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Marin JJG, Macias RIR, Asensio M, Romero MR, Temprano AG, Pereira OR, Jimenez S, Mauriz JL, Di Giacomo S, Avila MA, Efferth T, Briz O. Strategies to enhance the response of liver cancer to pharmacological treatments. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C11-C33. [PMID: 38708523 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00176.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to other types of cancers, there is no available efficient pharmacological treatment to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from major primary liver cancers, i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. This dismal situation is partly due to the existence in these tumors of many different and synergistic mechanisms of resistance, accounting for the lack of response of these patients, not only to classical chemotherapy but also to more modern pharmacological agents based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKIs) and the stimulation of the immune response against the tumor using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review summarizes the efforts to develop strategies to overcome this severe limitation, including searching for novel drugs derived from synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural products with vectorial properties against therapeutic targets to increase drug uptake or reduce drug export from cancer cells. Besides, immunotherapy is a promising line of research that is already starting to be implemented in clinical practice. Although less successful than in other cancers, the foreseen future for this strategy in treating liver cancers is considerable. Similarly, the pharmacological inhibition of epigenetic targets is highly promising. Many novel "epidrugs," able to act on "writer," "reader," and "eraser" epigenetic players, are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, gene therapy is a broad field of research in the fight against liver cancer chemoresistance, based on the impressive advances recently achieved in gene manipulation. In sum, although the present is still dismal, there is reason for hope in the non-too-distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio I R Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro G Temprano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Olívia R Pereira
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Silvia Jimenez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose L Mauriz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, Leon, Spain
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Matias A Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Di Giacomo S, Percaccio E, Vitalone A, Ingallina C, Mannina L, Macone A, Di Sotto A. Characterization of the Chemopreventive Properties of Cannabis sativa L. Inflorescences from Monoecious Cultivars Grown in Central Italy. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3814. [PMID: 38005711 PMCID: PMC10675481 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Hemp bioproducts hold great promise as valuable materials for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. In line with this interest and in an attempt to valorize the Lazio Region crops, this present study investigated chemically characterized hydroalcoholic and organic extracts, obtained from the inflorescences of locally cultivated Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties. In order to highlight the possible chemopreventive power of the tested samples, a bioactivity screening was performed, which included studying the antimutagenic activity, radical scavenging power, cytotoxicity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and modulation of the oxidative stress parameters and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) involved in the regulation of the cell transformation and cancer proliferation. Tolerability studies in noncancerous H69 cholangiocytes were performed, too. The organic extracts showed moderate to strong antimutagenic activities and a marked cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cells, associated with an increased oxidative stress and LDH release, and to a G6PDH modulation. The hydroalcoholic extracts mainly exhibited radical scavenging properties with weak or null activities in the other assays. The extracts were usually well-tolerated in H69 cells, except for the highest concentrations which impaired cell viability, likely due to an increased oxidative stress. The obtained results suggest a possibility in the inflorescences from the Felina 32, USO 31, Ferimon and Fedora 17 hemp varieties as source of bioactive compounds endowed with genoprotective and chemopreventive properties that could be harnessed as preventive or adjuvant healing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (A.V.)
- Unit of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Percaccio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Annabella Vitalone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Cinzia Ingallina
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Luisa Mannina
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.I.); (L.M.)
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (A.V.)
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Percaccio E, De Angelis M, Acquaviva A, Nicotra G, Ferrante C, Mazzanti G, Di Giacomo S, Nencioni L, Di Sotto A. ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties. Nutrients 2023; 15:4380. [PMID: 37892456 PMCID: PMC10609862 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral infections continue to pose significant challenges, particularly for more susceptible and immunocompromised individuals. Nutraceutical strategies have been proposed as promising strategies to mitigate their impact and improve public health. In the present study, we developed a mixture of two hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (ECP) and the cones of Humulus lupulus L. (HOP) that can be harnessed in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases. The ECP/HOP mixture (named ECHOPvir) was characterized for the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in airway cells. Moreover, the immunomodulating properties of the mixture in murine macrophages against antioxidant and inflammatory stimuli and its antiviral efficacy against the PR8/H1N1 influenza virus were assayed. The modulation of the Nrf2 was also investigated as a mechanistic hypothesis. The ECP/HOP mixture showed a promising multitarget bioactivity profile, with combined cytoprotective, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antiviral activities, likely due to the peculiar phytocomplexes of both ECP and HOP, and often potentiated the effect of the single extracts. The Nrf2 activation seemed to trigger these cytoprotective properties and suggest a possible usefulness in counteracting the damage caused by different stressors, including viral infection. Further studies may strengthen the interest in this product and underpin its future nutraceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Percaccio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.D.A.); (L.N.)
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Acquaviva
- Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.A.); (C.F.)
| | | | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.A.); (C.F.)
| | - Gabriela Mazzanti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
- Unit of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.D.A.); (L.N.)
| | - Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
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Taiti C, Stefano G, Percaccio E, Di Giacomo S, Iannone M, Marianelli A, Di Sotto A, Garzoli S. Addition of Spirulina to Craft Beer: Evaluation of the Effects on Volatile Flavor Profile and Cytoprotective Properties. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051021. [PMID: 37237887 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SPME-GC-MS and PTR-ToF-MS techniques were applied to describe the content of volatile flavor compounds in a craft beer before and after adding spirulina. The obtained results showed that the volatile profile of the two beer samples differed. Furthermore, to chemically characterize biomass spirulina, a derivatization reaction followed by GC-MS analysis was performed, highlighting a high content of molecules belonging to different chemical classes, such as sugars, fatty acids and carboxylic acids. A spectrophotometric analysis of total polyphenols and tannins, investigation into the scavenging activity towards DPPH and ABTS radicals and confocal microscopy of brewer's yeast cells were carried out. Moreover, the cytoprotective and antioxidant properties towards the oxidative damage induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) in human H69 cholangiocytes were investigated. Finally, the modulation of Nrf2 signaling under oxidative stress conditions was also evaluated. Both samples of beer were shown to contain similar levels of total polyphenols and tannins, with slightly increased levels in that containing spirulina 0.25% w/v. Moreover, the beers were found to be endowed with radical scavenging properties towards both DPPH and ABTS radicals, albeit with a weak contribution of spirulina; however, a higher riboflavin content was detected in spirulina-treated yeast cells. Conversely, the addition of spirulina (0.25% w/v) appeared to improve the cytoprotective properties of beer towards tBOOH-induced oxidative damage in H69 cells and reduce intracellular oxidative stress. Accordingly, the cytosolic Nrf2 expression was found to be increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Taiti
- Department of Agri-Food and Environmental Science, Università di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stefano
- Department of Biology, Università di Firenze, Via Micheli 3, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Ester Percaccio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannone
- Circolo ARCI La Staffetta, Via Don Minzoni 29, 56011 Calci, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Garzoli
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Overcoming Acquired Drug Resistance to Cancer Therapies through Targeted STAT3 Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054722. [PMID: 36902166 PMCID: PMC10002572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-neoplastic agents for cancer treatment utilize many different mechanisms of action and, when combined, can result in potent inhibition of cancer growth. Combination therapies can result in long-term, durable remission or even cure; however, too many times, these anti-neoplastic agents lose their efficacy due to the development of acquired drug resistance (ADR). In this review, we evaluate the scientific and medical literature that elucidate STAT3-mediated mechanisms of resistance to cancer therapeutics. Herein, we have found that at least 24 different anti-neoplastic agents-standard toxic chemotherapeutic agents, targeted kinase inhibitors, anti-hormonal agents, and monoclonal antibodies-that utilize the STAT3 signaling pathway as one mechanism of developing therapeutic resistance. Targeting STAT3, in combination with existing anti-neoplastic agents, may prove to be a successful therapeutic strategy to either prevent or even overcome ADR to standard and novel cancer therapies.
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Di Sotto A, Gullì M, Minacori M, Mancinelli R, Garzoli S, Percaccio E, Incocciati A, Romaniello D, Mazzanti G, Eufemi M, Di Giacomo S. β-Caryophyllene Counteracts Chemoresistance Induced by Cigarette Smoke in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-468 Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092257. [PMID: 36140359 PMCID: PMC9496176 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) has been associated with an increased risk of fatal breast cancers and recurrence, along with chemoresistance and chemotherapy impairment. This strengthens the interest in chemopreventive agents to be exploited both in healthy and oncological subjects to prevent or repair CS damage. In the present study, we evaluated the chemopreventive properties of the natural sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene towards the damage induced by cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells. Particularly, we assessed the ability of the sesquiterpene to interfere with the mechanisms exploited by CSC to promote cell survival and chemoresistance, including genomic instability, cell cycle progress, autophagy/apoptosis, cell migration and related pathways. β-Caryophyllene was found to be able to increase the CSC-induced death of MDA-MB-468 cells, likely triggering oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; moreover, it hindered cell recovery, autophagy activation and cell migration; at last, a marked inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation was highlighted: this could represent a key mechanism of the chemoprevention by β-caryophyllene. Although further studies are required to confirm the in vivo efficacy of β-caryophyllene, the present results suggest a novel strategy to reduce the harmful effect of smoke in cancer patients and to improve the survival expectations in breast cancer women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Marco Gullì
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Minacori
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Mancinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Garzoli
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Percaccio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Incocciati
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Romaniello
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriela Mazzanti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Margherita Eufemi
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Ahsan H, Islam SU, Ahmed MB, Lee YS. Role of Nrf2, STAT3, and Src as Molecular Targets for Cancer Chemoprevention. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1775. [PMID: 36145523 PMCID: PMC9505731 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and multistage disease that affects various intracellular pathways, leading to rapid cell proliferation, angiogenesis, cell motility, and migration, supported by antiapoptotic mechanisms. Chemoprevention is a new strategy to counteract cancer; to either prevent its incidence or suppress its progression. In this strategy, chemopreventive agents target molecules involved in multiple pathways of cancer initiation and progression. Nrf2, STAT3, and Src are promising molecular candidates that could be targeted for chemoprevention. Nrf2 is involved in the expression of antioxidant and phase II metabolizing enzymes, which have direct antiproliferative action as well as indirect activities of reducing oxidative stress and eliminating carcinogens. Similarly, its cross-talk with NF-κB has great anti-inflammatory potential, which can be utilized in inflammation-induced/associated cancers. STAT3, on the other hand, is involved in multiple pathways of cancer initiation and progression. Activation, phosphorylation, dimerization, and nuclear translocation are associated with tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Src, being the first oncogene to be discovered, is important due to its convergence with many upstream stimuli, its cross-talk with other potential molecular targets, such as STAT3, and its ability to modify the cell cytoskeleton, making it important in cancer invasion and metastasis. Therefore, the development of natural/synthetic molecules and/or design of a regimen that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and stop multiple cellular targets in cancer to stop its initiation or retard its progression can form newer chemopreventive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haseeb Ahsan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
| | - Salman Ul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, CECOS University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Bilal Ahmed
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Young Sup Lee
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
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Pinus mugo Essential Oil Impairs STAT3 Activation through Oxidative Stress and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154834. [PMID: 35956786 PMCID: PMC9369512 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) and their components have been reported to possess anticancer properties and to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. The aim of this work was to select EOs able to downregulate STAT3 signaling using Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. The molecular mechanism of anti-STAT3 activity was evaluated through spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses, and the biological effect of STAT3 inhibition was analyzed by flow cytometry and wound healing assay. Herein, Pinus mugo EO (PMEO) is identified as an inhibitor of constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in human prostate cancer cells, DU145. The down-modulation of the STAT3 signaling cascade decreased the expression of anti-proliferative as well as anti-apoptotic genes and proteins, leading to the inhibition of cell migration and apoptotic cell death. PMEO treatment induced a rapid drop in glutathione (GSH) levels and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, resulting in mild oxidative stress. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a cell-permeable ROS scavenger, reverted the inhibitory action of PMEO on STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, combination therapy revealed that PMEO treatment displayed synergism with cisplatin in inducing the cytotoxic effect. Overall, our data highlight the importance of STAT3 signaling in PMEO cytotoxic activity, as well as the possibility of developing adjuvant therapy or sensitizing cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy.
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Sorafenib Chemosensitization by Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenes in Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Cancer Cells: The Role of STAT3/ABC Transporter Axis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061264. [PMID: 35745837 PMCID: PMC9231089 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A combination of anticancer drugs and chemosensitizing agents has been approached as a promising strategy to potentiate chemotherapy and reduce toxicity in aggressive and chemoresistant cancers, like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In the present study, the ability of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes to potentiate sorafenib efficacy was studied in HCC, CCA, and PDAC cell models, focusing on the modulation of STAT3 signaling and ABC transporters; tolerability studies in normal cells were also performed. Results showed that the combination of sorafenib and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes synergized the anticancer drug, especially in pancreatic Bx-PC3 adenocarcinoma cells; a similar trend, although with lower efficacy, was found for the standard ABC transporter inhibitors. Synergistic effects were associated with a modulation of MDR1 (or Pgp) and MRP transporters, both at gene and protein level; moreover, activation of STAT3 cascade and cell migration appeared significantly affected, suggesting that the STAT3/ABC-transporters axis finely regulated efficacy and chemoresistance to sorafenib, thus appearing as a suitable target to overcome drawbacks of sorafenib-based chemotherapy in hepato-biliary-pancreatic cancers. Present findings strengthen the interest in caryophyllane sesquiterpenes as chemosensitizing and chemopreventive agents and contribute to clarifying drug resistance mechanisms in HCC, CCA, and PDAC cancers and to developing possible novel therapeutic strategies.
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Di Giacomo S, Mariano A, Gullì M, Fraschetti C, Vitalone A, Filippi A, Mannina L, Scotto d’Abusco A, Di Sotto A. Role of Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenes in the Entourage Effect of Felina 32 Hemp Inflorescence Phytocomplex in Triple Negative MDA-MB-468 Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216688. [PMID: 34771097 PMCID: PMC8587411 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. crops have been traditionally exploited as sources of fibers, nutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals of medical interest. In the present study, two terpene-rich organic extracts, namely FOJ and FOS, obtained from Felina 32 hemp inflorescences collected in June and September, respectively, have been studied for their in vitro anticancer properties. Particularly, their cytotoxicity was evaluated in different cancer cell lines, and the possible entourage effect between nonintoxicating phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol and cannabichromene) and caryophyllane sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide and α-humulene), as identified at GC/MS analysis, was characterized. Modulation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors was studied as a mechanistic hypothesis. Results highlighted marked cytotoxic effects of FOJ, FOS, and pure compounds in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells, likely mediated by a CB2 receptor activation. Cannabidiol was the main cytotoxic constituent, although low levels of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes and cannabichromene induced potentiating effects; the presence in the extracts of unknown antagonistic compounds has been highlighted too. These results suggest an interest in Felina 32 hemp inflorescences as a source of bioactive phytocomplexes with anticancer properties and strengthen the importance of considering the possible involvement of minor terpenes, such as caryophyllane sesquiterpenes, in the entourage effect of hemp-based extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: (S.D.G.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Alessia Mariano
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (A.S.d.)
| | - Marco Gullì
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Caterina Fraschetti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (A.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Annabella Vitalone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.)
| | - Antonello Filippi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (A.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Luisa Mannina
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (A.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Anna Scotto d’Abusco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (A.S.d.)
| | - Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: (S.D.G.); (A.D.S.)
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Maier CF, Zhu L, Nanduri LK, Kühn D, Kochall S, Thepkaysone ML, William D, Grützmann K, Klink B, Betge J, Weitz J, Rahbari NN, Reißfelder C, Schölch S. Patient-Derived Organoids of Cholangiocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168675. [PMID: 34445380 PMCID: PMC8395494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is an aggressive malignancy with an inferior prognosis due to limited systemic treatment options. As preclinical models such as CC cell lines are extremely rare, this manuscript reports a protocol of cholangiocarcinoma patient-derived organoid culture as well as a protocol for the transition of 3D organoid lines to 2D cell lines. Tissue samples of non-cancer bile duct and cholangiocarcinoma were obtained during surgical resection. Organoid lines were generated following a standardized protocol. 2D cell lines were generated from established organoid lines following a novel protocol. Subcutaneous and orthotopic patient-derived xenografts were generated from CC organoid lines, histologically examined, and treated using standard CC protocols. Therapeutic responses of organoids and 2D cell lines were examined using standard CC agents. Next-generation exome and RNA sequencing was performed on primary tumors and CC organoid lines. Patient-derived organoids closely recapitulated the original features of the primary tumors on multiple levels. Treatment experiments demonstrated that patient-derived organoids of cholangiocarcinoma and organoid-derived xenografts can be used for the evaluation of novel treatments and may therefore be used in personalized oncology approaches. In summary, this study establishes cholangiocarcinoma organoids and organoid-derived cell lines, thus expanding translational research resources of cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Fabian Maier
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.F.M.); (L.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (N.N.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Lei Zhu
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.F.M.); (L.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (N.N.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Lahiri Kanth Nanduri
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.K.N.); (D.K.); (S.K.); (M.-L.T.); (J.W.)
| | - Daniel Kühn
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.K.N.); (D.K.); (S.K.); (M.-L.T.); (J.W.)
| | - Susan Kochall
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.K.N.); (D.K.); (S.K.); (M.-L.T.); (J.W.)
| | - May-Linn Thepkaysone
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.K.N.); (D.K.); (S.K.); (M.-L.T.); (J.W.)
| | - Doreen William
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.W.); (K.G.); (B.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konrad Grützmann
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.W.); (K.G.); (B.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Klink
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (D.W.); (K.G.); (B.K.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center of Genetics, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Johannes Betge
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology and Preclinical Models (B440), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jürgen Weitz
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.K.N.); (D.K.); (S.K.); (M.-L.T.); (J.W.)
| | - Nuh N. Rahbari
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (N.N.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Christoph Reißfelder
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (N.N.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Sebastian Schölch
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (C.F.M.); (L.Z.)
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (N.N.R.); (C.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Gao K, Chen S, Yang X. HOTTIP Enhances Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Resistance Through Sponging miR-637 in Cholangiocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:664916. [PMID: 34290981 PMCID: PMC8287300 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.664916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemo-resistance prominently hampers the effects of systemic chemotherapy to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to have great importance not only in tumorigenesis but also in therapeutic prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of lncRNA HOTTIP in the chemo-resistance to cisplatin and gemcitabine (CG) in CCA. The upregulated expression of HOTTIP was observed in CCA patients and the upregulation was associated with therapeutic responsiveness and prognosis. HOTTIP silencing powerfully increased the chemotherapy sensitivity through weakening proliferation and colony formation and increasing apoptosis. Subsequently, miR-637 was identified as the functional target of HOTTIP, since mechanically it could be targeted by HOTTIP and functionally its overexpression dismissed the changes by HOTTIP silencing in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (LASP1) could be targeted and regulated by miR-637. In all, HOTTIP modulates the sensitivity to CG in CCA through the HOTTIP/miR-637/LASP1 regulatory axis, providing a new opportunities for CCA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Gao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuhua Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yunfu People's Hospital, Yunfu, China
| | - Xiangyu Yang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Correlation between the Antimicrobial Activity and Metabolic Profiles of Cell Free Supernatants and Membrane Vesicles Produced by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111653. [PMID: 33114410 PMCID: PMC7692313 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the work is to assess the antimicrobial activities of Cell Free Supernatants (CFS) and Membrane Vesicles (MVs), produced by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, versus Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and investigate their metabolic profiles. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was determined through the broth microdilution method and cell proliferation assay while the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration was determined by Colony Forming Units counts. The characteristics of the antimicrobial compounds were evaluated by pH adjustments, proteinase treatment, and size fractionation of the CFS. The cytotoxicity of CFS was tested on two human cell lines. A detailed snapshot of the L. reuteri metabolism was attained through an untargeted metabolic profiling by means of high resolution Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) coupled with Electrospray Ionization Source (ESI). The results showed (i) a greater efficacy of CFS and its fractions towards Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive bacteria; (ii) an antimicrobial effect related to pH-dependent compounds but not to MVs; (iii) a molecular weight < 3 KDa as well as an a non-proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compounds; and (iv) more than 200 and 500 putative metabolites annotated in MVs and supernatants, covering several classes of metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, fatty and organic acids, polyalcohols, nucleotides, and vitamins. Some putative compounds were proposed not only as characteristic of specific fractions, but also possibly involved in antimicrobial activity.
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Di Sotto A, Mancinelli R, Gullì M, Eufemi M, Mammola CL, Mazzanti G, Di Giacomo S. Chemopreventive Potential of Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenes: An Overview of Preliminary Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3034. [PMID: 33081075 PMCID: PMC7603190 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoprevention is referred to as a strategy to inhibit, suppress, or reverse tumor development and progression in healthy people along with high-risk subjects and oncologic patients through using pharmacological or natural substances. Numerous phytochemicals have been widely described in the literature to possess chemopreventive properties, although their clinical usefulness remains to be defined. Among them, caryophyllane sesquiterpenes are natural compounds widely occurring in nature kingdoms, especially in plants, fungi, and marine environments. Several structures, characterized by a common caryophyllane skeleton with further rearrangements, have been identified, but those isolated from plant essential oils, including β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene, and isocaryophyllene, have attracted the greatest pharmacological attention. Emerging evidence has outlined a complex polypharmacological profile of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes characterized by blocking, suppressing, chemosensitizing, and cytoprotective properties, which suggests a possible usefulness of these natural substances in cancer chemoprevention for both preventive and adjuvant purposes. In the present review, the scientific knowledge about the chemopreventive properties of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes and the mechanisms involved have been collected and discussed; moreover, possible structure-activity relationships have been highlighted. Although further high-quality studies are required, the promising preclinical findings and the safe pharmacological profile encourage further studies to define a clinical usefulness of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes in primary, secondary, or tertiary chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Romina Mancinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.L.M.)
| | - Marco Gullì
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Margherita Eufemi
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Caterina Loredana Mammola
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.L.M.)
| | - Gabriela Mazzanti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.G.); (S.D.G.)
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Hong M, Lee S, Clayton J, Yake W, Li J. Genipin suppression of growth and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma through blocking activation of STAT-3. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:146. [PMID: 32741371 PMCID: PMC7397684 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01654-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) can facilitate cancer progression and metastasis by being constitutively active via various signaling. Abundant evidence has indicated that STAT-3 may be a promising molecular target for cancer treatment. METHODS In this study, a dual-luciferase assay-based screening of 537 compounds for STAT-3 inhibitors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells was conducted, leading to the identification of genipin. Effects of genipin on HCC were assessed in a patient-derived xenograft nude mice model. Western blotting assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, molecular docking study, tube formation assay, three-dimensional top culture assay, histological examination, and immunofluorescence were utilized to evaluate the regulatory signaling pathway. RESULTS Our research demonstrated that genipin suppresses STAT-3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which may be attributed to the binding capacity of this compound to the Src homology-2 (SH2) domain of STAT-3. In addition, the therapeutic effects of genipin in a patient-derived HCC xenograft nude mice model were also demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, genipin showed therapeutic potential for HCC treatment by interacting with the SH2-STAT-3 domain and suppressing the activity of STAT-3. In the future, further research is planned to explore the potential role of genipin in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Hong
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. .,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. .,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Selena Lee
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Jacob Clayton
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Wildman Yake
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Jinke Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071985. [PMID: 32708138 PMCID: PMC7409346 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, and even more since its legalization in several jurisdictions, cannabis and the endocannabinoid system have received an increasing amount of interest related to their potential exploitation in clinical settings. Cannabinoids have been suggested and shown to be effective in the treatment of various conditions. In cancer, the endocannabinoid system is altered in numerous types of tumours and can relate to cancer prognosis and disease outcome. Additionally, cannabinoids display anticancer effects in several models by suppressing the proliferation, migration and/or invasion of cancer cells, as well as tumour angiogenesis. However, the therapeutic use of cannabinoids is currently limited to the treatment of symptoms and pain associated with chemotherapy, while their potential use as cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy still requires validation in patients. Along with cannabinoids, cannabis contains several other compounds that have also been shown to exert anti-tumorigenic actions. The potential anti-cancer effects of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, present in cannabis, are explored in this literature review.
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