Targeting Glucose Metabolism to Overcome Resistance to Anticancer Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

Easy access to a self-assembled glycolipid derived from bhilawanol: a promising anti-cancer drug

In this study, we synthesised a series of self-assembling glycoconjugates derived from bhilawanol under environmentally friendly conditions in good yields. These self-assembling glycoconjugates displayed anti-cancer activity toward HeLa cells at an IC50 value of 125 μM with minimal side effects, holding immense potential in cancer therapeutics.

Membrane drug transporters in cancer: From chemoresistance mechanism to therapeutic strategies

Chemoresistance is a multifactorial phenomenon and the primary cause to the ineffectiveness of oncotherapy and cancer recurrence. Membrane drug transporters are crucial for drug delivery and disposition in cancer cells. Changes in the expression and functionality of these transporters lead to decreased intracellular accumulation and reduced toxicity of antineoplastic drugs. As the mechanism has been better understood and genetic engineering technology progressed quickly in recent years, some novel targeting strategies have come to light. This article summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of membrane drug transporters and provides an extensive review of current approaches to address transporters-mediated chemoresistance. These strategies include the use of chemical inhibitors to block efflux transporters, the development of copper chelators to enhance platinum drug uptake, the delivery of genetic drugs to alter transporter expression, the regulation of transcription and post-translational modifications. Additionally, we provide information of the clinical trial performance of the related targeting strategies, along with the ongoing challenges. Even though some clinical trials failed due to unexpected side effects and limited therapeutic efficacy, the advent of targeting membrane drug transporters still presents a hopeful path for overcoming chemoresistance.

Antibiotic-derived approaches in cancer therapy: effectiveness of ikarugamycin in hexokinase-2 inhibition, tissue factor modulation, and metabolic regulation in breast cancer

We aimed to explore the role of ikarugamycin (IKA) in breast cancer, its connection with hexokinase-2 (HK-2) repression, and tissue factor (TF). This study sought to extend the role of HK-2 as a TF activator in a comprehensive analysis of these interactions from the enzyme, gene, and protein levels. The investigation was performed with MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer lines. The oxidative stress index (OSI), lactate production, and HK activity were assessed using colorimetric assays. Western blot and quantitative PCR analyses were performed to determine HK-2 and TF expressions. Prothrombin time Tests additionally assessed the effect of IKA therapy on TF activation. Three over four significantly downregulated genes were identified after a specific analysis of the IKA's effect on HK-2 and TF in breast cancer cell lines. In the IKA treatment group, lactate production was markedly reduced ( P  < 0.05) and hexokinase activity was found to be reduced in all groups ( P  < 0.05, <0.01). Paclitaxel cytotoxicity independently causes lower OSI in all IKA-treated groups as compared to controls even though OSI is elevated in IKA groups compared to control. Molecular analysis results demonstrated significantly downregulated HK-2 and TF expressions at the protein level ( P  < 0.05, P  < 0.01). Partial thromboplastin time results also showed that IKA-treated cells had longer TF activation duration. A potential indirect association of HK-2 inhibition and TF regulation in breast cancer cells is put forward in this study by presenting IKA's bioactivation of breast cancer in all gene, protein, and enzyme levels.

Exploring the metabolic alterations in cervical cancer induced by HPV oncoproteins: From mechanisms to therapeutic targets

The role of human Papillomavirus (HPV) in metabolic reprogramming is implicated in the development and progression of cervical cancer. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells modify various metabolic pathways to generate energy and sustain their growth and development. Cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women globally, involves metabolic alterations such as increased glycolysis, elevated lactate production, and lipid accumulation. The oncoproteins, primarily E6 and E7, which are encoded by high-risk HPVs, facilitate the accumulation of several cancer markers, promoting not only the growth and development of cancer but also metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. HPV oncoproteins interact with cellular MYC (c-MYC), retinoblastoma protein (pRB), p53, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), leading to the induction of metabolic reprogramming and favour the Warburg effect. Metabolic reprogramming enables HPV to persist for an extended period and accelerates the progression of cervical cancer. This review summarizes the role of HPV oncoproteins in metabolic reprogramming and their contributions to the development and progression of cervical cancer. Additionally, this review provides insights into how metabolic reprogramming opens avenues for novel therapeutic strategies, including the discovery of new and repurposed drugs that could be applied to treat cervical cancer.

Nidogen-1 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and glycolysis via integrin β1-mediated HIF-1α downregulation in triple-negative breast cancer

Nidogen-1 (NID1) is a secreted glycoprotein widely distributed in basement membranes. NID1 interacts with extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and laminin and has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, study on the role of NID1 in breast cancer is scarce and inconsistent. In this work, we found that the expression of NID1 is significantly lower in breast cancer tissue than in normal tissue. In addition, NID1 expression correlated negatively with a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients. Based on those findings, we speculated that NID1 might act as a cancer suppressor in breast cancer. To investigate the role of NID1 in breast cancer, we constructed NID1-overexpressing cell lines. NID1 overexpression decreased breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and in vivo tumor growth. Moreover, glucose metabolism, which is known to enhance cancer cell proliferation and migration, was also decreased by NID1 overexpression. Mechanistically, NID1 overexpression downregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression at the transcription level. Furthermore, we found that NID1 reduced integrin β1 stability and downregulated the transcription of HIF-1α through the FAK/Src/NF-κB p65 signaling axis, which is downstream of integrin β1. Together, the results of this study demonstrate the tumor suppressive role of NID1 in triple-negative breast cancer.

Oxidative phosphorylation and breast cancer progression: insights into PGC-1α's role in mitochondrial function

Breast cancer still ranks high as a leading cause of mortality in women due to its complex relationship with metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a key transcriptional coactivator regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), plays a dual role in breast cancer metabolism. On the one hand, PGC-1α enhances mitochondrial function and energy production, facilitating tumor survival and metastasis, particularly in hypoxic environments. On the other hand, its suppression can limit tumor aggressiveness and energy metabolism. This dual functionality underscores its context-dependent role in cancer progression, where its activation or inhibition varies across tumor subtypes and microenvironmental conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of PGC-1α's dual roles in breast cancer, elucidating its regulation of mitochondrial function, its contribution to tumor progression, and the therapeutic implications of targeting this key metabolic regulator.

Metformin sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to histone deacetylase inhibitors by targeting FGFR4

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high malignancy, strong invasiveness, and a propensity for distant metastasis, leading to poor prognosis and relatively limited treatment options. Metformin, as a first-line oral hypoglycemic agent, has garnered widespread research interest in recent years due to its potential in cancer prevention and treatment. However, its efficacy varies significantly across different tumor types. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), such as SAHA, have demonstrated antitumor activity, but TNBC responds poorly to HDACi monotherapy, possibly due to feedback activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Exploring the synergistic potential and underlying mechanisms of combining metformin with HDACi in TNBC treatment is crucial.

METHODS

We predicted the synergistic effects of metformin and SAHA in TNBC using multiple computational methods (CMap, DTsyn, and DrugComb). We also developed a cancer-specific compound mimic library (CDTSL) and applied a three-step strategy to identify genes fitting the "metformin sensitization" model. Subsequently, we evaluated the synergistic effects of metformin and SAHA in TNBC cell lines through cell proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis assays. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the combined treatment using techniques such as transcriptome sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Western blotting, and measurement of extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Additionally, we assessed the in vivo antitumor effects of the combined therapy in a nude mouse subcutaneous xenograft model.

RESULTS

CMap, DTsyn, and DrugComb all predicted the synergistic effects of SAHA and metformin in TNBC. The screening results revealed that HDAC10 played a key role in metformin sensitization. We found that the combination of metformin and SAHA exhibited synergistic antitumor effects (combination index CI < 0.9) in TNBC cell lines. Mechanistically, metformin inhibited histone acetylation on FGFR4, thereby blocking the feedback activation of FGFR4 downstream pathways induced by SAHA. Furthermore, metformin interfered with the glycolysis process induced by SAHA, altering the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells. In in vivo experiments, the combined treatment of metformin and SAHA significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Metformin enhances the sensitivity of TNBC to HDAC inhibitors by blocking the FGFR4 pathway and interfering with metabolic reprogramming. When used in combination with SAHA, metformin exhibits synergistic antitumor effects. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the combined application of HDAC inhibitors and metformin, potentially offering a new strategy for the treatment of TNBC.

FOXO3a/miR-4259-driven LDHA expression as a key mechanism of gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) can regulate tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Nevertheless, whether the regulation of LDHA is involved in the development of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC has not yet been fully elucidated. Increasing studies have shown that cancer acquired drug resistance led to treatment failure is highly attributed to the cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. Therefore, we aim to demonstrate the functions and regulatory mechanisms of LDHA on cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.

METHODS

We investigate the metabolite profiles by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry between gemcitabine-resistant PDAC and parental PDAC cells. Additionally, gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to examine the roles of LDHA on CSC properties and gemcitabine resistance in the gemcitabine-resistant PDAC and parental PDAC cells. To investigate regulators involved in LDHA-mediated gemcitabine resistance and CSC of pancreatic cancer cells, we further used a combination of the miRNA microarray results and software predictions and confirmed that miR-4259 is a direct target of LDHA by luciferase assay. Furthermore, we constructed serial miR-4259 promoter reporters and searched for response elements using the TESS 2.0/TFSEARCH software to find the transcription factor binding site in the promoter region of miR-4259.

RESULTS

We observed that elevated LDHA expression significantly correlates with recurrent pancreatic cancer patients following gemcitabine treatment and with CSC properties. We further identify that FOXO3a-induced miR-4259 directly targets the 3'untranslated region of LDHA and reduced LDHA expression, leading to decreased gemcitabine resistance and a reduction in the CSC phenotypes of pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that LDHA plays a critical role in cancer stemness and gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer, and indicate that targeting the FOXO3a/miR-4259/LDHA pathway might serve as a new treatment for pancreatic cancer patients with a poor response to gemcitabine chemotherapy.

Immunotherapeutic effects of de novo benzimidazole derivative and prebiotic bacterial levan against triple-negative breast tumors by harnessing the immune landscape to intercept the oncogenic transcriptome

The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a novel benzimidazole derivative (BMPE) and a prebiotic bacterial levan (LevAE) against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in a 4T1-cell syngeneic mouse model and to elucidate the immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotypic changes observed in treated tumors. The metastatic TNBC model was successfully established by subcutaneous inoculation of 100 μL of 4T1 cell suspension (~6000 cells) in the mammary glands of adult female BALB/c mice after brief immunosuppression one day before cell implantation. The therapeutic efficacy of BMPE and LevAE was biochemically, immunologically, and immunohistochemically evaluated. Both compounds exhibited significant antitumor and antimetastatic effects through modulating the tumoral and systemic immune milieus and restoring the TME redox status, which ultimately suppressed the oncogenic transcriptome in the treated breast tumors. Compared to the reference drug (Doxorubicin), BMPE treatment resulted in nearly complete remission within 21 days of treatment, whereas LevAE was less convenient but produced a significant curative outcome. In light of these findings, BMPE and LevAE provide new paradigms for cancer immunotherapy.

Rocaglamide reprograms glucose metabolism in erythroleukemic cells via c-MYC transcriptional regulation of TXNIP and HK2

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views leukemia as an imbalance between cell growth and death mainly caused by blood stasis. Medicinal plants Aglaia Lour. (family Meliaceae) are traditionally used as folk medicine in China. It possesses the effects of removing blood stasis and swelling for treatment of cancer. Rocaglamide (RocA) is the main active phytochemical component of the genus Aglaia Lour. Possessing highly anti-leukemia properties. However, the molecular mechanisms by which RocA exerts its anti-growth effect on erythroleukemia cells are largely unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism and glucose metabolism regulation effects of RocA responsible for its anti-erythroleukemia activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human erythroleukemic cells were tested for glucose metabolism and treated with glucose deprivation and RocA. MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were used to elucidate growth inhibition. Glucose uptake, glucose consumption and lactate production were evaluated for identification of glucose metabolism. Luciferase assay and ChIP were used to examine the transcriptional activity of c-MYC on the conserved E-boxes binding of the TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein) and HK2 (hexokinase 2) genes. siRNA, shRNA and exogenous transfection were employed to elucidate the effects of TXNIP and HK2 on glucose metabolism.

RESULTS

We find that glucose deprivation results in growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and extensive apoptosis in erythroleukemic cells accompanied by downregulation of c-MYC and HK2, responsible for glucose metabolism. The similar results emerged in RocA treated erythroleukemic cells in presence of glucose. RocA is shown to decrease glucose uptake, glucose consumption and lactate production. Mechanistically, RocA dramatically increases TXNIP expression through interference with c-MYC binding to the promoter of the TXNIP gene. RocA also represses c-MYC transcriptional recognition of conserved E-boxes in the HK2 first intron, resulting in HK2 loss. These results implicate c-MYC as an important regulator of TXNIP and HK2 after RocA treatment. TXNIP overexpression or knockdown of HK2 suppresses the proliferation of erythroleukemic cells. Ectopic TXNIP expression restricts glucose uptake and HK2 suppression decreases glucose utilization. Further, our data suggests that loss of HK2 weakens the RocA-driven inhibition effects. We propose repression of c-MYC or the binding by RocA upregulates TXNIP and downregulates HK2, possibly contributes to growth inhibition in human erythroleukemic cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study uncovers molecular mechanism of RocA against leukemic cells proliferation, linking the anti-erythroleukemia properties of RocA to glucose metabolism.

FOSL1 transcriptionally dictates the Warburg effect and enhances chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Dysregulated energy metabolism has emerged as a defining hallmark of cancer, particularly evident in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Distinct from other breast cancer subtypes, TNBC exhibits heightened glycolysis and aggressiveness. However, the transcriptional mechanisms of aerobic glycolysis in TNBC remains poorly understood.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort was utilized to identify genes associated with glycolysis. The role of FOSL1 in glycolysis and tumor growth in TNBC cells was confirmed through both loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments. The subcutaneous xenograft model was established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting FOSL1 in TNBC. Additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were employed to investigate the transcriptional regulation of glycolytic genes mediated by FOSL1.

RESULTS

FOSL1 is identified as a pivotal glycolysis-related transcription factor in TNBC. Functional verification shows that FOSL1 enhances the glycolytic metabolism of TNBC cells, as evidenced by glucose uptake, lactate production, and extracellular acidification rates. Notably, FOSL1 promotes tumor growth in TNBC in a glycolysis-dependent manner, as inhibiting glycolysis with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose markedly diminishes the oncogenic effects of FOSL1 in TNBC. Mechanistically, FOSL1 transcriptionally activates the expression of genes such as SLC2A1, ENO1, and LDHA, which further accelerate the glycolytic flux. Moreover, FOSL1 is highly expressed in doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant TNBC cells and clinical samples from cases of progressive disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Targeting FOSL1 proves effective in overcoming chemoresistance in DOX-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, FOSL1 establishes a robust link between aerobic glycolysis and carcinogenesis, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target, especially in the context of TNBC chemotherapy.

Metabolomics-Driven Biomarker Discovery for Breast Cancer Prognosis and Diagnosis

Breast cancer is a cancer with global prevalence and a surge in the number of cases with each passing year. With the advancement in science and technology, significant progress has been achieved in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer to make ends meet. The scientific intradisciplinary subject of "metabolomics" examines every metabolite found in a cell, tissue, system, or organism from different sources of samples. In the case of breast cancer, little is known about the regulatory pathways that could be resolved through metabolic reprogramming. Evidence related to the significant changes taking place during the onset and prognosis of breast cancer can be obtained using metabolomics. Innovative metabolomics approaches identify metabolites that lead to the discovery of biomarkers for breast cancer therapy, diagnosis, and early detection. The use of diverse analytical methods and instruments for metabolomics includes Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, LC/MS, UPLC/MS, etc., which, along with their high-throughput analysis, give insights into the metabolites and the molecular pathways involved. For instance, metabolome research has led to the discovery of the glutamate-to-glutamate ratio and aerobic glycolysis as biomarkers in breast cancer. The present review comprehends the updates in metabolomic research and its processes that contribute to breast cancer prognosis and metastasis. The metabolome holds a future, and this review is an attempt to amalgamate the present relevant literature that might yield crucial insights for creating innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at addressing metastatic breast cancer.

Terpenoids: Unlocking Their Potential on Cancer Glucose Metabolism

Cancer incidence has increased globally and has become the leading cause of death in the majority of countries. Many cancers have altered energy metabolism pathways, such as increased glucose uptake and glycolysis, as well as decreased oxidative phosphorylation. This is known as the Warburg effect, where cancer cells become more reliant on glucose to generate energy and produce lactate as an end product, even when oxygen is present. These are attributed to the overexpression of key glycolytic enzymes, glucose transporters, and related signaling pathways that occur in cancer cells. Therefore, overcoming metabolic alterations in cancer cells has recently become a target for therapeutic approaches. Natural products have played a key role in drug discovery, especially for cancer and infectious diseases. In this review, we are going to focus on terpenoids, which are gradually gaining popularity among drug researchers due to their reported anti-cancer effects via cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, reduction of proliferation, and metastasis. This review summarizes the potential of 13 terpenoid compounds as anti-glycolytic inhibitors in different cancer models, primarily by inhibiting the glucose uptake and the generation of lactate, as well as by downregulating enzymes associated to glycolysis. As a conclusion, disruption of cancer cell glycolysis may be responsible for the anti-cancer activity of terpenoids.

Advances in the Understanding of the Pathogenesis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by high aggressiveness, high malignancy, and poor prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to explore recent advances in understanding TNBC and to provide new insights and potential references for clinical treatment.

METHODS

We examined current literature on TNBC to analyze molecular subtypes, genetic mutations, signaling pathways, mechanisms of drug resistance, and emerging therapies.

RESULTS

Findings highlight key aspects of TNBC's molecular subtypes, relevant mutations, and pathways, alongside emerging treatments that target drug resistance mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

These insights into TNBC pathogenesis may help guide future therapeutic strategies and improve clinical outcomes for patients with TNBC.

Mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism interference therapy for promoting photothermal sensitization

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is minimally invasive, precisely controlled, and therapeutically effective treatment method. However, its efficacy is limited by the overexpression of heat shock proteins (HSP), which leads to cellular thermal blockade. Targeting mitochondria with PTT can enhance anticancer efficacy, as mitochondria encode genes related to HSP and provide energy for their production. Nevertheless, mitochondrial dynamics confer resistance to damage from external stimuli. Therefore, disrupting the balance of mitochondrial dynamics is essential to impede HSP production. Herein, we synthesized degradable Cu3BiS3 (CBS) nanosheets (NSs) with one face modified by carboxylated triphenylphosphonium (TPP) to target mitochondria. This modification increases the production of exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induces the overexpression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), disrupting mitochondrial dynamic homeostasis. The other face was modified with carboxylated β-cyclodextrin (CD) to load the glycolysis inhibitor (2-deoxyglucose, 2DG), thereby reducing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in the extra-mitochondrial space, as glycolysis also occurs in the cytoplasm. The resulting TPP-CBS-2DG Janus NSs (JNSs) not only disrupt mitochondrial energy production, leading to cell starvation, but also inhibit HSP production. Consequently, TPP-CBS-2DG JNSs can enhance tumor thermal sensitivity in PTT, improving its efficacy. This work holds great promise for overcoming tumor heat resistance in PTT and provides a feasible method for fabricating selectively modified multifunctional NSs.

ATP Inhibition for Starvation/Mild Photothermal/Photodynamic Synergy Therapy Using Polypeptide Nanoparticles Conjugating 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose and Dye under NIR Phototheranostic Strategy

Rapid propagation of tumor cells requires plenty of energy, which is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dependent. ATP inhibition in tumors not only results in the starvation of tumor cells but also down-regulation of the level of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which usually increase during traditional photothermal therapy (PTT), especially when the temperature is up 50 °C. 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is an anti-glycolytic reagent and can be used as an efficient agent for ATP inhibition in tumors. Compared with typical PTT, low-temperature mild photothermal therapy (MPTT) is receiving more and more attention because it avoids the high temperatures causing damage to the normal tissue, and the increase of HSPs which decrease PTT. Here, multifunctional polypeptide nanoparticles pDG@Ahx conjugating both a NIR probe Ahx-BDP and 2DG into the side chain of the amphiphilic polypeptide have been prepared. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that the as-prepared nanoparticles achieve a synergistic effect of starvation/MPTT/PDT (photodynamic therapy), and it provides a new strategy to NIR-I/II fluorescence imaging-guided starvation/MPTT/PDT synergy therapy for tumors.

Cytotoxic Autophagy: A Novel Treatment Paradigm against Breast Cancer Using Oleanolic Acid and Ursolic Acid

BACKGROUND

Oleanolic acid (OA) and Ursolic acid (UA) are bioactive triterpenoids. Reported activities vary with the dose used for testing their activities in vitro. Studies using doses of ≥20 µM showed apoptosis activities in cancer cells. However, reported drug levels in circulation achieved by oral administration of UA and OA are ≤2 µM, thus limiting their use for treatment or delivering a combination treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present report demonstrates the efficacy of OA, UA, and OA + UA on tumor cell-specific cytotoxicity at low doses (5 µM to 10 µM) in breast cancer (BrCa) cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB231.

RESULTS

The data show that both OA and UA killed BrCa cells at low doses, but were significantly less toxic to MCF-12A, a non-tumorigenic cell line. Moreover, OA + UA at ≤10 µM was lethal to BrCa cells. Mechanistic studies unraveled the significant absence of apoptosis, but their cytotoxicity was due to the induction of excessive autophagy at a OA + UA dose of 5 µM each. A link to drug-induced cytotoxic autophagy was established by demonstrating a lack of their cytotoxicity by silencing the autophagy-targeting genes (ATGs), which prevented OA-, UA-, or OA + UA-induced cell death. Further, UA or OA + UA treatment of BrCa cells caused an inhibition of PI3 kinase-mediated phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR, the key pathways that regulate cancer cell survival, metabolism, and proliferation.

DISCUSSION

Combinations of a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) with OA, UA, or OA + UA synergistically inhibited BrCa cell survival. Therefore, the dominance of cytotoxic autophagy by inhibiting PI3K-mediated autophagy may be the primary mechanism of PTT-induced anticancer activity in BrCa cells.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest it would be worthwhile testing combined OA and UA in clinical settings.

Exploring the anti-cancer potential of SGLT2 inhibitors in breast cancer treatment in pre-clinical and clinical studies

The link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) has prompted the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting shared metabolic pathways. This review focuses on the emerging evidence surrounding the potential anti-cancer effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the context of BC. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that various SGLT2 inhibitors, such as canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ipragliflozin, and empagliflozin, can inhibit the proliferation of BC cells, induce apoptosis, and modulate key cellular signaling pathways. These mechanisms include the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory mediators. The combination of SGLT2 inhibitors with conventional treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as targeted therapies like phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) inhibitors, has shown promising results in enhancing the anti-cancer efficacy and potentially reducing treatment-related toxicities. The identification of specific biomarkers or genetic signatures that predict responsiveness to SGLT2 inhibitor therapy could enable more personalized treatment selection and optimization, particularly for challenging BC subtypes [e, g., triple negative BC (TNBC)]. Ongoing and future clinical trials investigating the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, both as monotherapy and in combination with other agents, will be crucial in elucidating their translational potential and guiding their integration into comprehensive BC care. Overall, SGLT2 inhibitors represent a novel and promising therapeutic approach with the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients with various subtypes of BC, including the aggressive and chemo-resistant TNBC.

PGK1 can affect the prognosis and development of bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) can promote tumor development. This study sought to investigate the specific role of PGK1 in bladder cancer (BLCA).

METHODS

Public databases and immunohistochemistry assays were utilized to analyze the expression of PGK1 in BLCA and its prognostic significance. Cell proliferation was assessed through CCK-8 and colony formation assays, while the level of metastasis was evaluated using transwell migration experiments. Additionally, IC50 experiments were conducted to assess the impact of PGK1 on cisplatin sensitivity.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein expression levels of PGK1 were significantly upregulated in BLCA. Cox proportional hazards model analysis revealed that PGK1 and T stage were independent prognostic factors for BLCA patients. Both CCK-8 and colony assays demonstrated that PGK1 promotes proliferation. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between PGK1 and Ki67, a proliferation index. Transwell migration assays confirmed the ability of PGK1 to enhance metastasis. Finally, PGK1 increased the IC50 associated with cisplatin treatment in BLCA.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings suggest that PGK1 may hold clinical value in predicting BLCA prognosis and improving the outcomes of this patient population.

Immunotherapy and the ovarian cancer microenvironment: Exploring potential strategies for enhanced treatment efficacy

Despite progress in cancer immunotherapy, ovarian cancer (OC) prognosis continues to be disappointing. Recent studies have shed light on how not just tumour cells, but also the complex tumour microenvironment, contribute to this unfavourable outcome of OC immunotherapy. The complexities of the immune microenvironment categorize OC as a 'cold tumour'. Nonetheless, understanding the precise mechanisms through which the microenvironment influences the effectiveness of OC immunotherapy remains an ongoing scientific endeavour. This review primarily aims to dissect the inherent characteristics and behaviours of diverse cells within the immune microenvironment, along with an exploration into its reprogramming and metabolic changes. It is expected that these insights will elucidate the operational dynamics of the immune microenvironment in OC and lay a theoretical groundwork for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in OC management.

Metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer: A new therapeutic strategy

Cancer metabolism is now a key area for therapeutic intervention, targeting unique metabolic reprogramming crucial for tumor growth and survival. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of addressing metabolic vulnerabilities through glycolysis and glutaminase inhibitors, which disrupt cancer cell metabolism. Challenges such as tumor heterogeneity and adaptive resistance are discussed, with strategies including personalized medicine and predictive biomarkers to enhance treatment efficacy. Additionally, integrating diet and lifestyle changes with metabolic targeting underscores a holistic approach to improving therapy outcomes. The article also examines the benefits of incorporating these strategies into standard care, highlighting the potential for more tailored, safer treatments. In conclusion, exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities promises a new era in oncology, positioning metabolic targeting at the forefront of personalized cancer therapy and transforming patient care.

Lonidamine Increases the Cytotoxic Effect of 1-[(4-Amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl]-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea via Energy Inhibition, Disrupting Redox Homeostasis, and Downregulating MGMT Expression in Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Lung cancer ranks as the second most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Novel chemotherapeutic strategies are crucial to efficiently target tumor cells while minimizing toxicity to normal cells. In this study, we proposed a combination strategy using energy blocker lonidamine (LND) and cytotoxic drug nimustine (ACNU, 1-[(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl]-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea) to enhance the killing of a human lung cancer cell line and investigated the potential chemo-sensitizing mechanism of LND. LND was found to remarkably increase the cytotoxicity of ACNU to A549 and H1299 cells without significantly affecting normal lung BEAS2B cells. The combination of LND and ACNU also produced significant effects on cell apoptosis, colony formation, cell migration, and invasion assays compared to single drug treatment. Mechanistically, LND decreased intracellular ATP levels by inhibiting glycolysis and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the combination of LND and ACNU could intensify cellular oxidative stress, decrease cellular GSH contents, and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Notably, LND alone dramatically downregulated the expression of DNA repair protein MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase), enhancing DNA interstrand cross-link formation induced by ACNU. Overall, LND represents a potential chemo-sensitizer to enhance ACNU therapy through energy inhibition, disrupting redox homeostasis and downregulating MGMT expression in human lung cancer cell line under preclinical and clinical background.

[Study on the difference and clinical value of serum amino acids in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective:To detect the differences in types and levels of amino acids in the peripheral serum of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and non-tumor patients, and explore their relationship with clinical parameters of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma as well as their clinical value in diagnosis. Methods:High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry（HPLC-MS） was employed to detect the serum amino acid contents and levels of 62 patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma and 141 non-tumor patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University between September 2018 and February 2021. The study compared the differences in 22 non-essential and essential amino acids found in the serum between the experimental group and the control group. An ROC curve and risk scoring formula of multivariate linear logic regression model was utilized to evaluate the efficiency of serum amino acids in the early diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma. Results:There were significant differences in the contents of fourteen types of amino acids between the experimental and control groups, with thirteen amino acids showing higher levels in the experimental group（P<0.05）. Seven of these amino acids were essential, including phenylalanine, threonine, leucine, valine, histidine, tyrosine, and citrulline. The other six amino acids were non-essential, including arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glycine, ornithine, and proline. Interestingly, the content of homocysteine in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group（P=0.024）. Further analysis showed that patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in TNM stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ had higher serum methionine levels compared to those in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ（P=0.026）. In addition, the content of serum histidine was higher in patients with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma compared to those with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma（P=0.041）. The level of asparagine in the serum of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma older than 64 years old was lower than that in patients younger than 64 years old（P=0.033）. The level of tryptophan in the serum of patients with a smoking history was lower than that in patients without a smoking history（P=0.033）. The level of citrulline in the serum of patients with a history of alcohol consumption was higher than that in patients with no history of alcohol consumption（P=0.003）. ROC curve analysis showed that out of the 14 different amino acids between the experimental and control groups, citrulline and cysteine were relatively effective as independent factors in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with an AUC of 0.856 and 0.850, respectively. Arginine was the most sensitive factor in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma（AUC=0.855）. However, citrulline alone had the highest specificity（0.830） in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and the combination of 12 amino acids significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with an AUC of 0.946, sensitivity of 0.887, and specificity of 0.894. A risk score formula for a multivariate logistic regression model was established based on the differential amino acid content in the serum. The risk score of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma group was higher than that of the non-tumor group（P<0.001）. The AUC of risk score in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma was 0.953 with sensitivity and specificity of 0.957 and 0.855. Conclusion:This study found that there are differences in the contents of 14 amino acids among which 13 amino acids were increased in serum of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and were associated with age, clinical stage, pathological differentiation, smoking, and drinking. Combined detection of 12 amino acids can improve the diagnostic efficiency of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and serve as potential markers for the auxiliary diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma using peripheral blood samples. Additionally, the established risk score model was found to be more effective in the diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, indicating its important potential value as an auxiliary diagnostic tool.

Inverse FASN and LDHA correlation drives metabolic resistance in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer manifests as a heterogeneous pathology marked by complex metabolic reprogramming essential to satisfy its energy demands. Oncogenic signals boost the metabolism, modifying fatty acid synthesis and glucose use from the onset to progression and therapy resistant-forms. However, the exact contribution of metabolic dependencies during tumor evolution remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we elucidate the connection between FASN and LDHA, pivotal metabolic genes, and their correlation with tumor grade and therapy response using datasets from public repositories. Subsequently, we evaluated the metabolic and proliferative functions upon FASN and LDHA inhibition in breast cancer models. Lastly, we integrated metabolomic and lipidomic analysis to define the contributions of metabolites, lipids, and precursors to the metabolic phenotypes.

RESULTS

Collectively, our findings indicate metabolic shifts during breast cancer progression, unvealling two distinct functional energy phenotypes associated with aggressiveness and therapy response. Specifically, FASN exhibits reduced expression in advance-grade tumors and therapy-resistant forms, whereas LDHA demonstrates higher expression. Additionally, the biological and metabolic impact of blocking the enzymatic activity of FASN and LDHA was correlated with resistant conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations emphasize the intrinsic metabolic heterogeneity within breast cancer, thereby highlighting the relevance of metabolic interventions in the field of precision medicine.

The function and mechanism of circRNAs in 5-fluorouracil resistance in tumors: Biological mechanisms and future potential

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a well-known chemotherapy drug extensively used in the treatment of breast cancer. It works by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and inducing cell death through direct incorporation into DNA and RNA via thymidylate synthase (TS). Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel family of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with limited protein-coding potential, contribute to 5-FU resistance. Their identification and targeting are crucial for enhancing chemosensitivity. CircRNAs can regulate tumor formation and invasion by adhering to microRNAs (miRNAs) and interacting with RNA-binding proteins, regulating transcription and translation. MiRNAs can influence enzymes responsible for 5-FU metabolism in cancer cells, affecting their sensitivity or resistance to the drug. In the context of 5-FU resistance, circRNAs can target miRNAs and regulate biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell death, glucose metabolism, hypoxia, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and drug efflux. This review focuses on the function of circRNAs in 5-FU resistance, discussing the underlying molecular pathways and biological mechanisms. It also presents recent circRNA/miRNA-targeted cancer therapeutic strategies for future clinical application.

Hallmarks of cancer resistance

This review explores the hallmarks of cancer resistance, including drug efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, metabolic reprogramming characterized by the Warburg effect, and the dynamic interplay between cancer cells and mitochondria. The role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in treatment resistance and the regulatory influence of non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are studied. The chapter emphasizes future directions, encompassing advancements in immunotherapy, strategies to counter adaptive resistance, integration of artificial intelligence for predictive modeling, and the identification of biomarkers for personalized treatment. The comprehensive exploration of these hallmarks provides a foundation for innovative therapeutic approaches, aiming to navigate the complex landscape of cancer resistance and enhance patient outcomes.

Gold Nanoparticle Delivery of Glut1 SiRNA Facilitates Glucose Starvation Therapy in Lung Cancer

Glucose transporter protein-1 (Glut1), is highly expressed in many cancer types and plays a crucial role in cancer progression through enhanced glucose transport. Its overexpression is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis. Herein, the nucleic acids modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was synthesized to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Glut1 by microRNA 21 (miR-21) triggers toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction for lung cancer starvation therapy. Overexpression of miR-21 triggers toehold-mediated strand displacement, releasing the siRNA to knockdown of Glut1 in cancer cell instead of normal cell. Furthermore, the glucose oxidase-like activity of the AuNPs accelerates intracellular glucose consumption, promoting cancer cell starvation. The engineered AuNPs@anti-miR-21/siGlut1 complex inhibits cancer cell proliferation, xenograft tumor growth and promotes apoptosis through glucose starvation and ROS cascade signaling, underscoring its potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.

A prismatic view of the epigenetic-metabolic regulatory axis in breast cancer therapy resistance

Epigenetic regulation established during development to maintain patterns of transcriptional expression and silencing for metabolism and other fundamental cell processes can be reprogrammed in cancer, providing a molecular mechanism for persistent alterations in phenotype. Metabolic deregulation and reprogramming are thus an emerging hallmark of cancer with opportunities for molecular classification as a critical preliminary step for precision therapeutic intervention. Yet, acquisition of therapy resistance against most conventional treatment regimens coupled with tumor relapse, continue to pose unsolved problems for precision healthcare, as exemplified in breast cancer where existing data informs both cancer genotype and phenotype. Furthermore, epigenetic reprograming of the metabolic milieu of cancer cells is among the most crucial determinants of therapeutic resistance and cancer relapse. Importantly, subtype-specific epigenetic-metabolic interplay profoundly affects malignant transformation, resistance to chemotherapy, and response to targeted therapies. In this review, we therefore prismatically dissect interconnected epigenetic and metabolic regulatory pathways and then integrate them into an observable cancer metabolism-therapy-resistance axis that may inform clinical intervention. Optimally coupling genome-wide analysis with an understanding of metabolic elements, epigenetic reprogramming, and their integration by metabolic profiling may decode missing molecular mechanisms at the level of individual tumors. The proposed approach of linking metabolic biochemistry back to genotype, epigenetics, and phenotype for specific tumors and their microenvironment may thus enable successful mechanistic targeting of epigenetic modifiers and oncometabolites despite tumor metabolic heterogeneity.

Co-delivery of carboplatin and doxorubicin using ZIF-8 coated chitosan-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) nanoparticles through a dual pH/thermo responsive strategy to breast cancer cells

A dual pH/temperature sensitive core-shell nanoformulation has been developed based on ZIF-8 coated with chitosan-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (CS-PNIPAAm) for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and carboplatin (CBP) in breast cancer cells. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) had particle sizes around 200 nm and a zeta potential of about +30 mV. The CBP and DOX loading contents in the final NPs were 11.6 % and 55.54 %, respectively. NPs showed a pH and thermoresponsive drug release profile with a sustained prolonged release under physiological conditions. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed a significant synergism of CBP and DOX to induce the IC50 of 1.96 μg/mL in MCF-7 cells and 4.54 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, the final NPs were safer than free DOX and CBP on normal cells. The in vitro study confirmed the higher potency of the designed NPs in combination therapy against breast cancer cells with lower side effects than free drugs.

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms behind Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer to Unlock Efficient Treatment Options

Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal form of gynecological cancer. This disease often goes undetected until advanced stages, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Unfortunately, many patients experience relapse and succumb to the disease due to the emergence of drug resistance that significantly limits the effectiveness of currently available oncological treatments. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms responsible for resistance to carboplatin, paclitaxel, polyadenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors, and bevacizumab in ovarian cancer. We present a detailed analysis of the most extensively investigated resistance mechanisms, including drug inactivation, drug target alterations, enhanced drug efflux pumps, increased DNA damage repair capacity, and reduced drug absorption/accumulation. The in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with drug resistance is crucial to unveil new biomarkers capable of predicting and monitoring the kinetics during disease progression and discovering new therapeutic targets.

Disrupting glycolysis and DNA repair in anaplastic thyroid cancer with nucleus-targeting platinum nanoclusters

Cancer cells rely on aerobic glycolysis and DNA repair signals to drive tumor growth and develop drug resistance. Yet, fine-tuning aerobic glycolysis with the assist of nanotechnology, for example, dampening lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for cancer cell metabolic reprograming remains to be investigated. Here we focus on anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) as an extremely malignant cancer with the high expression of LDH, and develop a pH-responsive and nucleus-targeting platinum nanocluster (Pt@TAT/sPEG) to simultaneously targets LDH and exacerbates DNA damage. Pt@TAT/sPEG effectively disrupts LDH activity, reducing lactate production and ATP levels, and meanwhile induces ROS production, DNA damage, and apoptosis in ATC tumor cells. We found Pt@TAT/sPEG also blocks nucleotide excision repair pathway and achieves effective tumor cell killing. In an orthotopic ATC xenograft model, Pt@TAT/sPEG demonstrates superior tumor growth suppression compared to Pt@sPEG and cisplatin. This nanostrategy offers a feasible approach to simultaneously inhibit glycolysis and DNA repair for metabolic reprogramming and enhanced tumor chemotherapy.

Targeted degradation of hexokinase 2 for anti‑inflammatory treatment in acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute inflammatory lung disease associated with both innate and adaptive immune responses. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is specifically highly expressed in numerous types of inflammation‑related diseases and models. In the present study in vitro and in vivo effects of targeted degradation of HK2 on ALI were explored. The degradation of HK2 by the targeting peptide TAT (transactivator of transcription protein of HIV‑1)‑ataxin 1 (ATXN1)‑chaperone‑mediated autophagy‑targeting motif (CTM) was demonstrated by ELISA and western blotting in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effects of TAT‑ATXN1‑CTM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammatory responses were examined using ELISAs. The therapeutic effects of TAT‑ATXN1‑CTM on LPS‑induced ALI were examined via histological examination and ELISAs in mice. 10 µM TAT‑ATXN1‑CTM administration decreased HK2 protein expression and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‑α and IL‑1β) without altering HK2 mRNA expression in LPS‑treated both in vitro and in vivo, while pathological lung tissue damage and the accumulation of leukocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes in ALI were also significantly suppressed by 10 µM TAT‑ATXN1‑CTM treatment. TAT‑ATXN1‑CTM exhibited anti‑inflammatory activity in vitro and decreased the severity of ALI in vivo. HK2 degradation may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ALI.

Clinical outcomes of cetuximab-based treatment for distant metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A real-world study using Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database

BACKGROUND

For R/M HNSCC, the differences in prognosis and treatment options between distant metastasis (DM) and locoregional recurrence, especially in the DM group, remain unclear.

METHODS

From the Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database, patients who were diagnosed with R/M HNSCC and received cetuximab-based frontline therapy were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

Among the enrolled patients, 59.3% (491/827) belonged to the DM group. The DM group had less primary site of oral cavity, less betel nut chewing, higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and higher LDH/albumin ratio compared with the non-DM group. For the patients with primary site of oral cavity and current smokers, DM coexisted with poorer outcomes. In the DM group, EXTREME-like regimen was more suitable for older patients, those with elevated LDH, and those with higher LDH/albumin ratio than TPExtreme-like regimen.

CONCLUSION

DM coexisted with poorer prognosis in certain groups. LDH-associated biomarkers may aid treatment options for DM patients.

B7-H3 at the crossroads between tumor plasticity and colorectal cancer progression: a potential target for therapeutic intervention

B7-H3 (B7 homology 3 protein) is an important transmembrane immunoregulatory protein expressed in immune cells, antigen-presenting cells, and tumor cells. Studies reveal a multifaceted role of B7-H3 in tumor progression by modulating various cancer hallmarks involving angiogenesis, immune evasion, and tumor microenvironment, and it is also a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy. In colorectal cancer (CRC), B7-H3 has been associated with various aspects of disease progression, such as evasion of tumor immune surveillance, tumor-node metastasis, and poor prognosis. Strategies to block or interfere with B7-H3 in its immunological and non-immunological functions are under investigation. In this study, we explore the role of B7-H3 in tumor plasticity, emphasizing tumor glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, apoptosis, and changing immune signatures in the tumor immune landscape. We discuss how B7-H3-induced tumor plasticity contributes to immune evasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Furthermore, we delve into the most recent advancements in targeting B7-H3-based tumor immunotherapy as a potential approach to CRC treatment.

Glycolysis Modulation by METTL7B Shapes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Proliferation and Chemotherapy Response

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a devastating hematological malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphoid cells. While advances in treatment have improved patient outcomes, challenges remain in enhancing therapeutic efficacy and understanding underlying molecular mechanisms. Methyltransferase-like 7B (METTL7B), known for its methyltransferase activity, has been implicated in various solid tumors, yet its role in ALL remains unexplored. Here, we reveal that high METTL7B expression is correlated with poorer prognosis in ALL patients. Employing genetic manipulation strategies, we demonstrate that METTL7B depletion reduces ALL cell proliferation and enhances chemosensitivity. Mechanistically, we uncover METTL7B's involvement in modulating glycolysis, a crucial metabolic pathway supporting ALL cell growth. Furthermore, METTL7B's methyltransferase activity is identified as a determinant of its impact on glycolysis and proliferation. This study sheds light on METTL7B's multifaceted role in ALL, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target and offering insights into the metabolic rewiring crucial for ALL progression.

Activities of polysaccharide fractions from corn silk: Hemostatic, immune, and anti-lung cancer potentials

Corn silk is the stigma and style of corn and is rich in polysaccharides. Despite the extensive research on its polysaccharides, the hemostatic characteristics of effective parts and the related activities remain insufficiently explored. Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) was extracted with hot water and purified using a diethylaminoethyl cellulose membrane. Then, it was separated with sephadex G-150 to obtain five fractions. These fractions were investigated for their potential in hemostasis, antioxidant, immune response, and anti-lung cancer activities. CSP-2, CSP-3, and CSP-4 significantly affected the coagulation indicators activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) at 125-500 μg/mL. Corn silk flavonoids and saponins at 32.25 μg/mL significantly prolonged APTT, TT, and prothrombin time (PT). CSP-2, with potent antioxidant ability, approaches Vitamin C. At 25 μg/mL, CSPs nearly reached the phagocytosis of neutral red of lipopolysaccharides. The five fractions promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells at 25-800 μg/mL and stimulated NO secretion at 25-100 μg/mL. CSP-2 also showed an 86 % inhibition rate effect on A549 at 200 μg/mL. These results indicate that CSP not only has hemostatic effects but also has immune and anti-lung cancer activities. Thus, it is a potential candidate compound with immune activity for managing bleeding in cancer.

Inhibition of glycolysis and SIRT1/GLUT1 signaling ameliorates the apoptotic effect of Leptosidin in prostate cancer cells

Since the silent information regulation 2 homolog-1 (sirtuin, SIRT1) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) are known to modulate cancer cell metabolism and proliferation, the role of SIRT1/GLUT1 signaling was investigated in the apoptotic effect of Leptosidin from Coreopsis grandiflora in DU145 and PC3 human prostate cancer (PCa) cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell cycle analysis, Western blotting, cBioportal correlation analysis, and co-immunoprecipitation were used in this work. Leptosidin showed cytotoxicity, augmented sub-G1 population, and abrogated the expression of pro-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (pro-PARP) and pro-cysteine aspartyl-specific protease (pro-caspase3) in DU145 and PC3 cells. Also, Leptosidin inhibited the expression of SIRT1, GLUT1, pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (PKM2), Hexokinase 2 (HK2), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in DU145 and PC3 cells along with disrupted binding of SIRT1 and GLUT1. Consistently, Leptosidin curtailed lactate, glucose, and ATP in DU145 and PC3 cells. Furthermore, SIRT1 depletion enhanced the decrease of GLUT1, LDHA, and pro-Cas3 by Leptosidin in treated DU145 cells, while pyruvate suppressed the ability of Leptosidin in DU145 cells. These findings suggest that Leptosidin induces apoptosis via inhibition of glycolysis and SIRT1/GLUT1 signaling axis in PCa cells.

Unveiling the mechanisms and challenges of cancer drug resistance

Cancer treatment faces many hurdles and resistance is one among them. Anti-cancer treatment strategies are evolving due to innate and acquired resistance capacity, governed by genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, metabolic, or microenvironmental cues that ultimately enable selected cancer cells to survive and progress under unfavorable conditions. Although the mechanism of drug resistance is being widely studied to generate new target-based drugs with better potency than existing ones. However, due to the broader flexibility in acquired drug resistance, advanced therapeutic options with better efficacy need to be explored. Combination therapy is an alternative with a better success rate though the risk of amplified side effects is commonplace. Moreover, recent groundbreaking precision immune therapy is one of the ways to overcome drug resistance and has revolutionized anticancer therapy to a greater extent with the only limitation of being individual-specific and needs further attention. This review will focus on the challenges and strategies opted by cancer cells to withstand the current therapies at the molecular level and also highlights the emerging therapeutic options -like immunological, and stem cell-based options that may prove to have better potential to challenge the existing problem of therapy resistance. Video Abstract.

Mitochondrion: Main organelle in orchestrating cancer escape from chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Chemoresistance is a challenging barrier to cancer therapy, and in this context, the role of mitochondria is significant. We put emphasis on key biological characteristics of mitochondria, contributing to tumor escape from various therapies, to find the "Achilles' Heel" of cancer cells for future drug design.

RECENT FINDINGS

The mitochondrion is a dynamic organelle, and its existence is important for tumor growth. Its metabolites also cooperate with cell signaling in tumor proliferation and drug resistance.

CONCLUSION

Biological characteristics of this organelle, such as redox balance, DNA depletion, and metabolic reprogramming, provide flexibility to cancer cells to cope with therapy-induced stress.

Natural Product-Based Glycolysis Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Strategy for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Targeted therapy against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising treatment approach for NSCLC. However, resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a major challenge in its clinical management. EGFR mutation elevates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha to upregulate the production of glycolytic enzymes, increasing glycolysis and tumor resistance. The inhibition of glycolysis can be a potential strategy for overcoming EGFR-TKI resistance and enhancing the effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs. In this review, we specifically explored the effectiveness of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitors and lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors in combating EGFR-TKI resistance. The aim was to summarize the effects of these natural products in preclinical NSCLC models to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic effects. The study findings suggest that natural products can be promising inhibitors of glycolytic enzymes for the treatment of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC. Further investigations through preclinical and clinical studies are required to validate the efficacy of natural product-based glycolytic inhibitors as innovative therapeutic modalities for NSCLC.

Significance of flavonoids targeting PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling pathway in therapy-resistant cancer cells - A potential contribution to the predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine

BACKGROUND

Cancer management faces multiple obstacles, including resistance to current therapeutic approaches. In the face of challenging microenvironments, cancer cells adapt metabolically to maintain their supply of energy and precursor molecules for biosynthesis and thus sustain rapid proliferation and tumor growth. Among the various metabolic adaptations observed in cancer cells, the altered glucose metabolism is the most widely studied. The aberrant glycolytic modification in cancer cells has been associated with rapid cell division, tumor growth, cancer progression, and drug resistance. The higher rates of glycolysis in cancer cells, as a hallmark of cancer progression, is modulated by the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), a downstream target of the PI3K/Akt signaling, the most deregulated pathway in cancer.

AIM OF REVIEW

We provide a detailed overview of current, primarily experimental, evidence on the potential effectiveness of flavonoids to combat aberrant glycolysis-induced resistance of cancer cells to conventional and targeted therapies. The manuscript focuses primarily on flavonoids reducing cancer resistance via affecting PI3K/Akt, HIF-1α (as the transcription factor critical for glucose metabolism of cancer cells that is regulated by PI3K/Akt pathway), and key glycolytic mediators downstream of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α signaling (glucose transporters and key glycolytic enzymes).

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

The working hypothesis of the manuscript proposes HIF-1α - the transcription factor critical for glucose metabolism of cancer cells regulated by PI3K/Akt pathway as an attractive target for application of flavonoids to mitigate cancer resistance. Phytochemicals represent a source of promising substances for cancer management applicable to primary, secondary, and tertiary care. However, accurate patient stratification and individualized patient profiling represent crucial steps in the paradigm shift from reactive to predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM / 3PM). The article is focused on targeting molecular patterns by natural substances and provides evidence-based recommendations for the 3PM relevant implementation.

Mint3-depletion-induced energy stress sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to chemotherapy via HSF1 inactivation

Given the lack of therapeutic targets, the conventional approach for managing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) involves the utilization of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. However, most TNBCs acquire resistance to chemotherapy, thereby lowering the therapeutic outcome. In addition to oncogenic mutations in TNBC, microenvironment-induced mechanisms render chemoresistance more complex and robust in vivo. Here, we aimed to analyze whether depletion of Munc18-1 interacting protein 3 (Mint3), which activates hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) during normoxia, sensitizes TNBC to chemotherapy. We found that Mint3 promotes the chemoresistance of TNBC in vivo. Mint3 depletion did not affect the sensitivity of human TNBC cell lines to doxorubicin and paclitaxel in vitro but sensitized tumors of these cells to chemotherapy in vivo. Transcriptome analyses revealed that the Mint3-HIF-1 axis enhanced heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in tumors of TNBC cells. Administering an HSP70 inhibitor enhanced the antitumor activity of doxorubicin in TNBC tumors, similar to Mint3 depletion. Mint3 expression was also correlated with HSP70 expression in human TNBC specimens. Mechanistically, Mint3 depletion induces glycolytic maladaptation to the tumor microenvironment in TNBC tumors, resulting in energy stress. This energy stress by Mint3 depletion inactivated heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1), the master regulator of HSP expression, via the AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of the rapamycin pathway following attenuated HSP70 expression. In conclusion, Mint3 is a unique regulator of TNBC chemoresistance in vivo via metabolic adaptation to the tumor microenvironment, and a combination of Mint3 inhibition and chemotherapy may be a good strategy for TNBC treatment.

Bibliometric analysis and visualization of endocrine therapy for breast cancer research in the last two decade

Background

Breast cancer endocrine therapy research has become a crucial domain in oncology since hormone receptor-positive breast cancers have been increasingly recognized, and targeted therapeutic interventions have been advancing over the past few years. This bibliometric analysis attempts to shed light on the trends, dynamics, and knowledge hotspots that have shaped the landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research between 2003 and 2022.

Methods

In this study, we comprehensively reviewed the scientific literature spanning the above-mentioned period, which included publications accessible through the database of the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Next, a systematic and data-driven analysis supported by sophisticated software tools was conducted, such that the core themes, prolific authors, influential journals, prominent countries, and critical citation patterns in the relevant research field can be clarified.

Results

A continuous and substantial expansion of breast cancer endocrine therapy research was revealed over the evaluated period. A total of 1,317 scholarly articles were examined. The results of the analysis suggested that research on endocrine therapy for breast cancer has laid a solid basis for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. From a geographical perspective, the US, the UK, and China emerged as the most active contributors, illustrating the global impact of this study. Furthermore, our analysis delineated prominent research topics that have dominated the discourse in the past two decades, including drug therapy, therapeutic efficacy, molecular biomarkers, and hormonal receptor interactions.

Conclusion

This comprehensive bibliometric analysis provides a panoramic view of the ever-evolving landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research. The findings highlight the trajectory of past developments while signifying an avenue of vast opportunities for future investigations and therapeutic advancements. As the field continues to burgeon, this analysis will provide valuable guidance for to researchers toward pertinent knowledge hotspots and emerging trends, which can expedite the discoveries in the realm of breast cancer endocrine therapy.

Multiple suppressing small interfering RNA for cancer treatment-Application to triple-negative breast cancer

Certain cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), pose a challenging prognosis due to the absence of identifiable hormone-related receptors and effective targeted therapies. Consequently, novel therapeutics are required for these cancers, offering minimal side effects and reduced drug resistance. Unexpectedly, siRNA-7, initially employed as a control, exhibited significant efficacy in inhibiting cell viability in MDA-MB-231 cells. Through a genome-wide search of seed sequences, the targets of siRNA-7 were identified as cancer-related genes, namely PRKCE, RBPJ, ZNF737, and CDC7 in MDA-MB-231 cells. The mRNA repression analysis confirmed the simultaneous suppression by siRNA-7. Combinatorial administration of single-targeting siRNAs demonstrated a comparable reduction in viability to that achieved by siRNA-7. Importantly, siRNA-7 selectively inhibited cell viability in MDA-MB-231 cells, while normal HDF-n cells remained unaffected. Furthermore, in a xenograft mouse model, siRNA-7 exhibited a remarkable 76% reduction in tumor volume without any loss in body weight. These findings position siRNA-7 as a promising candidate for a novel, safe, specific, and potent TNBC cancer therapeutic. Moreover, the strategy of multiple suppressing small interfering RNA holds potential for the treatment of various diseases associated with gene overexpression.

Optimal control strategies for SGLT2 inhibitors as a novel anti-tumor agent and their effect on human breast cancer cells with the effect of time delay and hyperglycemia

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in the world, and it continues to have a significant impact on the total number of cancer deaths. Recently, oncology findings hint at the role of excessive glucose in cancer progression and immune cells' suppression. Sequel to this revelation is ongoing researches on possible inhibition of glucose flow into the tumor micro-environment as therapeutics for malignant treatment. In this study, the effect of glucose blockage therapeutics such as SGLT-2 inhibitors drug on the dynamics of normal, tumors and immune cells interaction is mathematically studied. The asymptomatic nature of the breast cancer is factored into the model using time delay. We first investigate the boundedness and non-negativity of the solution. The condition for existence of critical equilibrium point is determined, and its global stability conditions are derived using Lyapunov function. This revealed that a timely administration of the SGLT-2 inhibitors drug can eliminate tumor cells. Secondly, we determine the sufficient and necessary conditions for optimal control strategy of SGLT-2 inhibitors so as to avert side effects on normal cells using a Pontryagin's Minimum Principle. The results showed that if the ingestion rate of the inhibitor drug is equal to the digestion rate, the tumor cells can be completely eliminated within 9 months without side effects. The analytical results were numerically verified and the qualitative views of interacting cells dynamics is showcased.

Natural compounds as lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors: potential therapeutics for lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors-related diseases

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a crucial enzyme involved in energy metabolism and present in various cells throughout the body. Its diverse physiological functions encompass glycolysis, and its abnormal activity is associated with numerous diseases. Targeting LDH has emerged as a vital approach in drug discovery, leading to the identification of LDH inhibitors among natural compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. These compounds demonstrate therapeutic potential against LDH-related diseases, including anti-cancer effects. However, challenges concerning limited bioavailability, poor solubility, and potential toxicity must be addressed. Combining natural compounds with LDH inhibitors has led to promising outcomes in preclinical studies. This review highlights the promise of natural compounds as LDH inhibitors for treating cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Production of high- and low-molecular weight fucoidan fragments with defined sulfation patterns and heightened in vitro anticancer activity against TNBC cells using novel endo-fucanases of the GH107 family

Fucoidans are complex fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides with pronounced anticancer effects. Their structure-anticancer activity relationships are difficult to determine due to fucoidans' complex, often irregularities-including structures. Fucoidan-active enzymes can be used for this propose. We have investigated two new recombinant endo-fucanases FWf3 and FWf4 from the marine bacterium Wenyingzhuangia fucanilytica CZ1127^T that belong to the 107 family of glycoside hydrolases (GH). Both enzymes cleaved α-(1→4)-glycosidic bonds but in fucoidan fragments with different sulfation patterns. FWf3 is the first characterized endo-fucanase that cleaves glycosidic bonds between 2O- and 2,4diO-sulfated L-fucose residues. The obtained endo-fucanases were used to produce low- and high-molecular weight fucoidan derivatives with different sulfate group locations. Low- and high-molecular weight fucoidan derivatives rich with 2,4diO-sulfation were shown to inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell colony formation more efficiently than the native fucoidan and the derivatives sulfated otherwise. Such derivatives effectively suppressed the mitochondrial membrane potential of MDA-MB-231 cells and reduced the expression of the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Co-treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with the fucoidan derivatives and oligomycin (an OXPHOS inhibitor) resulted in a synergistic anticancer effect. The data obtained demonstrate, that fucoidan and its 2,4diO-sulfated derivatives can be an effective adjunct in TNBC therapy targeting cell metabolism.

Doxorubicin and other anthracyclines in cancers: Activity, chemoresistance and its overcoming

Anthracyclines have been important and effective treatments against a number of cancers since their discovery. However, their use in therapy has been complicated by severe side effects and toxicity that occur during or after treatment, including cardiotoxicity. The mode of action of anthracyclines is complex, with several mechanisms proposed. It is possible that their high toxicity is due to the large set of processes involved in anthracycline action. The development of resistance is a major barrier to successful treatment when using anthracyclines. This resistance is based on a series of mechanisms that have been studied and addressed in recent years. This work provides an overview of the anthracyclines used in cancer therapy. It discusses their mechanisms of activity, toxicity, and chemoresistance, as well as the approaches used to improve their activity, decrease their toxicity, and overcome resistance.

Control analysis in the identification of key enzymes driving metabolic adaptations: Towards drug target discovery

Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA) marked a turning point in understanding the design principles of metabolic network control by establishing control coefficients as a means to quantify the degree of control that an enzyme exerts on flux or metabolite concentrations. MCA has demonstrated that control of metabolic pathways is distributed among many enzymes rather than depending on a single rate-limiting step. MCA also proved that this distribution depends not only on the stoichiometric structure of the network but also on other kinetic determinants, such as the degree of saturation of the enzyme active site, the distance to thermodynamic equilibrium, and metabolite feedback regulatory loops. Consequently, predicting the alterations that occur during metabolic adaptation in response to strong changes involving a redistribution in such control distribution can be challenging. Here, using the framework provided by MCA, we illustrate how control distribution in a metabolic pathway/network depends on enzyme kinetic determinants and to what extent the redistribution of control affects our predictions on candidate enzymes suitable as targets for small molecule inhibition in the drug discovery process. Our results uncover that kinetic determinants can lead to unexpected control distribution and outcomes that cannot be predicted solely from stoichiometric determinants. We also unveil that the inference of key enzyme-drivers of an observed metabolic adaptation can be dramatically improved using mean control coefficients and ruling out those enzyme activities that are associated with low control coefficients. As the use of constraint-based stoichiometric genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) becomes increasingly prevalent for identifying genes/enzymes that could be potential drug targets, we anticipate that incorporating kinetic determinants and ruling out enzymes with low control coefficients into GSMM workflows will facilitate more accurate predictions and reveal novel therapeutic targets.

Bioenergetic alteration in gastrointestinal cancers: The good, the bad and the ugly

Cancer cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming and bioenergetic alteration, utilizing glucose fermentation for energy production, known as the Warburg effect. However, there are a lack of comprehensive reviews summarizing the metabolic reprogramming, bioenergetic alteration, and their oncogenetic links in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Furthermore, the efficacy and treatment potential of emerging anticancer drugs targeting these alterations in GI cancers require further evaluation. This review highlights the interplay between aerobic glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in cancer cells, as well as hypotheses on the molecular mechanisms that trigger this alteration. The role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, tumor suppressors, and the oncogenetic link between hypoxia-related enzymes, bioenergetic changes, and GI cancer are also discussed. This review emphasizes the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for anti-cancer therapy, particularly for GI cancers. Emphasizing the potential of targeting bioenergetic regulators for GI cancer therapy, the review categorizes these regulators into aerobic glycolysis/ lactate biosynthesis/transportation and TCA cycle/coupled OXPHOS. We also detail various anti-cancer drugs and strategies that have produced pre-clinical and/or clinical evidence in treating GI cancers, as well as the challenges posed by these drugs. Here we highlight that understanding dysregulated cancer cell bioenergetics is critical for effective treatments, although the diverse metabolic patterns present challenges for targeted therapies. Further research is needed to comprehend the specific mechanisms of inhibiting bioenergetic enzymes, address side effects, and leverage high-throughput multi-omics and spatial omics to gain insights into cancer cell heterogeneity for targeted bioenergetic therapies.