PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer: From Molecular Landscape to Clinical Aspects

Establishing nomograms for predicting disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Prognostic factors-based nomograms have been utilised to detect the likelihood of the specific cancer events. We have focused on the roles of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and p-AKT in predicting the prognosis of BC patients. This study was designed to establish nomograms based on the integration of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and p-AKT in predicting the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer (BC) patients.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were obtained from BC patients admitted to our hospital between September 2015 and August 2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilised to analyse the risk factors of recurrence and mortality. The nomograms for predicting the DFS and OS were established using the screened risk factors. Stratified analysis was performed with the cut-off value of exp (pi) of 4.0-fold in DFS and OS, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that ALDH, p-AKT and pathological stage III were independent risk factors for the recurrence among BC patients. ALDH1, p-AKT, pathological stage III and ER-/PR-/HER2- were independent risk factors for the mortality among BC patients. The established nomograms based on these factors were effective for predicting the DFS and OS with good agreement to the calibration curve and acceptable area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, stratified analyses showed patients with a low pi showed significant decrease in the DFS and OS compared with those of high risk.

CONCLUSION

We established nomograms for predicting the DFS and OS of BC patients based on ALDH1, p-AKT and pathological stages. The ER-/PR-/HER2- may be utilised to predict the OS rather than DFS in the BC patients.

Engineering exosomes from fibroblast growth factor 1 pre-conditioned adipose-derived stem cells promote ischemic skin flaps survival by activating autophagy

Background

The recovery of ischemic skin flaps is a major concern in clinical settings. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of engineered exosomes derived from FGF1 pre-conditioned adipose-derived stem cells (FEXO) on ischemic skin flaps.

Method

6 patients who suffered from pressure ulcer at stage 4 and underwent skin flaps surgery were recruited in this study to screen the potential targets of ischemic skin flaps in FGF family. FGF1 was co-incubated with adipose stem cells, and ultracentrifugation was applied to extract FEXO. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was used to determine the most effective microRNA in FEXO. Animal skin flaps models were established in our study to verify the effects of FEXO. Immunofluorescence (IF), western blotting (WB) and other molecular strategy were used to evaluate the effects and mechanism of FEXO.

Results

FGF1 was expected to be the therapeutic and diagnostic target of ischemic skin flaps, but there is still some deficiency in rescuing skin flaps. FEXO significantly improved the viability of RPSFs and endothelial cells by inhibiting oxidative stress and alleviating apoptosis and pyroptosis through augmenting autophagy flux. In addition, FEXO inhibited the over-activated inflammation responses. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that miR-183-5p was significantly elevated in FEXO, and inhibiting miR-183-5p resulted in impaired protective effects of autophagy in skin flaps. The exosomal miR-183-5p markedly enhanced cell viability, inhibited oxidative stress and alleviated apoptosis and pyroptosis in endothelial cells by targeting GPR137 through Pi3k/Akt/mTOR pathway, indicating that GPR137 could also be a therapeutic target of ischemic skin flap. It was also notabale that FGF1 increased the number of exosomes by upregulating VAMP3, which may be a promising strategy for clinical translation.

Conclusion

FEXO markedly improved the survivial rate of ischemic skin flaps through miR-183-5p/GPR137/Pi3k/Akt/mTOR axis, which would be a promising strategy to rescue ischemic skin flaps.

Polyphyllin II inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Paridis Rhizoma saponins (PRS) are significant components of Rhizoma Paridis and have inhibitory effects on various tumors, such as bladder, breast, liver and colon cancer. Polyphyllin II (PPII), one of the PRS, has an unclear effect on breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of PPII in breast cancer. A network pharmacology approach was employed to predict the core components and breast cancer‑related targets of PRS. Moreover, a xenograft tumor model was established to determine the anti‑breast cancer effect of PPII in vivo. The viability of MDA‑MB‑231 cells was determined by a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using annexin V/PI double staining. Additionally, Transwell and scratch assays were performed to evaluate invasion and migration. The potential mechanism was predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis and molecular docking analysis and verified by western blot analysis. The effect of PPII on aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells was detected by lactic acid and pyruvate kits and Western blotting of glycolytic rate‑limiting enzymes. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 26 core targets involved in breast cancer and that PPII was the core active component of PRS. The in vivo studies showed that PPII could inhibit the growth of breast cancer in mice. In vitro experiments confirmed that PPII induced cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited invasion and migration. Furthermore, PPII was capable of suppressing the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, reducing the generation of aerobic glycolytic products, and diminishing the protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 and pyruvate kinase M2. The results indicated that PPII inhibited aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting breast cancer growth.

Multi-layered knowledge graph neural network reveals pathway-level agreement of three breast cancer multi-gene assays

Multi-gene assays have been widely used to predict the recurrence risk for hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer patients. However, these assays lack explanatory power regarding the underlying mechanisms of the recurrence risk. To address this limitation, we proposed a novel multi-layered knowledge graph neural network for the multi-gene assays. Our model elucidated the regulatory pathways of assay genes and utilized an attention-based graph neural network to predict recurrence risk while interpreting transcriptional subpathways relevant to risk prediction. Evaluation on three multi-gene assays-Oncotype DX, Prosigna, and EndoPredict-using SCAN-B dataset demonstrated the efficacy of our method. Through interpretation of attention weights, we found that all three assays are mainly regulated by signaling pathways driving cancer proliferation especially RTK-ERK-ETS-mediated cell proliferation for breast cancer recurrence. In addition, our analysis highlighted that the important regulatory subpathways remain consistent across different knowledgebases used for constructing the multi-level knowledge graph. Furthermore, through attention analysis, we demonstrated the biological significance and clinical relevance of these subpathways in predicting patient outcomes. The source code is available at http://biohealth.snu.ac.kr/software/ExplainableMLKGNN.

The landscape of circRNAs in gliomas temozolomide resistance: Insights into molecular pathways

As the deadliest type of primary brain tumor, gliomas represent a significant worldwide health concern. Circular RNA (circRNA), a unique non-coding RNA molecule, seems to be one of the most alluring target molecules involved in the pathophysiology of many kinds of cancers. CircRNAs have been identified as prospective targets and biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous disorders, particularly malignancies. Recent research has established a clinical link between temozolomide (TMZ) resistance and certain circRNA dysregulations in glioma tumors. CircRNAs may play a therapeutic role in controlling or overcoming TMZ resistance in gliomas and may provide guidance for a novel kind of individualized glioma therapy. To address the biological characteristics of circRNAs and their potential to induce resistance to TMZ, this review has highlighted and summarized the possible roles that circRNAs may play in molecular pathways of drug resistance, including the Ras/Raf/ERK PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and metabolic processes in gliomas.

The PIK3CA gene and its pivotal role in tumor tropism of triple-negative breast cancer

The PIK3CA gene is a linchpin in the intricate molecular network governing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumor tropism, serving as a focal point for understanding this aggressive disease. Anchored within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, PIK3CA mutations exert substantial influence, driving cellular processes that highlight the unique biology of TNBC. This review meticulously highlights the association between PIK3CA mutations and distinct TNBC subtypes, elucidating the gene's multifaceted contributions to tumor tropism. Molecular dissection reveals how PIK3CA mutations dynamically modulate chemokine responses, growth factor signaling, and extracellular matrix interactions, orchestrating the complex migratory behaviour characteristic of TNBC cells. A detailed exploration of PIK3CA-targeted strategies in the therapeutic arena is presented, outlining the current landscape of clinical trials and precision medicine approaches. As the scientific narrative converges, this review underscores the critical role of PIK3CA in shaping the molecular intricacies of TNBC tumor tropism and illuminates pathways toward tailored interventions, promising a paradigm shift in the clinical management of TNBC.

HER3: Updates and current biology function, targeted therapy and pathologic detecting methods

Being a member of the EGFR tyrosine kinase family, HER3 has been shown to be overexpressed in a number of cancers, including breast cancer (BC). The kinase activity of HER3 is extremely low, and it forms heterodimers with partners, HER2 in particular, that promote biological processes like cell migration, survival, and proliferation by activating downstream carcinogenic signaling pathways. The overexpression of HER3 is also directly linked to tumor invasion, metastasis, and a poor prognosis. Despite the relatively low expression of HER3 compared to EGFR and HER2, a lot of targeted drugs are making their way into clinical trials and seem to have a bright further. This review aims to summarize the relationship between HER3 overexpression, mutations, and carcinogenicity and drug resistance, starting from the unique structure and kinase activity of HER3. Simultaneously, numerous approaches to HER3 targeted therapy are enumerated, and the clinical detection methods for HER3 that are commonly employed in pathology are sorted and contrasted to offer physicians a range of options. We think that a better knowledge of the mechanisms underlying HER3 in tumors and the advancement of targeted HER3 therapy will contribute to an improved prognosis for cancer patients and an increase in the efficacy of anticancer therapies.

DON encapsulated carbon dot-vesicle conjugate in therapeutic intervention of lung adenocarcinoma by dual targeting of CD44 and SLC1A5

Lung adenocarcinoma, recognized as one of the most formidable malignancies with a dismal prognosis and low survival rates, poses a significant challenge in its treatment. This article delineates the design and development of a carbon dot-vesicle conjugate (HACD-TMAV) for efficient cytotoxicity towards lung cancer cells by target selective delivery of the glutamine inhibitor 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) within CD44-enriched A549 cancer cells. HACD-TMAV is composed of hyaluronic acid-based carbon dots (HACDs) and trimesic acid-based vesicles (TMAV), which are bound via electrostatic interactions. TMAVs are formed by positively charged trimesic acid-based amphiphiles through H-type aggregation in water. HACDs were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal route. The blue-emitting HACD-TMAV conjugate demonstrated selective bioimaging in CD44-overexpressed A549 lung cancer cells due to specific ligand-receptor interactions between HA and CD44. HACD-TMAV exhibited notably improved DON loading efficiency compared to individual nano-vehicles. HACD-TMAV-DON exhibited remarkable (∼6.0-fold higher) cytotoxicity against CD44-overexpressing A549 cells compared to CD44- HepG2 cells and HEK 293 normal cells. Also, DON-loaded HACD-TMAV showed ∼2.0-fold higher cytotoxicity against A549 cells compared to individual carriers and ∼4.5-fold higher cytotoxicity than by DON. Furthermore, HACD-TMAV-DON induced a ∼3.5-fold reduction in the size of 3D tumor spheroids of A549 cells. The enhanced anticancer effectiveness was attributed to starvation of the A549 cells of glutamine by dual targeting of glutamine metabolism and solute linked carrier family 1 member A5 (SLC1A5) through HA-linked CD44-mediated targeted delivery of DON. This led to over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induced apoptosis of cancer cells through downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade.

SLC38A5 suppresses ferroptosis through glutamine-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Solute carrier family 38 member 5 (SLC38A5) is an amino acid transporter that plays a significant role in various cellular biological processes and may be involved in regulating the progression of tumors However, its function and underlying mechanism in osteosarcoma remain unexplored.

METHODS

Utilizing various database analyses and experiments, we have explored the dysregulation of SLC38A5 in osteosarcoma and its prognostic value. A series of in vitro functional experiments, including CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell invasion assays, were conducted to evaluate the effects of SLC38A5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Downstream pathways of SLC38A5 were explored through methods such as western blot and metabolic assays, followed by a series of validations. Finally, we constructed a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice to explore SLC38A5 function in vivo.

RESULTS

SLC38A5 is upregulated in osteosarcoma and is associated with poor prognosis in patients. Upregulation of SLC38A5 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells, while the PI3K inhibitor BKM120 can counteract these effects. Additionally, silencing of SLC38A5 inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, SLC38A5 mediates the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by transporting glutamine, which subsequently enhances the SREBP1/SCD-1 signaling pathway, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells.

CONCLUSION

SLC38A5 promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the glutamine-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibits ferroptosis. Targeting SLC38A5 and the PI3K/AKT signaling axis may provide a meaningful therapeutic strategy for the future treatment of osteosarcoma.

Breast cancer genomic analyses reveal genes, mutations, and signaling networks

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the predominant cause of death in women. BC is a complex disorder, and the exploration of several types of BC omic data, highlighting genes, perturbations, signaling and cellular mechanisms, is needed. We collected mutational data from 9,555 BC samples using cBioPortal. We classified 1174 BC genes (mutated ≥ 40 samples) into five tiers (BCtier_I-V) and subjected them to pathway and protein‒protein network analyses using EnrichR and STRING 11, respectively. BCtier_I possesses 12 BC genes with mutational frequencies > 5%, with only 5 genes possessing > 10% frequencies, namely, PIK3CA (35.7%), TP53 (34.3%), GATA3 (11.5%), CDH1 (11.4%) and MUC16 (11%), and the next seven BC genes are KMT2C (8.8%), TTN (8%), MAP3K1 (8%), SYNE1 (7.2%), AHNAK2 (7%), USH2A (5.5%), and RYR2 (5.4%). Our pathway analyses revealed that the five top BC pathways were the PI3K-AKT, TP53, NOTCH, HIPPO, and RAS pathways. We found that BC panels share only seven genes. These findings show that BC arises from genetic disruptions evident in BC signaling and protein networks.

Unraveling the chemotherapeutic potential of taxifolin ruthenium-p-cymene complex in breast carcinoma: Insights into AhR signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Mammary carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed form of carcinoma in women worldwide. The organometallic compounds showed a prospective anticancer activity. This research explored the anticancer efficacy of taxifolin ruthenium-p-cymene counter to breast cancer.

METHODS

The anticancer efficacy of the novel organometallic compound was investigated via various in vitro and in vivo techniques using breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer model of rat.

RESULTS

Target proteins were identified via pharmacophore analysis, which revealed a high binding affinity towards AhR, EGFR, and β-catenin. The compound induced apoptotic events and prevented cancer cell colony formation. Furthermore, decreased expression of AhR, EGFR, and N-cadherin inhibited cancer cell growth, migration, and proliferation. The compound provoked the cell cycle arrest at sub G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase and inaugurated the caspase-3 dependent apoptotic events. The in-vivo experimentation displayed the fruitful restoration of breast tissue since the complex treatment in DMBA persuaded breast carcinoma in rat. Moreover, the upstream of p53 and caspase-3 expression along with substantially downstream of vimentin, β-catenin, m-TOR and Akt expression.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the compound repressed the cancerous cellular viability, migration, and EMT via modulating the AhR/EGFR/ PI3K transduction pathway and the expression of EMT biomarkers such as N-cadherin, E-cadherin, thus eventually revoked the EMT facilitated metastasis of malignant cells.

COVID-19 vaccination anti-cancer impact on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MC4L2 mice models

The most promising method of containing the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, research on the relationship between vaccination against COVID-19 and cancer has primarily examined induced immunity rather than the disease itself. Considering that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, the main goal of this study was to examine the impact of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccination on tumor characteristics such as tumor size, important tumor markers, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, metastasis to vital organs, and investigation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and the expression levels of relevant genes (PTEN, mTOR, AKT, PI3K, GSK3, and FoxO1) of the luminal B (MC4L2) mouse model. The tumor size of the mice was measured and monitored every two days, and after thirty days, the mice were euthanized. Remarkably, after vaccination, all vaccinated mice showed a decrease in the size of their tumor and an increase in the number of lymphocytes that had invaded the tumors. Tumor marker levels (VEGF, Ki-67, MMP-2/9), CD4/CD8 ratio, metastasis to vital organs, hormone receptors (ER, PR, and HER-2), and expression of genes related to the advancement of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were lower in vaccinated mice. Our research showed that the COVID-19 vaccine can have an anti-cancer effect by slowing the tumor progression and metastasis.

Targeting esophageal carcinoma: molecular mechanisms and clinical studies

Esophageal cancer (EC) is identified as a predominant health threat worldwide, with its highest incidence and mortality rates reported in China. The complex molecular mechanisms underlying EC, coupled with the differential incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) across various regions, highlight the necessity for in-depth research targeting molecular pathogenesis and innovative treatment strategies. Despite recent progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, challenges such as drug resistance and the lack of effective biomarkers for patient selection persist, impeding the optimization of therapeutic outcomes. Our review delves into the molecular pathology of EC, emphasizing genetic and epigenetic alterations, aberrant signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment factors, and the mechanisms of metastasis and immune evasion. We further scrutinize the current landscape of targeted therapies, including the roles of EGFR, HER2, and VEGFR, alongside the transformative impact of ICIs. The discussion extends to evaluating combination therapies, spotlighting the synergy between targeted and immune-mediated treatments, and introduces the burgeoning domain of antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and multitarget-directed ligands. This review lies in its holistic synthesis of EC's molecular underpinnings and therapeutic interventions, fused with an outlook on future directions including overcoming resistance mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and the potential of novel drug formulations.

Inhibitors of the mTOR signaling pathway can play an important role in breast cancer immunopathogenesis

This study explores the critical role of inhibitors targeting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in breast cancer research and treatment. The mTOR pathway, a central regulator of cellular processes, has been identified as a crucial factor in the development and progression of breast cancer. The essay explains the complex molecular mechanisms through which mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its analogs, exert their anticancer effects. These inhibitors can stop cell growth, proliferation, and survival in breast cancer cells by blocking critical signaling pathways within the mTOR pathway. Furthermore, the essay discusses the implications of using mTOR inhibitors as a comprehensive therapeutic strategy. It emphasizes the potential benefits of combining mTOR inhibitors with other treatment approaches to enhance the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment. The evolving landscape of breast cancer research underscores the significance of mTOR as a therapeutic target and highlights ongoing efforts to improve and optimize mTOR inhibitors for clinical use. In conclusion, the essay asserts that inhibitors of the mTOR signaling pathway offer a promising approach in the fight against breast cancer. These inhibitors provide a focused and effective intervention targeting specific dysregulations within the mTOR pathway. As research advances, the integration of mTOR inhibitors into customized combination therapies holds excellent potential for shaping a more effective and personalized approach to breast cancer treatment, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for individuals affected by this complex and diverse disease.

Insights into medicinal attributes of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as anticancer agents

Cancer ranks among the most life-threatening diseases worldwide and is continuously affecting all age groups. Consequently, many research studies are being carried out to develop new cancer treatments, but many of them experience resistance and cause severe toxicity to the patients. Therefore, there is a continuous need to design novel anticancer agents that are target-based, have a higher potency, and have minimal toxicity. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (IP) pharmacophore has been found to be a prominent moiety in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its vast biological properties. Also, it holds immense potential for combating cancer with minimal side effects, depending on the substitution patterns of the core structure. IPs exhibit significant capability in regulating various cellular pathways, offering possibilities for targeted anticancer effects. The present review summarizes the anticancer profile of numerous IP derivatives synthesized and developed by various researchers from 2016 till now, as inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR), protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and tubulin polymerization. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the anticancer activity afforded by the discussed IP compounds, emphasizing the structure-activity-relationships (SARs). The aim is also to underscore the potential therapeutic future of the IP moiety as a potent partial structure for upcoming cancer drug development and to aid researchers in the field of rational drug design.

Design Principles and Applications of Fluorescent Kinase Inhibitors for Simultaneous Cancer Bioimaging and Therapy

Kinase inhibitors are potent therapeutic agents in cancer treatment, but their effectiveness is frequently restricted by the inability to image the tumor microenvironment. To address this constraint, kinase inhibitor-fluorophore conjugates have emerged as promising theranostic agents, allowing for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and treatment. These conjugates are gaining attention for their ability to visualize malignant tissues and concurrently enhance therapeutic interventions. This review explores the design principles governing the development of multimodal inhibitors, highlighting their potential as platforms for kinase tracking and inhibition via bioimaging. The structural aspects of constructing such theranostic agents are critically analyzed. This work could shed light on this intriguing field and provide adequate impetus for developing novel theranostic compounds based on small molecule inhibitors and fluorophores.

Mitophagy: insights into its signaling molecules, biological functions, and therapeutic potential in breast cancer

Mitophagy, a form of selective autophagy that removes damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria, plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. Recent findings suggest that defective mitophagy is closely associated with various diseases, including breast cancer. Moreover, a better understanding of the multifaceted roles of mitophagy in breast cancer progression is crucial for the treatment of this disease. Here, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy process. In addition, we highlight the expression patterns and roles of mitophagy-related signaling molecules in breast cancer progression and the potential implications of mitophagy for the development of breast cancer, aiming to provide better therapeutic strategies for breast cancer treatment.

Higher risk of recurrence in early-stage breast cancer patients with increased levels of ribosomal protein S6

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is implicated in breast cancer progression and recurrence. The identification of PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations and loss of PTEN serve as selection criterion for targeted therapies involving selective inhibitors. However, they do not consistently align with pathway activation, and high-cost determinations limit their routine application. PI3K-downstream epigenetic regulatory mechanisms broaden the alterations that amplify pathway activity and, consequently, sensitivity to selective inhibitors. In this retrospective observational study, conducted within a cohort of early-stage breast cancer patients, we determined phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (pS6) at Ser240/244 by immunohistochemistry as an indicator of PI3K pathway activation. Log-Rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the clinical relevance of pS6, alone and together with clinicopathological variables, regarding recurrence-free survival. ROC curves and the area under the curves were used to evaluate the calibration and discrimination properties of uni- and multivariate models. Our results show that a high percentage of pS6 positive tumor cells was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in a cohort of 129 hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative breast cancer patients (Hazard Ratio = 5.92; Log-Rank p = 9.5e-08; median follow-up = 53 months). When assessed in combination with lymph node status, the predictive capacity was higher compared to both univariate models individually. In conclusion, pS6 could represent a novel independent marker for predicting recurrence risk in luminal breast cancer.

Anticancer Effect of Cycas media: Molecular Basis Through Modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Many researchers are focusing on screening the biological activities of plants owing to their safety and possible pharmacological actions. Consequently, we aimed to explore the antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties of Cycas media methanolic extract on HepG2 cell lines. Moreover, we also explore the antitumor action against the experimentally induced solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) model and investigate the possible involved molecular mechanisms. Also, the antibacterial action of the extract was elucidated. Different concentrations of the extract were incubated with HepG2 to determine cytotoxicity, followed by cell cycle analysis. The in vivo experiment was accomplished by grouping the animals into four different groups (n = 10); normal control, SEC, C. media 100, and C. media 200. The extract was administered at 100 and 200 mg/kg. Tumor volume, tumor inhibition rate, toxicity profile, and antioxidant biomarkers were determined. Moreover, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was investigated as a possible underlying antitumor mechanism. The tumor control group showed a remarkable upregulation for PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR, along with downregulation for the antioxidant SOD and GPX4, as well as decreased levels of GSH and MDA. C. media extract reversed these parameters to a significant level and the higher dose showed a superior antitumor effect. C. media extract showed antiproliferative effects against HepG2 cells, along with a suppressive action on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and an antioxidant effect. Additionally, C. media had antibacterial consequences against S. aureus isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations from 32 to 128 µg/mL. It also caused a noteworthy growth delay as well as a notable reduction in the membrane integrity of S. aureus isolates. These beneficial outcomes suggest C. media to have potential antitumor and antibacterial activities.

Adunctin E from Conamomum rubidum Induces Apoptosis in Lung Cancer via HSP90AA1 Modulation: A Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Study

Lung cancer stands out as a leading cause of death among various cancer types, highlighting the urgent need for effective anticancer drugs and the discovery of new compounds with potent therapeutic properties. Natural sources, such as the Conamomum genus, offer various bioactive compounds. Adunctin E (AE), a dihydrochalcone derived from Conamomum rubidum, exhibited several pharmacological activities, and its potential as an anticancer agent remains largely unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate its apoptotic-inducing effect and identify its molecular targets. The network pharmacology analysis led to the identification of 71 potential targets of AE against lung cancer. Subsequent gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses revealed the involvement of these targets in cancer-associated signaling pathways. Notably, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, and PIK3CA emerged as key players in apoptosis. In silico molecular docking and dynamic simulations suggested a strong and stable interaction between AE and HSP90AA1. In vitro experiments further confirmed a significant apoptotic-inducing effect of AE on lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis exhibited a substantial decrease in HSP90AA1 levels in response to AE treatment. These findings support the potential anticancer activity of AE through the HSP90AA1 mechanism, underscoring its promise as a novel compound worthy of further research and development for anti-lung cancer therapy.

Curcumin and Methotrexate: A Promising Combination for Osteosarcoma Treatment via Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most severe bone tumor in children. A chemotherapy regimen includes a combination of high-dose Methotrexate (MTX), doxorubicin, and cisplatin. These drugs cause acute and chronic side effects, such as infections, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, DNA damage, and inflammation. Therefore, to identify new therapeutic strategies, effective and with a safety profile, is necessary. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway involved in tumorigenesis is active in OS. Hh components Patched receptor 1 (PTCH1), Smoothened (SMO), and glioma-associated oncogene homolog transcription factors (GLI1 and GLI2) are overexpressed in OS cell lines and patient samples. Curcumin (CUR)-with antioxidant and anti-cancer properties-downregulates Hh components in cancer, inhibiting progression. This study investigates CUR effects on the MG-63 OS cell line, alone and combined with MTX, to propose a novel therapeutic approach. Our study suggests CUR as a novel therapeutic agent in OS, particularly when combined with MTX. Targeting the Hh signaling pathway, CUR and MTX showed significant pro-apoptotic effects, increasing the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and total apoptotic cell percentage. They reduced the expression of Hh pathway components (PTCH1, SMO, GLI1, and GLI2), inhibiting OS cell proliferation, survival, and invasion. CUR and MTX combined determined a β-Catenin decrease and a trend toward reducing NF-kB and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Our findings suggest CUR as a support to OS treatment, improving outcomes and reducing the adverse effects of current therapies.

Knockout of histone deacetylase 8 gene in breast cancer cells may alter the expression pattern of the signaling molecules

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosed in the world and it is also the main leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Change in epigenetic mechanisms promotes BC initiation and progression. Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) was found to act as a potential oncogene in different malignancies. For better understanding of the HDAC8 function in BC development, we investigated the effect of HDAC8 deletion on the expression of genes involved in signaling pathways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, CRISPR technology was used to knockout the HDAC8 gene in MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 ​cell lines. For this purpose, two gRNAs were designed and cloned into the PX459 vector. The gRNA-containing vectors were transfected into the BC cell lines and then the effect of this deletion on the expression of genes involved in signaling pathway was determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Analysis of qRT-PCR results showed a reduction in the expression of studied genes in BC cell lines after deletion of the HDAC8 gene compared to untreated controls. Although this decline was not significant for FGF2 and FGFR1 genes, however the mTOR, IGF1R, INSR, VEGFA and VEGFR2 genes showed statistically significant reduction in the studied BC cell lines. In addition, the down-regulation of PDGFC and PDGFRA genes were only significant in the TNBC cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study showed that HDAC8 can exert its oncogenic effects by altering the expression level of molecules involved in some signaling pathways, and inhibiting HDAC8 can revert these effects.

Deciphering Aflatoxin B1 affected critical molecular pathways governing cancer: A bioinformatics study using CTD and PANTHER databases

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a fungal toxin consistently found as a contaminant in food products such as cereals, nuts, spices, and oilseeds. AFB1 exposure can lead to hepatotoxicity, cancer, immune suppression, reproductive deficiency, nutritional dysfunction, and growth impairment. AFB1 has also been listed as one of the most potent human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Although the correlation between AFB1 exposure and cancer initiation and progression is already reported in the literature, very little information is available about what molecular pathways are affected during cancer development. Considering this, we first selected AFB1-responsive genes involved in five deadliest cancer types including lung, colorectal, liver, stomach, and breast cancers from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Then, using the PANTHER database, a statistical overrepresentation test was performed to identify the significantly affected pathways in each cancer type. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) pathway, the CCKR signaling pathway, and angiogenesis were found to be the most affected pathways in lung, breast, liver, and stomach cancers. In addition, AFB1 toxicity majorly impacted apoptosis and Wnt signaling pathways in liver and stomach cancers, respectively. Moreover, the most affected pathways in colorectal cancer were the Wnt, CCKR, and GnRHR pathways. Furthermore, gene analysis was also performed for the most affected pathways associated with each cancer and identified thirteen key genes (e.g., FOS, AKT1) that may serve as biological markers for a particular type of AFB1-induced cancer as well as for in vitro AFB1 toxicological studies using specific cancer cell lines.

Deciphering the multi-scale mechanism of herbal phytoconstituents in targeting breast cancer: a computational pharmacological perspective

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer-associated deaths in females worldwide. Despite advancements in BC treatment driven by extensive characterization of its molecular hallmarks, challenges such as drug resistance, tumor relapse, and metastasis persist. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment approaches with multi-modal efficacy to overcome these hurdles. In this context, natural bioactives are increasingly recognized for their pivotal role as anti-cancer compounds. This study focuses on predicting molecular targets for key herbal phytoconstituents-gallic acid, piperine, quercetin, resveratrol, and beta-sitosterol-present in the polyherbal formulation, Krishnadi Churna. Using an in-silico network pharmacology model, key genes were identified and docked against these marker compounds and controls. Mammary carcinoma emerged as the most significant phenotype of the putative targets. Analysis of an online database revealed that out of 135 predicted targets, 134 were mutated in breast cancer patients. Notably, ESR1, CYP19A1, and EGFR were identified as key genes which are known to regulate the BC progression. Docking studies demonstrated that the herbal phytoconstituents had similar or better docking scores than positive controls for these key genes, with convincing protein-ligand interactions confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations, MM/GBSA and free energy landscape (FEL) analysis. Overall, this study highlights the predictive potential of herbal phytoconstituents in targeting BC genes, suggesting their promise as a basis for developing new therapeutic formulations for BC.

Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: An overview from cellular structural perspective

Anthracyclines are broad-spectrum anticancer drugs, but their clinical use is limited due to their severe cardiotoxicity. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) remains a significant cause of heart disease-related mortality in many cancer survivors. The underlying mechanisms of AIC have been explored over the past few decades. Reactive oxygen species and drug-induced inhibition of topoisomerase II beta are well-studied mechanisms, with mitochondria being a prominently investigated organelle. Emerging mechanisms such as ferroptosis, Ca2+ overload, autophagy and inflammation mediators have been implicated in recent years. In this review, our goal is to summarize and update the roles of various mechanisms in AIC, focusing on different cellular levels and further explore promising therapeutic approaches targeting these organelles or pathways.

SnoRNA U50A mediates everolimus resistance in breast cancer through mTOR downregulation

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer in women globally, posing significant challenges in treatment due to the inevitable development of resistance to targeted therapies like everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor. While several mechanisms of resistance have been proposed, the role of snoRNAs in this context remains inadequately explored. Our study unveils a novel connection between snoRNAs and everolimus resistance, focusing on the snoRNA U50A. We discovered that U50A negatively regulates mTOR signaling by transcriptionally downregulating mTOR gene expression, which consequently leads to decreased sensitivity to everolimus treatment. Through RNA sequencing, gene set enrichment analyses, and experimental validations, we established that U50A overexpression in breast cancer cells results in mTOR downregulation and subsequently, everolimus desensitization. Clinical results further supported our findings, showing a higher prevalence of everolimus resistance in tumors with elevated U50A expression. Moreover, our results suggest that U50A's effect on mTOR is mediated through the suppression of the transcription factors c-Myc, with a notable impact on cancer cell viability under everolimus treatment. This study not only highlights the complex role of snoRNAs in cancer drug resistance but also proposes U50A as a potential biomarker for predicting everolimus efficacy in breast cancer treatment.

A bibliometric analysis of the application of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway in cancer

PI3K-AKT-mTOR plays as important role in the growth, metabolism, proliferation, and migration of cancer cells, and in apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and angiogenesis in cancer. In this study, the aim was to comprehensively review the current research landscape regarding the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in cancer, using bibliometrics to analyze research hotspots, and provide ideas for future research directions. Literature published on the topic between January 2006 and May 2023 was retrieved from the Web of Science core database, and key information and a visualization map were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. A total of 5800 articles from 95 countries/regions were collected, including from China and the USA. The number of publications on the topic increased year on year. The major research institution was the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Oncotarget and Clinical Cancer Research were the most prevalent journals in the field. Of 26,621 authors, R Kurzrock published the most articles, and J Engelman was cited most frequently. "A549 cell," "first line treatment," "first in human phase I," and "inhibitor" were the keywords of emerging research hotspots. Inhibitors of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and their use in clinical therapeutic strategies for cancer were the main topics in the field, and future research should also focus on PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway inhibitors. This study is the first to comprehensively summarize trends and development s in research into the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in cancer. The information that was obtained clarified recent research frontiers and directions, providing references for scholars of cancer management.

Plant-Based Anticancer Compounds With a Focus on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a common form of cancer among women characterized by the growth of malignant cells in the breast tissue. The most common treatments for this condition include chemotherapy, surgical intervention, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. The primary issues associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy are their adverse events and significant financial burden among patients in underdeveloped countries. This highlights the need to explore and develop superior therapeutic options that are less detrimental and more economically efficient. Plants provide an abundant supply of innovative compounds and present a promising new avenue for investigating cancer. Plants and their derivations are undergoing a revolution due to their reduced toxicity, expediency, cost-effectiveness, safety, and simplicity in comparison to conventional treatment methods. Natural products are considered promising candidates for the development of anticancer drugs, due perhaps to the diverse pleiotropic effects on target events. The effects of plant-derived products are limited to cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Identification of compounds with strong anticancer properties and development of plant-based medications for cancer treatment might be crucial steps in breast cancer therapy. Although bioactive compounds have potent anticancer properties, they also have drawbacks that need to be resolved before their application in clinical trials and improved for the approved drugs. This study aims to give comprehensive information on known anticancer compounds, including their sources and molecular mechanisms of actions, along with opportunities and challenges in plant-based anticancer therapies.

Pharmacogenetics in Oncology: A useful tool for individualizing drug therapy

With the continuous development of genetics in healthcare, there has been a significant contribution to the development of precision medicine, which is ultimately aimed at improving the care of patients. Generally, drug treatments used in Oncology are characterized by a narrow therapeutic range and by their potential toxicity. Knowledge of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics can be very useful in the area of Oncology, as they constitute additional tools that can help to individualize patients' treatment. This work includes a description of some genes that have been revealed to be useful in the field of Oncology, as they play a role in drug prescription and in the prediction of treatment response.

Breast cancer promotes the expression of neurotransmitter receptor related gene groups and image simulation of prognosis model

Breast cancer (BC), a prevalent and severe malignancy, detrimentally affects women globally. Its prognostic implications are profoundly influenced by gene expression patterns. This study retrieved 509 BCE-associated oncogenes and 1,012 neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from the GSEA and KEGG databases, intersecting to identify 98 relevant genes. Clinical and transcriptomic expression data related to BC were downloaded from the TCGA, and differential genes were identified based on an FDR value <0.05 & |log2FC| ≥ 0.585. Univariate analysis of these genes revealed that high expression of NSF and low expression of HRAS, KIF17, and RPS6KA1 are closely associated with BC survival prognosis. A prognostic model constructed for these four genes demonstrated significant prognostic relevance for BC-TCGA patients (P < 0.001). Subsequently, an immunofunctional analysis of the BC oncogene-neurotransmitter receptor-related gene cluster revealed the involvement of immune cells such as T cells CD8, T cells CD4 memory resting, and Macrophages M2. Further analysis indicated that immune functions were primarily concentrated in APC_co_inhibition, APC_co_stimulation, CCR, and Check-point, among others. Lastly, a prognostic nomogram model was established, and ROC curve analysis revealed that the nomogram is a vital indicator for assessing BC prognosis, with 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates of 0.981, 0.897, and 0.802, respectively. This model demonstrates high calibration, clinical utility, and predictive capability, promising to offer an effective preliminary tool for clinical diagnostics.

ITGB4 Serves as an Identification and Prognosis Marker Associated with Immune Infiltration in Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Integrin beta 4 (ITGB4) is a vital factor for numerous cancers. However, no reports regarding ITGB4 in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) have been found in the existing literature. This study systematically investigated the expression and clinical value of ITGB4 in SCLC using multi-center and large-sample (n = 963) data. The ITGB4 expression levels between SCLC and control tissues were compared using standardized mean difference and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The clinical significance of the gene in SCLC was observed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves. ITGB4 is overexpressed in multiple cancers and represents significant value in distinguishing among cancer samples (AUC = 0.91) and predicting the prognoses (p < 0.05) of patients with different cancers. In contrast, decreased ITGB4 mRNA expression was determined in SCLC (SMD < 0), and this finding was further confirmed at protein levels using in-house specimens (p < 0.05). This decrease in expression may be attributed to the regulatory role of estrogen receptor 1. ITGB4 may participate in the progression of SCLC by affecting several signaling pathways (e.g., tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway) and a series of immune cells (e.g., dendritic cells) (p < 0.05). The gene may serve as a potential marker for predicting the disease status (AUC = 0.97) and prognoses (p < 0.05) of patients with SCLC. Collectively, ITGB4 was identified as an identification and prognosis marker associated with immune infiltration in SCLC.

The role of ALDH1A1 in glioblastoma proliferation and invasion

High-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), continue to be a leading aggressive brain tumor in adults, marked by its rapid growth and invasive nature. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1 (ALDH1A1), an enzyme, plays a significant role in tumor progression, yet its function in high-grade gliomas is still poorly investigated. In this study, we evaluated ALDH1A1 levels in clinical samples of GBM. We also assessed the prognostic significance of ALDH1A1 expression in GBM and LGG (low grade glioma) patients using TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database analysis. The MTT and transwell assays were utilized to examine cell growth and the invasive capability of U87 cells, respectively. We quantitatively examined markers for cell proliferation (Ki-67 and cyclin D1) and invasion (MMP2 and 9). A Western blot test was conducted to determine the downstream signaling of ALDH1A1. We found a notable increase in ALDH1A1 expression in high-grade gliomas compared to their low-grade counterparts. U87 cells that overexpressed ALDH1A1 showed increased cell growth and invasion. We found that ALDH1A1 promotes the phosphorylation of AKT, and inhibiting AKT phosphorylation mitigates the ALDH1A1's effects on tumor growth and migration. In summary, our findings suggest ALDH1A1 as a potential therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

Targeted therapy of cancer stem cells: inhibition of mTOR in pre-clinical and clinical research

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a type of stem cell that possesses not only the intrinsic abilities of stem cells but also the properties of cancer cells. Therefore, CSCs are known to have self-renewal and outstanding proliferation capacity, along with the potential to differentiate into specific types of tumor cells. Cancers typically originate from CSCs, making them a significant target for tumor treatment. Among the related cascades of the CSCs, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is regarded as one of the most important signaling pathways because of its association with significant upstream signaling: phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which influence various activities of stem cells, including CSCs. Recent studies have shown that the mTOR pathway not only affects generation of CSCs but also the maintenance of their pluripotency. Furthermore, the maintenance of pluripotency or differentiation into specific types of cancer cells depends on the regulation of the mTOR signal in CSCs. Consequently, the clinical potential and importance of mTOR in effective cancer therapy are increasing. In this review, we demonstrate the association between the mTOR pathway and cancer, including CSCs. Additionally, we discuss a new concept for anti-cancer drug development aimed at overcoming existing drawbacks, such as drug resistance, by targeting CSCs through mTOR inhibition.

Review on effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural products against breast cancer bone metastasis

Bone metastasis is the prevalent form of metastasis in breast cancer, resulting in severe pain, pathological fractures, nerve compression, hypercalcemia, and other complications that significantly impair patients' quality of life. The infiltration and colonization of breast cancer (BC) cells in bone tissue disrupt the delicate balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts within the bone microenvironment, initiating a vicious cycle of bone metastasis. Once bone metastasis occurs, conventional medical therapy with bone-modifying agents is commonly used to alleviate bone-related complications and improve patients' quality of life. However, the utilization of bone-modifying agents may cause severe drug-related adverse effects. Plant-derived natural products such as terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, and phenols have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic pharmacological properties with minimal side effects. Certain natural products that exhibit both anti-breast cancer and anti-bone metastasis effects are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer bone metastasis (BCBM). This article reviewed the effects of plant-derived natural products against BCBM and their mechanisms to provide a reference for the research and development of drugs related to BCBM.

The Use of Patient-Derived Organoids in the Study of Molecular Metabolic Adaptation in Breast Cancer

Around 13% of women will likely develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Advances in cancer metabolism research have identified a range of metabolic reprogramming events, such as altered glucose and amino acid uptake, increased reliance on glycolysis, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME), all of which present new opportunities for targeted therapies. However, studying these metabolic networks is challenging in traditional 2D cell cultures, which often fail to replicate the three-dimensional architecture and dynamic interactions of real tumors. To address this, organoid models have emerged as powerful tools. Tumor organoids are 3D cultures, often derived from patient tissue, that more accurately mimic the structural and functional properties of actual tumor tissues in vivo, offering a more realistic model for investigating cancer metabolism. This review explores the unique metabolic adaptations of breast cancer and discusses how organoid models can provide deeper insights into these processes. We evaluate the most advanced tools for studying cancer metabolism in three-dimensional culture models, including optical metabolic imaging (OMI), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), and recent advances in conventional techniques applied to 3D cultures. Finally, we explore the progress made in identifying and targeting potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer metabolism.

B3GALT4 modulates tumor progression and autophagy by AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

β-1,3-Galactosyltransferase-4 (B3GALT4), a member of the β-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene family, is essential to the development of many malignancies. However, its biological function in breast cancer is still unknown.

METHOD

Publically accessible datasets, as well as quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry on our patient cohort were used to investigate the expression levels of B3GALT4 in breast cancer. The correlation of B3GALT4 expression with clinical histopathological data and mortality in breast cancer patients was investigated. The effects of B3GALT4 in breast cancer in vitro and in vivo were investigated. RNA-seq, western blot, autophagolysosomes, and the fluorescence intensity of LC3 were used to explore the effects of B3GALT4 on autophagy. Western blot and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to identify the AKT/mTOR pathway.

RESULTS

B3GALT4 was significantly overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and was positively correlated with some aspects of clinicopathological status and poor prognosis. B3GALT4 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, both in vitro and in vivo. B3GALT4 inhibition suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Suppression of B3GALT4 triggered autophagy and hindered the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

According to the present research, B3GALT4 blocked autophagy via the AKT/mTOR pathway and accelerated the growth of breast cancer. B3GALT4 may be an effective target for patients with breast cancer.

Therapeutic delivery of siRNA for the management of breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. The difficulties with anticancer medications, such as ineffective targeting, larger doses, toxicity to healthy cells and side effects, have prompted attention to alternate approaches to address these difficulties. RNA interference by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is one such tactic. When compared with chemotherapy, siRNA has several advantages, including the ability to quickly modify and suppress the expression of the target gene and display superior efficacy and safety. However, there are known challenges and hurdles that limits their clinical translation. Decomposition by endonucleases, renal clearance, hydrophilicity, negative surface charge, short half-life and off-target effects of naked siRNA are obstacles that hinder the desired biological activity of naked siRNA. Nanoparticulate systems such as polymeric, lipid, lipid-polymeric, metallic, mesoporous silica nanoparticles and several other nanocarriers were used for effective delivery of siRNA and to knock down genes involved in breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. The focus of this review is to provide a comprehensive picture of various strategies utilized for delivering siRNA, such as combinatorial delivery, development of modified nanoparticles, smart nanocarriers and nanocarriers that target angiogenesis, cancer stem cells and metastasis of breast cancer.

Plasma Exosome miR-203a-3p is a Potential Liquid Biopsy Marker for Assessing Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer Patients

Background

Timely detection of tumor progression in breast cancer (BC) patients is critical for therapeutic management and prognosis. Plasma exosomal miRNAs are potential liquid biopsy markers for monitoring tumor progression, but their roles in BC remain unclear.

Methods

In the TCGA database, we first screened for miRNAs significantly associated with BC progression by comparing miRNA expression in para-carcinoma tissues, stage I BC tissues, and stage II-III BC tissues (n = 1026). Cox regression analyses and survival analyses were performed on candidate miRNAs to explore their prognostic value (n = 848). KEGG, GO, and PPI analyses were used to identify enriched pathways associated with cancer. Finally, the potential of candidate miRNAs as liquid biopsy markers was evaluated by sequencing and analyzing plasma exosomal miRNAs from our collection of 45 BC patients (14 in stage I, 31 in stage II-III) and 5 healthy controls, combined with qRT-PCR analysis to assess the correlation of candidate gene expression in plasma exosomes and BC tissues.

Results

We found that only miR-203a-3p was progressively elevated with BC progression and was associated with poor prognosis in the TCGA dataset. Its potential target genes were enriched in pathways related to tumor progression, and the downregulation of 48 of these genes was associated with poor prognosis. More importantly, plasma exosomal miR-203a-3p was also found to gradually increase with BC progression, and its expression was positively correlated with miR-203a-3p in BC tissues. This result suggests that plasma exosomal miR-203a-3p may reflect the expression of miR-203a-3p in tumor tissues and serve as a potential liquid biopsy marker for monitoring BC progressions.

Conclusion

We found for the first time that elevated miR-203a-3p was associated with BC progression and poor prognosis. Our findings suggested that plasma exosomal miR-203a-3p could hold potential as a liquid biopsy marker for evaluating BC progression in patients.

Navigating Treatment Pathways in Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: Optimizing Second-Line Endocrine and Targeted Therapies

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

A retrospective analysis suggests PTEN expression is associated with favorable clinicopathological features of breast cancer

The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene acts as a tumor suppressor by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, crucial for cell growth and survival. Mutations or loss of PTEN are common in breast cancer, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Understanding PTEN's role is vital for targeted therapies. 276 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer tissue blocks from 2012 to 2016 were analyzed for PTEN expression. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify and assess tumor related clinicopathological characteristics as well as patient demographics. These were statistically matched with PTEN expression. Only 27.5% of the breast cancer tumors were PTEN-positive. PTEN expression correlated significantly with smaller tumor size, lower tumor grade, positive estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and favorable/unfavorable Ki67 status (p < 0.001). No significant association was found with vascular invasion, histologic type, age, HER2 status, staging, or lymph node involvement (p > 0.05). The study confirms PTEN's association with favorable clinicopathological features in breast cancer, supporting its role as a prognostic marker. These findings underscore the importance of PTEN in breast cancer biology and its potential as a therapeutic target. Furthermore these findings confirm the prevalence of advanced stage and aggressive breast cancer tumors in Ghana.

Da-Chai-Hu-Tang Formula inhibits the progression and metastasis in HepG2 cells through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/STAT3-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Da-Chai-Hu-Tang (DCHT), a Chinese traditional herbal compound, has been utilized for the treatment of Hepatic diseases in China for over 1800 years. The DCHT formula contains eight herbals: Bupleurum chinense DC. (chaihu), Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (huangqin), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (baishao), Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino (banxia), Rheum officinale Baill. (dahuang), Citrus × aurantium L. (zhishi), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (shengjiang), Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (dazao). Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of DCHT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its ability to enhance the immunity of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 20 Chinese articles have been published on the use of DCHT in treating HCC.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to validate the effect of DCHT in HCC cells and to identify related targets (TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3) in treating HCC by DCHT in vitro experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell proliferation and migration were investigated in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Apoptotic bodies in HepG2 cells were observed using a confocal microscope. Biochemical detection was employed to analyze LDH release, MDA levels, and SOD levels. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict core targets between DCHT and HCC, as well as potential signaling pathways. The protein levels of metastasis-associated, apoptosis, and PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, and STAT3 were further determined through Western blotting.

RESULTS

Following treatment with DCHT, the inhibition of viability, migration, and G2/M arrest was observed in HepG2 cells. Flow cytometry analysis and Morphological apoptosis studies provided evidence that DCHT could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Biochemical detection revealed that DCHT could increase LDH release and the level of MDA, and inhibit the viability of the SOD. Bioinformatics analysis identified key targets such as TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3. The PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway emerged as a critical pathway in the KEGG enrichment analysis. Western blotting results indicated that DCHT could enhance the expression of E-cadherin, p53, and Bax, while reducing the content of N-cadherin, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT1, and STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

The results proved that DCHT could inhibit the progression and metastasis of HCC by regulating the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, p53, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, and STAT3 through the PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway.

IL-22: A key inflammatory mediator as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for lung cancer

Lung cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, stands as the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. As is well-known, the utmost crucial risk factor contributing to lung cancer is smoking. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in treating lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the absence of effective and accurate biomarkers for diagnosing and treating lung cancer remains a pressing issue. Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family. It exerts biological functions (including induction of proliferation and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, enhancement of tissue regeneration and immunity defense) by binding to heterodimeric receptors containing type 1 receptor chain (R1) and type 2 receptor chain (R2). IL-22 has been identified as a pro-cancer factor since dysregulation of the IL-22-IL-22R system has been implicated in the development of different cancers, including lung, breast, gastric, pancreatic, and colon cancers. In this review, we discuss the differential expression, regulatory role, and potential clinical significance of IL-22 in lung cancer, while shedding light on innovative approaches for the future.

Advances in dual-targeting inhibitors of HDAC6 for cancer treatment

Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an essential regulator of histone acetylation processes, exerting influence on a multitude of cellular functions such as cell motility, endocytosis, autophagy, apoptosis, and protein trafficking through its deacetylation activity. The significant implications of HDAC6 in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immune disorders have motivated extensive investigation into the development of specific inhibitors targeting this enzyme for therapeutic purposes. Single targeting drugs carry the risk of inducing drug resistance, thus prompting exploration of dual targeting therapy which offers the potential to impact multiple signaling pathways simultaneously, thereby lowering the likelihood of resistance development. While pharmacological studies have exhibited promise in combined therapy involving HDAC6, challenges related to potential drug interactions exist. In response to these challenges, researchers are investigating HDAC6 hybrid molecules which enable the concomitant targeting of HDAC6 and other key proteins, thus enhancing treatment efficacy while mitigating side effects and reducing the risk of resistance compared to traditional combination therapies. The published design strategies for dual targeting inhibitors of HDAC6 are summarized and discussed in this review. This will provide some valuable insights into more novel HDAC6 dual targeting inhibitors to meet the urgent need for innovative therapies in oncology and other related fields.

Exploring Radioiodinated Anastrozole and Epirubicin as AKT1-Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals in Breast Cancer: In Silico Analysis and Potential Therapeutic Effect with Functional Nuclear Imagining Implications

This study evaluates radio-iodinated anastrozole ([125I]anastrozole) and epirubicin ([125I]epirubicin) for AKT1-targeted breast cancer therapy, utilizing radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) for personalized treatment. Through molecular docking and dynamics simulations (200 ns), it investigates these compounds' binding affinities and mechanisms to the AKT1 enzyme, compared to the co-crystallized ligand, a known AKT1 inhibitor. Molecular docking results show that [125I]epirubicin has the highest ΔGbind (-11.84 kcal/mol), indicating a superior binding affinity compared to [125I] anastrozole (-10.68 kcal/mol) and the co-crystallized ligand (-9.53 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed a stable interaction with the AKT1 enzyme, with [125I]anastrozole and [125I]epirubicin reaching stability after approximately 68 ns with an average RMSD of around 2.2 Å, while the co-crystallized ligand stabilized at approximately 2.69 Å after 87 ns. RMSF analysis showed no significant shifts in residues or segments, with consistent patterns and differences of less than 2 Å, maintaining enzyme stability. The [125I]epirubicin complex maintained an average of four H-bonds, indicating strong and stable interactions, while [125I]anastrozole consistently formed three H-bonds. The average Rg values for both complexes were ~16.8 ± 0.1 Å, indicating no significant changes in the enzyme's compactness, thus preserving structural integrity. These analyses reveal stable binding and minimal structural perturbations, suggesting the high potential for AKT1 inhibition. MM-PBSA calculations confirm the potential of these radio-iodinated compounds as AKT1 inhibitors, with [125I]epirubicin exhibiting the most favorable binding energy (-23.57 ± 0.14 kcal/mol) compared to [125I]anastrozole (-20.03 ± 0.15 kcal/mol) and the co-crystallized ligand (-16.38 ± 0.14 kcal/mol), highlighting the significant role of electrostatic interactions in stabilizing the complex. The computational analysis shows [125I]anastrozole and [125I]epirubicin may play promising roles as AKT1 inhibitors, especially [125I]epirubicin for its high binding affinity and dynamic receptor interactions. These findings, supported by molecular docking scores and MM-PBSA binding energies, advocate for their potential superior inhibitory capability against the AKT1 enzyme. Nevertheless, it is crucial to validate these computational predictions through in vitro and in vivo studies to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic potential and viability of these compounds for AKT1-targeted breast cancer treatment.

Metformin and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: implications for cancer, cardiovascular, and central nervous system diseases

Recent findings have brought our understanding of diseases at the molecular level, highlighting upstream intracellular pathways as potential therapeutic targets. The PI3K/AKT pathway, a key regulator of cellular responses to environmental changes, is frequently altered in various diseases, making it a promising target for intervention. Metformin is the most known anti-diabetic agent that is known due to its effects on cancer, inflammatory-related diseases, oxidative stress, and other human diseases. It is clearly understood that metformin modulates the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway leading to a wide variety of outcomes. This interaction has been well-studied in various diseases. Therefore, this review aims to examine PI3K/AKT-modulating properties of metformin in cancer, cardiovascular, and central nervous system diseases. Our findings indicate that metformin is effective in treating cancer and CNS diseases, and plays a role in both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These insights support the potential of metformin in comprehensive strategies for disease management.

Golgi apparatus targeted therapy in cancer: Are we there yet?

Membrane trafficking within the Golgi apparatus plays a pivotal role in the intracellular transportation of lipids and proteins. Dysregulation of this process can give rise to various pathological manifestations, including cancer. Exploiting Golgi defects, cancer cells capitalise on aberrant membrane trafficking to facilitate signal transduction, proliferation, invasion, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Despite the identification of several molecular signalling pathways associated with Golgi abnormalities, there remains a lack of approved drugs specifically targeting cancer cells through the manipulation of the Golgi apparatus. In the initial section of this comprehensive review, the focus is directed towards delineating the abnormal Golgi genes and proteins implicated in carcinogenesis. Subsequently, a thorough examination is conducted on the impact of these variations on Golgi function, encompassing aspects such as vesicular trafficking, glycosylation, autophagy, oxidative mechanisms, and pH alterations. Lastly, the review provides a current update on promising Golgi apparatus-targeted inhibitors undergoing preclinical and/or clinical trials, offering insights into their potential as therapeutic interventions. Significantly more effort is required to advance these potential inhibitors to benefit patients in clinical settings.

Melatonin effect on breast and ovarian cancers by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Melatonin, the hormone of the pineal gland, possesses a range of physiological functions, and recently, its anticancer effect has become more apparent. A more thorough understanding of molecular alterations in the components of several signaling pathways as new targets for cancer therapy is needed because of current innate restrictions such as drug toxicity, side effects, and acquired or de novo resistance. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is overactivated in many solid tumors, such as breast and ovarian cancers. This pathway in normal cells is essential for growth, proliferation, and survival. However, it is an undesirable characteristic in malignant cells. We have reviewed multiple studies about the effect of melatonin on breast and ovarian cancer, focusing on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Melatonin exerts its inhibitory effects via several mechanisms. A: Downregulation of downstream or upstream components of the signaling pathway such as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate kinase (PI3K), p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mTOR complex1 (mTORC1). B: Apoptosis induction by decreasing MDM2 expression, a downstream target of Akt, and mTOR, which leads to Bad activation in addition to Bcl-XL and p53 inhibition. C: Induction of autophagy in cancer cells via activating ULK1 after mTOR inhibition, resulting in Beclin-1 phosphorylation. Beclin-1 with AMBRA1 and VPS34 promotes PI3K complex I activity and autophagy in cancer cells. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway overlaps with other intracellular signaling pathways and components such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Wnt/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and other similar pathways. Cancer therapy can benefit from understanding how these pathways interact and how melatonin affects these pathways.

Therapy resistance in prostate cancer: mechanism, signaling and reversal strategies

Prostate cancer (PC) depicts a major health challenge all over the globe due to its complexities in the treatment and diverse clinical trajectories. Even in the advances in the modern treatment strategies, the spectrum of resistance to the therapies continues to be a significant challenge. This review comprehensively examines the underlying mechanisms of the therapy resistance occurred in PC, focusing on both the tumor microenvironment and the signaling pathways implicated in the resistance. Tumor microenvironment comprises of stromal and epithelial cells, which influences tumor growth, response to therapy and progression. Mechanisms such as microenvironmental epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), anoikis suppression and stimulation of angiogenesis results in therapy resistance. Moreover, dysregulation of signaling pathways including androgen receptor (AR), mammalian target of rapamycin/phosphoinositide 3 kinase/AKT (mTOR/PI3K/AKT), DNA damage repair and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathways drive therapy resistance by promoting tumor survival and proliferation. Understanding these molecular pathways is important for developing targeted therapeutic interventions which overcomes resistance. In conclusion, a complete grasp of mechanisms and pathways underlying medication resistance in PC is important for the development of individualized treatment plans and enhancements of clinical outcomes. By studying and understanding the complex mechanisms of signaling pathways and microenvironmental factors contributing to therapy resistance, this study focuses and aims to guide the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to effectively overcome the PC progression and improve the survival rate of patients.

Therapeutic SHPRH-146aa encoded by circ-SHPRH dynamically upregulates P21 to inhibit CDKs in neuroblastoma

Recent research has underscored the significance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Specifically, circ-SHPRH, a unique circRNA, has been revealed to inhibit tumor growth by sequestering miRNAs or producing the SHPRH-146aa protein. To explore circ-SHPRH's involvement in NB and its potential application in gene therapy, this study examined circ-SHPRH expression in 94 NB tissues and cell lines (SK-N-BE(2), SH-SY5Y) using real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Functional assays encompassing both overexpression and knockdown experiments in NB cell lines, as well as in vivo investigations, were conducted. RNA-seq analysis revealed a correlation between circ-SHPRH and the pathway of P21 (CDKN1A), a pivotal cell cycle regulator. Validation through PCR and other techniques confirmed that circ-SHPRH upregulated P21 expression. Furthermore, the regulatory role of circ-SHPRH in the P21-CDK pathway was corroborated through SHPRH-146aa expression analysis. Notably, adenovirus-mediated circ-SHPRH overexpression effectively curbed NB tumor growth in NSG mice, while combining circ-SHPRH with everolimus exhibited potential for NB treatment. This study elucidates the remarkable significance of circ-SHPRH in NB and its prospective utility in gene therapy, thereby paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.

GSK3B inhibition reduced cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Previous studies show that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3B) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, its role in cervical cancer is unclear. The present study silenced GSK3B with siRNAs and/or chemical inhibitors to determine its role in HeLa cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration as well as in xenograft tumor growth. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to determine cell survival and proliferation. Scratch and Transwell® assays were used to evaluate cell migration. Xenograft tumors were used to evaluate the effect of GSK3B on tumor growth. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to clarify the mechanisms underlying the foregoing processes. Public databases and clinical specimens showed that GSK3B was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. In vitro experiments indicated that GSK3B inhibition reduced cell viability, proliferation, and migration. In vivo experiments demonstrated that GSK3B inhibition slowed xenograft tumor growth. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that GSK3B inhibition modulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-carboxykinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction signaling pathways. GSK3B inhibition decreased the protein levels of phosphorylated PI3K and Akt and the levels of mesenchymal markers but increased those of epithelial markers. An activator of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway counteracted the suppressive effects of GSK3B inhibition on HeLa cell viability and proliferation and on PI3K/Akt signaling. Our data suggested that GSK3B regulated cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).