Ferroptosis in glioma treatment: Current situation, prospects and drug applications

DNA Damage Repair in Glioblastoma: A Novel Approach to Combat Drug Resistance

Due to the lack of effective therapeutic approach, glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most malignant brain tumour. By in vitro investigations on primary GBM stem cells, we highlighted one of the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance to alkylating agents, the DNA damage responses. Here, flow cytometric analysis and viability and repopulation assays were used to assess the long-term cytotoxic effect induced by the administration of a fourth-generation platinum prodrug, the (OC-6-44)-acetatodiamminedichlorido(2-(2-propynyl)octanoato) platinum(IV) named Pt(IV)Ac-POA, in comparison to the most widely used Cisplatin. The immunofluorescence studies revealed changing pathways involved in the DNA damage response mechanisms in response to the two chemotherapies, suggesting in particular the role of Poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerases in the onset of resistance to Cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Thus, this research provides a proof of concept for how the use of a prodrug which allows the co-administration of Cisplatin and an Histone DeACetylase inhibitors, could suppress DNA repair mechanisms, suggesting a novel effective approach in GBM treatment.

Inhibition of miR-9-3p facilitates ferroptosis by activating SAT1/p53 pathway in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and accounts for about 40% of all lung cancer cases. This research aims to investigate the effects of miR-9-3p on ferroptosis in LUAD cells and to elucidate its regulatory mechanisms. Studies have shown that LUAD is related to ferroptosis, and specific microRNAs (miRNA) are also related to ferroptosis. However, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-9-3p induces ferroptosis in LUAD.

Methods

Our study comprehensively analyzed multiple databases to investigate miR-9-3p expression in LUAD tissues. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was utilized to detect miR-9-3p levels in LUAD cells and tissues, examining its prognostic significance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays assessed the impact of miR-9-3p on lipid peroxidation in LUAD cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to evaluate the binding affinity between miR-9-3p and target genes, while Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the regulation of miR-9-3p on downstream signaling pathways.

Results

We observed that miR-9-3p was upregulated in LUAD cells by qPCR, and the ferroptosis of LUAD cells increased upon treatment with erastin following the transfection of miR-9-3p inhibitor. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), ROS, and SOD activity assays confirmed that inhibiting miR-9-3p enhanced lipid peroxidation in LUAD cells, contributing to higher rates of ferroptosis. Subsequent dual-luciferase reporter assays validated spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) as a target gene of miR-9-3p. Further Western blot confirmed that miR-9-3p regulated the expression of SAT1 and p53 proteins in p53 wild-type (WT) LUAD cells. Rescue experiments demonstrated that SAT1 was necessary for miR-9-3p to promote cell proliferation and suppress ferroptosis in p53 WT LUAD cells. Additionally, the effect of miR-9-3p on ferroptosis in LUAD cells was regulated by p53 signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings demonstrate that miR-9-3p negatively regulates ferroptosis in LUAD cells through SAT1 and p53 signaling pathway, suggesting that miR-9-3p plays a crucial role in LUAD pathogenesis and targeting this miRNA with an inhibitor exhibits promising potential for the treatment of LUAD.

Research progress on ferroptosis in gliomas (Review)

Glioma is the most prevalent type of brain tumor characterized by a poor 5-year survival rate and a high mortality rate. Malignant gliomas are commonly treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, due to toxicity and resistance to chemoradiotherapy, these treatments can be ineffective. Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in patients with glioma, adversely affecting disease prognosis and posing societal concerns. Ferroptosis is a type of non-apoptotic, iron-dependent cell death characterized by the accumulation of lethal reactive oxygen species produced by iron metabolism, and it serves a key role in numerous diseases. Regulation of iron phagocytosis may serve as a therapeutic strategy for the development of novel glioma treatments. The present review discusses the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and regulation of ferroptosis, its role in the genesis and evolution of gliomas, and its association with glioma-related anxiety and depression. By exploring potential targets for glioma treatment, the present review provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against glioma.

Novel Insight into Ferroptosis in Kidney Diseases

BACKGROUND

Various kidney diseases such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, renal cancer, and kidney stones, are an important part of the global burden, bringing a huge economic burden to people around the world. Ferroptosis is a type of nonapoptotic iron-dependent cell death caused by the excess of iron-dependent lipid peroxides and accompanied by abnormal iron metabolism and oxidative stress. Over the past few decades, several studies have shown that ferroptosis is associated with many types of kidney diseases. Studying the mechanism of ferroptosis and related agonists and inhibitors may provide new ideas and directions for the treatment of various kidney diseases.

SUMMARY

In this review, we discuss the differences between ferroptosis and other types of cell death such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, cuprotosis, pathophysiological features of the kidney, and ferroptosis-induced kidney injury. We also provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in ferroptosis and events that lead to ferroptosis. Furthermore, we summarize the possible clinical applications of this mechanism among various kidney diseases.

KEY MESSAGE

The current research suggests that future therapeutic efforts to treat kidney ailments would benefit from a focus on ferroptosis.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-derived deep learning network to determine ferroptosis-related gene signatures in gliomas

Introduction

Ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) signature is important for assessing novel therapeutic approaches and prognosis in glioma. We trained a deep learning network for determining FRG signatures using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

FRGs of patients with glioma were acquired from public databases. FRG-related risk score stratifying prognosis was developed from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and validated using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas. Multiparametric MRI-derived glioma images and the corresponding genomic information were obtained for 122 cases from TCGA and The Cancer Imaging Archive. The deep learning network was trained using 3D-Resnet, and threefold cross-validation was performed to evaluate the predictive performance.

Results

The FRG-related risk score was associated with poor clinicopathological features and had a high predictive value for glioma prognosis. Based on the FRG-related risk score, patients with glioma were successfully classified into two subgroups (28 and 94 in the high- and low-risk groups, respectively). The deep learning networks TC (enhancing tumor and non-enhancing portion of the tumor core) mask achieved an average cross-validation accuracy of 0.842 and an average AUC of 0.781, while the deep learning networks WT (whole tumor and peritumoral edema) mask achieved an average cross-validation accuracy of 0.825 and an average AUC of 0.781.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that FRG signature is a prognostic indicator of glioma. In addition, we developed a deep learning network that has high classification accuracy in automatically determining FRG signatures, which may be an important step toward the clinical translation of novel therapeutic approaches and prognosis of glioma.