Phytochemical-based nanodrugs going beyond the state-of-the-art in cancer management-Targeting cancer stem cells in the framework of predictive, preventive, personalized medicine

Targeting the MAPK signaling pathway: implications and prospects of flavonoids in 3P medicine as modulators of cancer cell plasticity and therapeutic resistance in breast cancer patients

Cancer drug resistance poses a significant challenge in oncology, primarily driven by cancer cell plasticity, which promotes tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic evasion in many different cancers. Breast cancers (BCs) are a prominent example of that, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 BC-related deaths registered worldwide annually. Triple-negative BC is especially challenging for treatments demonstrating particularly aggressive disease course, an early manifestation of metastatic disease, frequent drug-resistant cancer types, and poor individual outcomes. Although chemosensitizing agents have been developed, their clinical utility in oncology remains unproven. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is considered a critical regulator of intracellular and extracellular signaling highly relevant for both — genetic and epigenetic modifications. Dysregulation of the MAPK signaling pathways plays a significant role in conferring chemoresistance in BC. Contextually, targeting the MAPK pathway represents a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents in BC treatment. On the other hand, flavonoids, a prominent class of phytochemicals, are key modulators of MAPK signaling. Flavonoids interact with the ERK, JNK, p38, and ERK5 pathways of the MAPK signaling cascade and present a promising avenue for developing novel anti-cancer therapies and re-sensitizing agents for the treatment of BC. Compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol, genistein, luteolin, myricetin, EGCG, baicalein, baicalin, nobiletin, morin, delphinidin, acacetin, isorhamnetin, apigenin, silymarin, among others, have been identified as specific modulators of MAPK signaling, exerting complex downstream effects in BC cells increasing therewith drug efficacy and suppressing tumor growth and aggressivity. These properties reflect mechanisms of great clinical relevance to overcome therapeutic resistance in overall BC management. This article highlights corresponding mechanisms and provides clinically relevant illustrations in the framework of 3P medicine for primary (protection of individuals at high risk against health-to-disease transition) and secondary care (protection against metastatic BC progression). 3PM novelty makes good use of patient phenotyping and stratification, predictive multi-level diagnostics, and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to the individualized interpretation of big data — all proposed for cost-effective treatments tailored to individualized patient profiles with clear benefits to patients and advanced BC management.

Targeting Cancer Stemness Using Nanotechnology in a Holistic Approach: A Narrative Review

Increasing evidence shows that a very small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and metastasis. CSCs usually reside in hypoxic tumor regions and are characterized by high tumorigenicity. Their inaccessible nature allows them to avoid the effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In addition, conventional chemo- and radiotherapy is potentially toxic and could help CSCs to spread and survive. New therapeutic targets against CSCs are sought, including different signaling pathways and distinct cell surface markers. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided hope for the development of new therapeutic avenues to eradicate CSCs. In this review, we present newly discovered nanoparticles that can be co-loaded with an apoptosis-inducing agent or differentiation-inducing agent, with high stability, cellular penetration, and drug release. We also summarize the molecular characteristics of CSCs and the signaling pathways responsible for their survival and maintenance. Controlled drug release targeting CSCs aims to reduce stemness-related drug resistance, suppress tumor growth, and prevent tumor relapse and metastases.

Isoorientin: Unveiling the hidden flavonoid's promise in combating cancer development and progression - A comprehensive review

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the ability of tumors to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant organs. Despite significant advancements in early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, many cancers still present substantial challenges due to their heterogeneity, resistance to conventional therapies, and severe side effects of existing treatments. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for novel therapeutic agents to selectively target cancer cells, enhance the efficacy of current treatments, and minimize adverse effects. Isoorientin (ISO) is a naturally occurring flavonoid known for its anticancer properties. ISO has demonstrated the ability to influence several critical processes in cancer progression, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Due to the absence of clinical trials, we included only in vitro studies, reviewing 13 investigations. These studies covered diverse cancer types, including lung, brain, oral, liver, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, and assessed various outcomes related to cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and molecular pathway modulation. By synthesizing data from these investigations, our review seeks to provide a thorough understanding of ISO's anticancer effects, its mechanisms of action, and its potential as a therapeutic agent.

An integrated in vitro human iPSCs-derived neuron and in vivo animal approach for preclinical screening of anti-seizure compounds

INTRODUCTION

One-third of people with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite treatment with existing anti-seizure medications (ASMs). The failure of modern ASMs to substantially improve epilepsy prognosis has been partly attributed to overreliance on acute rodent models in preclinical drug development as they do not adequately recapitulate the mechanisms of human epilepsy, are labor-intensive and unsuitable for high-throughput screening (HTS). There is an urgent need to find human-relevant HTS models in preclinical drug development to identify novel anti-seizure compounds.

OBJECTIVES

This paper developed high-throughput preclinical screening models to identify new ASMs.

METHODS

14 natural compounds (α-asarone, curcumin, vinpocetine, magnolol, ligustrazine, osthole, tanshinone IIA, piperine, gastrodin, quercetin, berberine, chrysin, schizandrin A and resveratrol) were assessed for their ability to suppress epileptiform activity as measured by multi-electrode arrays (MEA) in neural cultures derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In parallel, they were tested for anti-seizure effects in zebrafish and mouse models, which have been widely used in development of modern ASMs. The effects of the compounds in these models were compared. Two approved ASMs were used as positive controls.

RESULTS

Epileptiform activity could be induced in iPSCs-derived neurons following treatment with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and inhibited by standard ASMs, carbamazepine, and phenytoin. Eight of the 14 natural compounds significantly inhibited the epileptiform activity in iPSCs-derived neurons. Among them, piperine, magnolol, α-asarone, and osthole showed significant anti-seizure effects both in zebrafish and mice. Comparative analysis showed that compounds ineffective in the iPSCs-derived neural model also showed no anti-seizure effects in the zebrafish or mouse models.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the use of iPSCs-derived human neurons for first-line high-throughput screening to identify compounds with anti-seizure properties and exclude ineffective compounds. Effective compounds may then be selected for animal evaluation before clinical testing. This integrated approach may improve the efficiency of developing novel ASMs.

Combination Therapy and Phytochemical-Loaded Nanosytems for the Treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and schistosomiasis, impose a significant public health burden, especially in developing countries. Despite control efforts, treatment remains challenging due to drug resistance and lack of effective therapies. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize the current research on the combination therapy and phytochemical-loaded nanosystems, which have emerged as promising strategies to enhance treatment efficacy and safety. Methods/Results: In the present review, we conducted a systematic search of the literature and identified several phytochemicals that have been employed in this way, with the notable efficacy of reducing the parasite load in the liver and spleen in cases of visceral leishmaniasis, as well as lesion size in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Furthermore, they have a synergistic effect against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense rhodesain; reduce inflammation, parasitic load in the myocardium, cardiac hypertrophy, and IL-15 production in Chagas disease; and affect both mature and immature stages of Schistosoma mansoni, resulting in improved outcomes compared to the administration of phytochemicals alone or with conventional drugs. Moreover, the majority of the combinations studied demonstrated enhanced solubility, efficacy, and selectivity, as well as increased immune response and reduced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: These formulations appear to offer significant therapeutic benefits, although further research is required to validate their clinical efficacy in humans and their potential to improve treatment outcomes in affected populations.

A comprehensive review on lncRNA LOXL1-AS1: molecular mechanistic pathways of lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 in tumorigenicity of cancer cells

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are versatile RNAs that regulate various cellular processes, such as gene regulation, by acting as signals, decoys, guides, and scaffolds. A novel recognized lncRNA, LOXL1-antisense RNA 1 (LOXL1-AS1), is dysregulated in some diseases, including cancer, and acts as an oncogenic lncRNA in many types of cancer cells. Upregulation of LOXL1-AS1 has been involved in proliferation, migration, metastasis, and EMT, as well as inhibiting apoptosis in cancer cells. Most importantly, the malignant promoting activity of LOXL1-AS1 can be mostly mediated by sequestering specific miRNAs and inhibiting their binding to the 3´UTR of their target mRNAs, thereby indirectly regulating gene expression. Additionally, LOXL1-AS1 can decoy transcription factors and proteins and prevent their binding to their regulatory regions, inhibiting their mechanistic activity on the regulation of gene expression and signaling pathways. This review presents the mechanistic pathways of the oncogenic role of LOXL1-AS1 by modulating its target miRNAs and proteins in various cancer cells. Having information about the molecular mechanisms regulated by LOXL1-AS1 in cancer cells can open ways to find out particular prognostic biomarkers, as well as discover novel therapeutic approaches for different types of cancer.

Induction of autophagy-dependent and caspase- and microtubule-acetylation-independent cell death by phytochemical-stabilized gold nanopolygons in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

Collective functionalization of the phytochemicals of medicinal herbs on nanoparticles is emerging as a potential cancer therapeutic strategy. This study presents the facile synthesis of surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles using Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi; Bm) phytochemicals and their therapeutically relevant mechanism of action in the colorectal cancer cell line, HT29. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM-EDAX, zeta potential analysis, TGA, FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and HR-LC-MS. The particles (Bm-GNPs) were of polygonal shape and were stable against aggregation. They entered the target cells and inhibited the viability and clonogenicity of the cells with eight times more antiproliferative efficacy (25 ± 1.5 μg mL-1) than Bm extract (Bm-EX). In vitro studies revealed that Bm-GNPs bind tubulin (a protein crucial in cell division and a target of anticancer drugs) and disrupt its helical structure without grossly altering its tertiary conformation. Like other antitubulin agents, Bm-GNPs induced G2/M arrest and ultimately killed the cells, as confirmed using flow cytometry analyses. ZVAD-FMK-mediated global pan-caspase inhibition and the apparent absence of cleaved caspase-3 in treated cells indicated that the death did not involve the classic apoptosis pathway. Cellular ultrastructure analyses, western immunoblots, and in situ immunofluorescence visualization of cellular microtubules revealed microtubule-acetylation-independent induction of autophagy as the facilitator of cell death. Together, the data indicate strong antiproliferative efficacy and a possible mechanism of action for these designer nanoparticles. Bm-GNPs, therefore, merit further investigations, including preclinical evaluations, for their therapeutic potential as inducers of non-apoptotic cell death.

Phytochemical-Based Nanomedicine for Targeting Tumor Microenvironment and Inhibiting Cancer Chemoresistance: Recent Advances and Pharmacological Insights

Cancer remains the leading cause of death and rapidly evolving disease worldwide. The understanding of disease pathophysiology has improved through advanced research investigation, and several therapeutic strategies are being used for better cancer treatment. However, the increase in cancer relapse and metastatic-related deaths indicate that available therapies and clinically approved chemotherapy drugs are not sufficient to combat cancer. Further, the constant crosstalk between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for the development, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response to tumors. In this regard, phytochemicals with multimodal targeting abilities can be used as an alternative to current cancer therapy by inhibiting cancer survival pathways or modulating TME. However, due to their poor pharmacokinetics and low bioavailability, the success of phytochemicals in clinical trials is limited. Therefore, developing phytochemical-based nanomedicine or phytonanomedicine can improve the pharmacokinetic profile of these phytochemicals. Herein, the molecular characteristics and pharmacological insights of the proposed phytonanomedicine in cancer therapy targeting tumor tissue and altering the characteristics of cancer stem cells, chemoresistance, TME, and cancer immunity are well discussed. Further, we have highlighted the clinical perspective and challenges of phytonanomedicine in filling the gap in potential cancer therapeutics using various nanoplatforms. Overall, we have discussed how clinical success and pharmacological insights could make it more beneficial to boost the concept of nanomedicine in the academic and pharmaceutical fields to counter cancer metastases and drug resistance.