasis. The components of tumor microenvironment including macrophages, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts can modulate PC progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.

HOTAIR: A key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in cancer progression and treatment

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR occupies a central position in the complex domain of cancer biology, particularly concerning its intricate interplay with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted interactions between HOTAIR and the Wnt/β-catenin cascade, elucidating their profound function in cancer growth, progression, and therapeutic strategies. The study commences by underscoring the pivotal role of the Wnt/β-catenin cascade in governing essential cellular activities, emphasizing its dysregulation as a linchpin in cancer initiation and advancement. It introduces HOTAIR as a crucial regulatory entity, influencing gene expression in both healthy and diseased. The core of this review plunges into the intricacies of HOTAIR's engagement with Wnt/β-catenin signaling. It unravels how HOTAIR, through epigenetic modifications and transcriptional control, exerts its influence over key pathway constituents, including β-catenin, Wnt ligands, and target genes. This influence drives unchecked cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, the review underscores the clinical significance of the HOTAIR-Wnt/β-catenin interplay, elucidating its associations with diverse cancer subtypes, patient prognoses, and prospects as a therapy. It provides insights into ongoing research endeavors to develop HOTAIR-targeted treatments and initiatives to facilitate aberrant Wnt/β-catenin activation. Concluding on a forward-looking note, the article accentuates the broader implications of HOTAIR's involvement in cancer biology, including its contributions to therapy resistance and metastatic dissemination. It underscores the importance of delving deeper into these intricate molecular relationships to pave the way for groundbreaking cancer treatment.

Acquired and intrinsic gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer therapy: Environmental factors, molecular profile and drug/nanotherapeutic approaches

A high number of cancer patients around the world rely on gemcitabine (GEM) for chemotherapy. During local metastasis of cancers, surgery is beneficial for therapy, but dissemination in distant organs leads to using chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery to prevent cancer recurrence. Therapy failure can be observed as a result of GEM resistance, threatening life of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. The mortality and morbidity of PC in contrast to other tumors are increasing. GEM chemotherapy is widely utilized for PC suppression, but resistance has encountered its therapeutic impacts. The purpose of current review is to bring a broad concept about role of biological mechanisms and pathways in the development of GEM resistance in PC and then, therapeutic strategies based on using drugs or nanostructures for overcoming chemoresistance. Dysregulation of the epigenetic factors especially non-coding RNA transcripts can cause development of GEM resistance in PC and miRNA transfection or using genetic tools such as siRNA for modulating expression level of these factors for changing GEM resistance are suggested. The overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins and survival genes can contribute to GEM resistance in PC. Moreover, supportive autophagy inhibits apoptosis and stimulates GEM resistance in PC cells. Increase in metabolism, glycolysis induction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulation are considered as other factors participating in GEM resistance in PC. Drugs can suppress tumorigenesis in PC and inhibit survival factors and pathways in increasing GEM sensitivity in PC. More importantly, nanoparticles can increase pharmacokinetic profile of GEM and promote its blood circulation and accumulation in cancer site. Nanoparticles mediate delivery of GEM with genes and drugs to suppress tumorigenesis in PC and increase drug sensitivity. The basic research displays significant connection among dysregulated pathways and GEM resistance, but the lack of clinical application is a drawback that can be responded in future.

Pt-Se-Bonded Nanoprobe for High-Fidelity Detection of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Enhancement of NIR II Photothermal Therapy

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for a high proportion of lung cancer cases globally, but early detection remains challenging, and insufficient oxygen supply at tumor sites leads to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Therefore, the development of core-shell Au@Pt-Se nanoprobes (Au@Pt-Se NPs) with peptide chains linked through Pt-Se bonds was designed and synthesized for NSCLC biomarker protein calcium-activated neutral protease 2 (CAPN2) and photothermal therapy (PTT) enhancement. The NP can be specifically cleaved by CAPN2, resulting in fluorescence recovery to realize the detection. The Pt-Se bonds exhibit excellent resistance to biologically abundant thiols such as glutathione, thus avoiding "false-positive" results and enabling precise detection of NSCLC. Additionally, the platinum (Pt) shell possesses catalase-like properties that catalyze the generation of oxygen from endogenous hydrogen peroxide within the tumor, thereby reducing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) levels and alleviating the hypoxic environment at the tumor site. The Au@Pt-Se NPs exhibit strong absorption bands, enabling the possibility of PTT in the near-infrared II region (NIR II). This study presents an effective approach for the early detection of NSCLC while also serving as an oxygen supplier to alleviate the hypoxic environment and enhance NIR II PTT.

Prognostic significance and immune characteristics of APOE in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignancy affecting the digestive system, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immunotherapy presents a potential lifeline for patients with advanced gastric cancer, emphasizing the need to find new molecular targets that improve the response to immunotherapy. In our research, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis to investigate the expression profiles of apolipoprotein E (APOE) transcription. Subsequently, we examined the correlation between APOE transcription and the prognosis of GC patients. Additionally, we evaluated the connection between APOE transcription and immune cells abundance. To validate our findings, we conducted immunohistochemistry experiment to ascertain the level of APOE protein in GC patients and assessed its prognostic role in a cohort of 97 GC individuals. Our results revealed that APOE is increased in GC tissues, and APOE displays diagnostic potential in distinguishing GC from normal tissues. Notably, upregulated APOE expression in GC patients is associated with unfavorable overall survival. Differential APOE expression was further observed across different immune subtypes of GC, indicating its involvement in immune cell activation and infiltration. Moreover, we detected increased APOE protein expression in GC tissues, which exhibited a strong correlation with poor survival outcomes. In light of these findings, APOE has become a crucial prognostic molecular with immunomodulatory function in GC. These results underscore the significance of APOE across various cancer types, including GC, and provide valuable insights into its role from both a bioinformatics and clinical perspective.

Two-Dimensional-PAGE Coupled with nLC-MS/MS-Based Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins and Tumorigenic Pathways in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells Transfected for JTB Protein Silencing

The identification of new cancer-associated genes/proteins, the characterization of their expression variation, the interactomics-based assessment of differentially expressed genes/proteins (DEGs/DEPs), and understanding the tumorigenic pathways and biological processes involved in BC genesis and progression are necessary and possible by the rapid and recent advances in bioinformatics and molecular profiling strategies. Taking into account the opinion of other authors, as well as based on our own team's in vitro studies, we suggest that the human jumping translocation breakpoint (hJTB) protein might be considered as a tumor biomarker for BC and should be studied as a target for BC therapy. In this study, we identify DEPs, carcinogenic pathways, and biological processes associated with JTB silencing, using 2D-PAGE coupled with nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) proteomics applied to a MCF7 breast cancer cell line, for complementing and completing our previous results based on SDS-PAGE, as well as in-solution proteomics of MCF7 cells transfected for JTB downregulation. The functions of significant DEPs are analyzed using GSEA and KEGG analyses. Almost all DEPs exert pro-tumorigenic effects in the JTBlow condition, sustaining the tumor suppressive function of JTB. Thus, the identified DEPs are involved in several signaling and metabolic pathways that play pro-tumorigenic roles: EMT, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, mTOR, C-MYC, NF-κB, IFN-γ and IFN-α responses, UPR, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. These pathways sustain cancer cell growth, adhesion, survival, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, resistance to apoptosis, tight junctions and cytoskeleton reorganization, the maintenance of stemness, metabolic reprogramming, survival in a hostile environment, and sustain a poor clinical outcome. In conclusion, JTB silencing might increase the neoplastic phenotype and behavior of the MCF7 BC cell line. The data is available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD046265.

Elaiophylin Elicits Robust Anti-Tumor Responses via Apoptosis Induction and Attenuation of Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, and Angiogenesis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. In this study, we investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of elaiophylin, a novel compound, in targeting BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. We comprehensively explore elaiophylin's impact on apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, migration suppression, invasion attenuation, and angiogenesis inhibition, key processes contributing to cancer progression and metastasis. The results demonstrate that elaiophylin exerts potent pro-apoptotic effects, inducing a substantial increase in apoptotic cells. Additionally, elaiophylin significantly inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, elaiophylin exhibits remarkable anti-angiogenic activity, effectively disrupting tube formation in HUVECs. Moreover, elaiophylin significantly inhibits the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Our findings collectively demonstrate the multifaceted potential of elaiophylin as a promising therapeutic agent against pancreatic cancer via inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. By targeting diverse cellular processes crucial for cancer progression, elaiophylin emerges as a prospective candidate for future targeted therapies. Further investigation of the in vivo efficacy of elaiophylin is warranted, potentially paving the way for novel and effective treatment approaches in pancreatic cancer management.

Expression, prognostic value and mechanism of SP100 family in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a very poor prognosis. Exploring more therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers is of great significance to improve the prognosis of PAAD patients. Increasing evidence supports that the speckled protein (SP) 100 family is associated with human cancer and immune disorders. However, the function of the SP100 family members in PAAD is still unclear.

METHODS

R, Cytoscape, cBioPortal, and other software and online databases were used to comprehensively analyze the expression characteristics, prognostic value, and oncogenic mechanism of the SP100 family in PAAD.

RESULTS

The high expression of SP100 family members in PAAD was significantly correlated with poor clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of PAAD patients. Mechanistically, TP53 mutations were significantly associated with the expression levels of the SP100 family members, which were significantly coexpressed with M6A methylation regulators and were activated in multiple oncogenic pathways, including the EMT pathways. Moreover, we found that their expression levels were significantly correlated with the sensitivity of multiple traditional chemotherapeutic drugs.

CONCLUSION

The SP100 family is closely related to the occurrence and development of PAAD and can be used as a new biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with PAAD.

[Latest Findings on the Effect of Gastrointestinal Microecology Remodeling of Tumor Microenvironment on Tumor Stemness]

Gastrointestinal microecology (GM) system is composed of normal gut microbiota and its living environment. The impact of GM on human health and many diseases has been widely studied. The impact of GM system on tumors is mainly reflected in the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME, a special microenvironment that tumors live in, can regulate the characteristics of tumor cells and affect the occurrence and development of tumors through intercellular contact and the secretion of cytokines. At present, cancer stem cell (CSC) model is considered an important theory that explains the origin and malignant progression of tumors. The formation and proliferation of CSC usually represent increased tumor invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance, resulting in poor clinical prognosis in patients. Therefore, it is important to study the role and mechanism through which GM system affects the acquisition of CSC characteristics through remodeling TME, thereby affecting tumor invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Studies on this topic are of great significance for clinical understanding of tumor malignant progression and improving tumor treatment outcomes. However, due to the low content of single bacteria in the gastrointestinal model, high heterogeneity, and difficulty in tracing distant metastasis, there are still great limitations in the previous research. Herein, we reviewed the research progress in the effect of GM remodeling of TME on the acquisition of tumor stemness, tumor invasion and metastasis, and the resistance to chemotherapy.

Prognostic value, immune signature and molecular mechanisms of the SUMO family in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) has a high degree of malignancy and a very poor prognosis, and the 5-year overall survival rate of patients is approximately 7%. To improve the prognosis of patients with PAAD, a more comprehensive and in-depth study of the pathogenesis of PAAD and the identification of new diagnostic markers and treatment targets are urgently needed. Increasing evidence supports that the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) family is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers. However, the function of the SUMO family in PAAD is not clear, and related research is very scarce. Methods: R, Cytoscape, cBioPortal, and other software and online databases were used to comprehensively analyze the expression characteristics, prognostic value, and oncogenic mechanism of the SUMO family in PAAD. Results: SUMO family members are highly expressed in PAAD, and high expression of SUMO family members is significantly associated with poor clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in PAAD patients. In addition, SUMO family members are significantly coexpressed with M6A methylation regulators and various oncogenes and play an activating role in various oncogenic pathways, including EMT. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the close association between SUMO family members and TP53 mutation status and the negative regulatory effect of SUMO1/2 on PAAD immunity may represent the potential mechanism by which SUMO family members promote the development of PAAD. Moreover, the coexpression characteristics of SUMO family members and a variety of cancer-promoting immune checkpoint genes, as well as the positive correlation between SUMO4 expression level and the sensitivity of various targeted or chemotherapeutic drugs, including gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin, suggest future clinical directions of this study. Conclusion: The SUMO family is closely related to the occurrence and development of PAAD and can be used as a new biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with PAAD.

Prognostic value, immune signature and molecular mechanisms of the APOBEC family members APOBEC1, APOBEC3A, APOBEC3G and APOBEC3H in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: Increasing evidence supports that the APOBEC family is associated with development of a variety of cancers. However, the function of APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is still unclear. Methods: Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis using R (version 3.6.3), TISIDB, Metascape etc. were performed to study the clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic value, immune features and functional mechanisms of the APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H in PAAD. Results: APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H showed significantly elevated expression in PAAD than para-cancerous or normal tissues. Their high expression or amplification were significantly correlated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in PAAD patients. In addition, the role of APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H in the immune regulation is diverse and complex, the high expression of APOBEC1 may inhibit the infiltration level of many kinds of immunoreactive tumor-infiltrating cells, which may be an important factor leading to immune escape of PAAD cells. Mechanistically, APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H played an activating role in multiple oncogenic pathways, including the EMT, RAS/MAPK and TSC/mTOR pathways. Moreover, we found that the expression level of APOBEC3G was positively correlated with the sensitivity of gemcitabine and doxorubicin. Conclusion: APOBEC1/3A/3G/3H play an oncogenic role in the development of PAAD and might serve as new biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Prognostic Value, Immune Signature, and Molecular Mechanisms of the PHLDA Family in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background: Increasing evidence supports the belief that the pleckstrin homology domain family A (PHLDA) family is associated with the development of a variety of cancers. However, the function of the PHLDA family members in PAAD is still unclear. Methods: Comprehensive bioinformatic analyses using R (version 3.6.3), Cytoscape (version 3.9.1), UALCAN, etc., were performed to study the clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic value, immune features, and functional mechanisms of the PHLDA family members in PAAD. Results: The PHLDA family members showed significantly elevated expression in PAAD compared with paracancerous or normal tissues. Their high expression or amplification were significantly correlated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in PAAD patients. In addition, the role of the PHLDA family members in the immune regulation is diverse and complex. Mechanistically, TP53 mutations were significantly associated with the promoter methylation and expression levels of the PHLDA family members, which were activated in multiple oncogenic pathways, including the EMT, RAS/MAPK, and TSC/mTOR pathways. Moreover, we found that their expression levels were significantly correlated with the sensitivity of multiple traditional chemotherapeutic drugs and novel targeted MEK1/2 inhibitors. Conclusion: The PHLDA family members play an oncogenic role in the development of PAAD and might serve as new biomarkers or therapeutic targets.