IL-6 Cytokine Family: A Putative Target for Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Bioinformatics and In Vitro Study Reveal ERα as The Potential Target Gene of Honokiol to Enhance Trastuzumab Sensitivity in HER2+ Trastuzumab-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Trastuzumab resistance presents a significant challenge in the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer, necessitating the investigation of combination therapies to overcome this resistance. Honokiol, a compound with broad anticancer activity, has shown promise in this regard. This study aims to discover the effect of honokiol in increasing trastuzumab sensitivity in HER2+ trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells HCC1954 and the underline mechanisms behind. A bioinformatics study performed to explore the most potential target hub gene for honokiol in HER2+ breast cancer. Honokiol, trastuzumab and combined treatment cytotoxicity activity was then evaluated in both parental HCC1954 and trastuzumab resistance (TR-HCC1954) cells using MTT assay. The expression levels of these hub genes were then analyzed using qRT-PCR and those that could not be analyzed were subjected to molecular docking to determine their potential. Honokiol showed a potent cytotoxicity activity with an IC50 of 41.05 μM and 69.61 μM in parental HCC1954 and TR-HCC1954 cell line respectively. Furthermore, the combination of honokiol and trastuzumab resulted in significant differences in cytotoxicity in TR-HCC1954 cells at specific concentrations. Molecular docking and the qRT-PCR showed that the potential ERα identified from the bioinformatics analysis was affected by the treatment. Our results show that honokiol has the potential to increase the sensitivity of trastuzumab in HER2+ trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cell line HCC1954 by affecting regulating estrogen receptor signaling. Further research is necessary to validate these findings.

The Role of Salivary Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Cytokines, and Amino Acids in Immunomodulation and Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer

In this work, we focused on the analysis of VEGF content in saliva and its relationship with pro-inflammatory cytokines and amino acids involved in immunomodulation and angiogenesis in breast cancer. The study included 230 breast cancer patients, 92 patients with benign breast disease, and 59 healthy controls. Before treatment, saliva samples were obtained from all participants, and the content of VEGF and cytokines in saliva was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as the content of amino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography. It was found that VEGF was positively correlated with the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (r = 0.6367), IL-6 (r = 0.3813), IL-8 (r = 0.4370), and IL-18 (r = 0.4184). Weak correlations were shown for MCP-1 (r = 0.2663) and TNF-α (r = 0.2817). For the first time, we demonstrated changes in the concentration of VEGF and related cytokines in saliva in different molecular biological subtypes of breast cancer depending on the stage of the disease, differentiation, proliferation, and metastasis to the lymph nodes. A correlation was established between the expression of VEGF and the content of aspartic acid (r = -0.3050), citrulline (r = -0.2914), and tryptophan (r = 0.3382) in saliva. It has been suggested that aspartic acid and citrulline influence the expression of VEGF via the synthesis of the signaling molecule NO, and then tryptophan ensures tolerance of the immune system to tumor cells.

Modulation of heat shock protein expression and cytokine levels in MCF-7 cells through photodynamic therapy

In this study, we assess the impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4) on the viability and cellular stress responses of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Specifically, we investigate changes in cell viability, cytokine production, and the expression of stress-related genes. Experimental groups included control cells, those treated with AlPcS4 only, light-emitting diode (LED) only, and combined PDT. To evaluate these effects on cell viability, cytokine production, and the expression of stress-related genes, techniques such as 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and real-time quantitative PCR (RT‒qPCR) were employed. Our findings reveal how PDT with AlPcS4 modulates mitochondrial activity and cytokine responses, shedding light on the cellular pathways essential for cell survival and stress adaptation. This work enhances our understanding of PDT's therapeutic potential and mechanisms in treating breast cancer.

Targeting interleukin-6 as a treatment approach for peritoneal carcinomatosis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a complex manifestation of abdominal cancers, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Recent work identifying high concentrations of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6-Rα) in the peritoneal cavity of patients with PC has highlighted this pathway as an emerging potential therapeutic target. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the potential role of IL-6 in the development and progression of PC. We discuss mechansims by which the IL-6 pathway may contribute to peritoneal tumor dissemination, mesothelial adhesion and invasion, stromal invasion and proliferation, and immune response modulation. Finally, we review the prospects for targeting the IL-6 pathway in the treatment of PC, focusing on common sites of origin, including ovarian, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal and appendiceal cancer, and mesothelioma.

Modulatory effects of point-mutated IL-32θ (A94V) on tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Tumor-associated macrophages stimulate cytokines and chemokines, which induce angiogenesis, metastasis, proliferation, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Although interleukin-32 (IL-32) has been implicated in the development and modulation of several cancers, its function in breast cancer remains elusive. Mutation of interleukin-32θ (IL-32θ) in the tissues of patients with breast cancer was detected by Sanger sequencing. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and mediators. The secreted proteins were detected using respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of mutant IL-32θ on proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells was conducted using MTS assays, migration assays, and Western blotting. A point mutation (281C>T, Ala94Val) was detected in IL-32θ in both breast tumors and adjacent normal tissues, which suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, EMT factors, and cell cycle related factors. Mutated IL-32θ inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, mutated IL-32θ suppressed EMT markers and cell cycle related factors through the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. It was inferred that mutated IL-32θ modulates breast cancer progression. Mutated IL-32θ (A94V) inhibited inflammation, EMT, and proliferation in breast cancer by regulating the NF-κB (p65/p50) and FAK-PI3K-GSK3 pathways.

Current progress and prospects for G protein-coupled estrogen receptor in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a biologically and clinically heterogeneous disease. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) plays a crucial role in mediating the effect of estrogen and estrogen-like compounds in TNBC cells. Compared with other subtypes, GPER has a higher expression in TNBC. The GPER mechanisms have been thoroughly characterized and analyzed in estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive breast cancer, but not in TNBC. Our previous work revealed that a higher expression of GPER mRNA indicates a better prognosis for ERα-positive breast cancer; however, its effects in TNBC differ. Whether GPER could serve as a predictive prognostic marker or therapeutic target for TNBC remains unclear. In this review, we provide a detailed introduction to the subcellular localization of GPER, the different effects of various ligands, and the interactions between GPER and closely associated factors in TNBC. We focused on the internal molecular mechanisms specific to TNBC and thoroughly explored the role of GPER in promoting tumor development. We also discussed the interaction of GPER with specific cytokines and chemokines, and the relationship between GPER and immune evasion. Additionally, we discussed the feasibility of using GPER as a therapeutic target in the context of existing studies. This comprehensive review highlights the effects of GPER on TNBC, providing a framework and directions for future research.

The linkage between IL-6 rs1800797 variant and breast cancer susceptibility in Bangladeshi women: A case-control study

Background and Aims

Breast cancer is one of the deadliest diseases affecting women in Bangladesh, and its prevalence is increasing year by year. Although several IL-6 single nucleotide polymorphisms have been implicated in BC susceptibility and prognosis in various studies, no research has been done to investigate the relationship between breast cancer and IL-6 in Bangladeshi women. This investigation aimed to explore the linkage between the rs1800797 variant of IL-6 and the susceptibility to breast carcinoma among women in Bangladesh.

Methods

The IL-6 rs1800797 variant was genotyped in 218 subjects (110 cases and 108 controls) using the tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method. The statistical analysis was applied utilizing the SPSS software version 24.0. UALCAN database was used for IL-6 mRNA analysis, and genotype-based gene expression was retrieved from GTEx Portal.

Results

This study found a significant link between IL-6 rs1800797 variants and increased chance of breast cancer across different genetic inheritance models, including additive model 1 (AG vs. GG: OR = 2.16, p = 0.035); dominant model (AG + AA vs. GG: OR = 2.26, p < 0.05); overdominant model (AG vs. GG + AA: OR = 2.08, p < 0.05); and allelic model (A vs. G: OR = 2.15, p < 0.05). However, an insignificant association of breast cancer was found in both additive model 2 (AA vs. GG: OR = 2.91, p > 0.05) and the recessive model (AA vs. GG + AG: OR = 2.52, p > 0.05). Under the analysis of the probability of false positive reports, no significant values were found in different models when the OR was 1.5, and the prior probability was 0.25.

Conclusions

A significant relationship was found between the IL-6 rs1800797 genetic variant and the risk of breast cancer. However, the findings of the study should be further investigated with a larger sample size to validate the correlation.

Tumor-educated Gr1+CD11b+ cells drive breast cancer metastasis via OSM/IL-6/JAK-induced cancer cell plasticity

Cancer cell plasticity contributes to therapy resistance and metastasis, which represent the main causes of cancer-related death, including in breast cancer. The tumor microenvironment drives cancer cell plasticity and metastasis, and unraveling the underlying cues may provide novel strategies for managing metastatic disease. Using breast cancer experimental models and transcriptomic analyses, we show that stem cell antigen-1 positive (SCA1+) murine breast cancer cells enriched during tumor progression and metastasis had higher in vitro cancer stem cell-like properties, enhanced in vivo metastatic ability, and generated tumors rich in Gr1hiLy6G+CD11b+ cells. In turn, tumor-educated Gr1+CD11b+ (Tu-Gr1+CD11b+) cells rapidly and transiently converted low metastatic SCA1- cells into highly metastatic SCA1+ cells via secreted oncostatin M (OSM) and IL-6. JAK inhibition prevented OSM/IL-6-induced SCA1+ population enrichment, while OSM/IL-6 depletion suppressed Tu-Gr1+CD11b+-induced SCA1+ population enrichment in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Moreover, chemotherapy-selected highly metastatic 4T1 cells maintained high SCA1+ positivity through autocrine IL-6 production, and in vitro JAK inhibition blunted SCA1 positivity and metastatic capacity. Importantly, Tu-Gr1+CD11b+ cells invoked a gene signature in tumor cells predicting shorter overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and lung metastasis in breast cancer patients. Collectively, our data identified OSM/IL-6/JAK as a clinically relevant paracrine/autocrine axis instigating breast cancer cell plasticity and triggering metastasis.

Differences and significance of peripheral blood interleukin-6 expression between patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis and those with benign breast tumors

Objective

It is unclear whether the mechanism of the interleukin (IL)-6 signaling pathway is similar between granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) and benign breast tumors. This study aimed to explore the differences and significance of peripheral blood IL-6 and related cytokines, routine blood test results, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels between patients with GLM and benign breast tumors.

Methods

Seventy-three inpatients with GLM who underwent surgery and 60 patients with benign breast tumors diagnosed based on pathological findings between November 2022 and May 2023 were included. The white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEU) counts were determined using an automatic blood cell analyzer, the CRP level was determined by an immunoturbidimetric assay, and serum IL-6 and related cytokine levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The WBC, NEU, and CRP values in patients with GLM were significantly higher than those in patients with benign breast tumors (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with GLM than in those with benign breast tumors (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-7, and interferon (IFN)-γ between patients with GLM and those with benign breast tumors (P > 0.05), but the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was higher in patients with GLM than in those with benign breast tumors (P < 0.01). In patients with GLM, the Pearson correlation analysis showed that the IL-6 level was positively correlated with NEU, NEU%, CRP, IL-17, and TNF-α values (P < 0.01). Additionally, the IL-6 level was weakly positively correlated with WBC and IFN-γ values. Conversely, in patients with benign breast tumors, the IL-6 level was not significantly correlated with the aforementioned indicators in routine blood tests but was positively correlated with IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α values (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

IL-6, NEU, NEU%, and CRP values were significantly elevated in patients with GLM compared to those with benign breast tumors, indicating that IL-6 plays an important role in the development and onset of GLM. The correlation between these cytokines and the development and progression of benign breast tumors needs to be further explored, as cytokines such as IL-6 may provide effective markers for the treatment of GLM.

Anti-Tumor Effect of Turandot Proteins Induced via the JAK/STAT Pathway in the mxc Hematopoietic Tumor Mutant in Drosophila

Several antimicrobial peptides suppress the growth of lymph gland (LG) tumors in Drosophila multi sex comb (mxc) mutant larvae. The activity of another family of polypeptides, called Turandots, is also induced via the JAK/STAT pathway after bacterial infection; however, their influence on Drosophila tumors remains unclear. The JAK/STAT pathway was activated in LG tumors, fat body, and circulating hemocytes of mutant larvae. The mRNA levels of Turandot (Tot) genes increased markedly in the mutant fat body and declined upon silencing Stat92E in the fat body, indicating the involvement of the JAK/STAT pathway. Furthermore, significantly enhanced tumor growth upon a fat-body-specific silencing of the mRNAs demonstrated the antitumor effects of these proteins. The proteins were found to be incorporated into small vesicles in mutant circulating hemocytes (as previously reported for several antimicrobial peptides) but not normal cells. In addition, more hemocytes containing these proteins were found to be associated with tumors. The mutant LGs contained activated effector caspases, and a fat-body-specific silencing of Tots inhibited apoptosis and increased the number of mitotic cells in the LG, thereby suggesting that the proteins inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Thus, Tot proteins possibly exhibit antitumor effects via the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation.

Identification and comprehensive analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related target genes of miR-222-3p in breast cancer

Background

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial mechanism that microRNA-222-3p (miR-222-3p) promotes breast cancer (BC) progression. Our study aimed to identify EMT-associated target genes (ETGs) of miR-222-3p for further analysis of their roles in BC based on bioinformatics tools.

Methods

Based on bioinformatics analysis, we identified 10 core ETGs of miR-222-3p. Then, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 10 ETGs and miR-222-3p, including pathway enrichment analysis of ETGs, differential expression, clinical significance, correlation with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), stemness, drug sensitivity, and genetic alteration.

Results

The expression of miR222-3p in basal-like BC was significantly higher than in other subtypes of BC and the normal adjacent tissue. Pathway analysis suggested that the ETGs might regulate the EMT process via the PI3K-Akt and HIF-1 signaling pathway. Six of the 10 core ETGs of miR-222-3p identified were down-expressed in BC, which were EGFR, IL6, NRP1, NTRK2, LAMC2, and PIK3R1, and SERPINE1, MUC1, MMP11, and BIRC5 were up-expressed in BC, which also showed potential diagnostic values in BC. Prognosis analysis revealed that higher NTRK2 and PIK3R1 expressions were related to a better prognosis, and higher BIRC5 and miR-222-3p expressions were related to a worse prognosis. Most ETGs and miR-222-3p were positively correlated with various infiltration of various immune cells and ICGs expression. Lower TMB scores were correlated with higher expression of MUC1 and NTRK2, and higher BIRC5 was related to a higher TMB score. Lower expression of MUC1, NTRK2, and PIK3R1 were associated with higher MSI scores. Higher expression of ETGs was associated with lower mRNAsi scores, except BIRC5 and miR-222-3p conversely. Most ETGs and miR-222-3p expression were negatively correlated with the drug IC50 values. The analysis of the genetic alteration of the ETGs suggested that amplification was the main genetic alteration of eight ETGs except for NTRK2 and PIK3R1.

Conclusion

MiR-222-3p might be a specific biomarker of basal-like BC. We successfully identify 10 core ETGs of miR-222-3p, some might be useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The comprehensive analysis of 10 ETGs and miR-222-3p indicated that they might be involved in the development of BC, which might be novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of BC.

Effects of stimbiotic supplementation on gut health, immune response, and intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets challenged with E. coli

In order to make piglet diets more effective, it is necessary to investigate effective methods for breaking down xylan in cereal. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary stimbiotic (STB) supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune response and intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 24 (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace) weaned pigs (initial body weight of 8.01 ± 0.38 kg and 28 ± 3 d old), were assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment. Pigs were housed in individual pens for 17 days, including 5 days adaption period and 12 days after the first Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenge. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of two levels of challenge (challenge and non-challenge) and two levels of STB (0 and 0.5 g/kg diet). Supplementations of STB 0.5 g/kg improved the gain to feed ratio (G:F) (P < 0.05) in piglets challenged with shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC). STB supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Supplementation of STB improved (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes and neutrophils in piglets challenged with STEC on 12 dpi. Supplementation of STB also improved (P < 0.05) the villus height to-crypt depth ratio of ileum in piglets challenged with STEC. Supplementation of STB increased (P < 0.05) the expression levels of claudin-1 of ileum. In genus level, supplementation of STB increased (P < 0.001) the abundance of Prevotella compared to non-supplementation of STB groups in pre-inoculation period. Also, supplementation of STB decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group compared to non-supplementation of STB groups in post-inoculation period. In phylum level, supplementation of STB increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Desulfobacterota and Fibrobacterota in pre-inoculation period. E. coli challenge increased the abundance of Fibrobacterota compared to non-challenged group in post-inoculation period. In conclusion, these findings indicated that STB supplementation could alleviate a decrease of the performance, immune response, and inflammatory response in piglets induced by the STEC challenge.

HSPB1 facilitates chemoresistance through inhibiting ferroptotic cancer cell death and regulating NF-κB signaling pathway in breast cancer

Chemoresistance is one of the major causes of therapeutic failure and poor prognosis for breast cancer patients, especially for triple-negative breast cancer patients. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identified novel functional roles of heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), regulating chemoresistance and ferroptotic cell death in breast cancer. Based on TCGA and GEO databases, HSPB1 expression was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients, which was considered an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer. Functional assays revealed that HSPB1 could promote cancer growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HSPB1 facilitated doxorubicin (DOX) resistance through protecting breast cancer cells from drug-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, HSPB1 could bind with Ikβ-α and promote its ubiquitination-mediated degradation, leading to increased nuclear translocation and activation of NF-κB signaling. In addition, HSPB1 overexpression led to enhanced secretion of IL6, which further facilitated breast cancer progression. These findings revealed that HSPB1 upregulation might be a key driver to progression and chemoresistance through regulating ferroptosis in breast cancer while targeting HSPB1 could be an effective strategy against breast cancer.

Impact of the Cancer Cell Secretome in Driving Breast Cancer Progression

Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease resulting from the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in breast epithelial cells. Despite remarkable progress in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent cancer affecting women worldwide. Recent research has uncovered a compelling link between breast cancer onset and the extracellular environment enveloping tumor cells. The complex network of proteins secreted by cancer cells and other cellular components within the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a critical player in driving the disease's metastatic properties. Specifically, the proteins released by the tumor cells termed the secretome, can significantly influence the progression and metastasis of breast cancer. The breast cancer cell secretome promotes tumorigenesis through its ability to modulate growth-associated signaling pathways, reshaping the tumor microenvironment, supporting pre-metastatic niche formation, and facilitating immunosurveillance evasion. Additionally, the secretome has been shown to play a crucial role in drug resistance development, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Understanding the intricate role of the cancer cell secretome in breast cancer progression will provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of this disease and aid in the development of more innovative therapeutic interventions. Hence, this review provides a nuanced analysis of the impact of the cancer cell secretome on breast cancer progression, elucidates the complex reciprocal interaction with the components of the tumor microenvironment and highlights emerging therapeutic opportunities for targeting the constituents of the secretome.

Advanced Cell Culture Models Illuminate the Interplay between Mammary Tumor Cells and Activated Fibroblasts

The interaction between tumor cells and activated fibroblasts determines malignant features of desmoplastic carcinomas such as rapid growth, progression towards a metastatic phenotype, and resistance to chemotherapy. On one hand, tumor cells can activate normal fibroblasts and even reprogram them into CAFs through complex mechanisms that also involve soluble factors. Among them, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) have an established role in the acquisition of pro-tumorigenic phenotypes by fibroblasts. On the other hand, activated fibroblasts release Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which increases tumor-cell invasiveness and chemoresistance. However, the interplay between breast cancer cells and fibroblasts, as well as the modes of action of TGF-β, PDGF, and IL-6, are difficult to investigate in vivo. Here, we validated the usage of advanced cell culture models as tools to study the interplay between mammary tumor cells and fibroblasts, taking mouse and human triple-negative tumor cells and fibroblasts as a case study. We employed two different settings, one permitting only paracrine signaling, the other both paracrine and cell-contact-based signaling. These co-culture systems allowed us to unmask how TGF-β, PDGF and IL-6 mediate the interplay between mammary tumor cells and fibroblasts. We found that the fibroblasts underwent activation induced by the TGF-β and the PDGF produced by the tumor cells, which increased their proliferation and IL-6 secretion. The IL-6 secreted by activated fibroblasts enhanced tumor-cell proliferation and chemoresistance. These results show that these breast cancer avatars possess an unexpected high level of complexity, which resembles that observed in vivo. As such, advanced co-cultures provide a pathologically relevant tractable system to study the role of the TME in breast cancer progression with a reductionist approach.

Association between Cardiovascular Response and Inflammatory Cytokines in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Cardiovascular disease is an essential comorbidity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and represents an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Therefore, careful monitoring of cardiovascular disease is crucial in the healthcare of NSCLC patients. Inflammatory factors have previously been associated with myocardial damage in NSCLC patients, but it remains unclear whether serum inflammatory factors can be utilized to assess the cardiovascular health status in NSCLC patients. A total of 118 NSCLC patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, and their baseline data were collected through a hospital electronic medical record system. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum levels of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1β, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Multivariate and ordinal logistic regression models were constructed. The data revealed an increased serum level of LIF in the group using tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-targeted drugs compared to non-users (p < 0.001). Furthermore, serum TGF-β1 (area under the curve, AUC: 0.616) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) (AUC: 0.720) levels were clinically evaluated and found to be correlated with pre-clinical cardiovascular injury in NSCLC patients. Notably, the serum levels of cTnT and TGF-β1 were found to indicate the extent of pre-clinical cardiovascular injury in NSCLC patients. In conclusion, the results suggest that serum LIF, as well as TGFβ1 together with cTnT, are potential serum biomarkers for the assessment of cardiovascular status in NSCLC patients. These findings offer novel insights into the assessment of cardiovascular health and underscore the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in the management of NSCLC patients.

In vitro models of breast cancer bone metastasis: analyzing drug resistance through the lens of the microenvironment

Even though breast cancers usually have a good outcome compared to other tumors, the cancer can progress and create metastases in different parts of the organism, the bone being a predilection locus. These metastases are usually the cause of death, as they are mostly resistant to treatments. This resistance can be caused by intrinsic properties of the tumor, such as its heterogeneity, but it can also be due to the protective role of the microenvironment. By activating signaling pathways protecting cancer cells when exposed to chemotherapy, contributing to their ability to reach dormancy, or even reducing the amount of drug able to reach the metastases, among other mechanisms, the specificities of the bone tissue are being investigated as important players of drug resistance. To this date, most mechanisms of this resistance are yet to be discovered, and many researchers are implementing in vitro models to study the interaction between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. Here, we will review what is known about breast cancer drug resistance in bone metastasis due to the microenvironment and we will use those observations to highlight which features in vitro models should include to properly recapitulate these biological aspects in vitro. We will also detail which elements advanced in vitro models should implement in order to better recapitulate in vivo physiopathology and drug resistance.

Vitamin K Contribution to DNA Damage—Advantage or Disadvantage? A Human Health Response

Vitamin K is the common name for a group of compounds recognized as essential for blood clotting. The group comprises phylloquinone (K1)—a 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone; menaquinone (K2, MK)—a group of compounds with an unsaturated side chain in position 3 of a different number of isoprene units and a 1,4-naphthoquinone group and menadione (K3, MD)—a group of synthetic, water-soluble compounds 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. However, recent epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin K has various benefits that go beyond blood coagulation processes. A dietary intake of K1 is inversely associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer, K2 has the potential to induce a differentiation in leukemia cells or apoptosis of various types of cancer cells, and K3 has a documented anti-cancer effect. A healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables ensures an optimal supply of K1 and K2, though consumers often prefer supplements. Interestingly, the synthetic form of vitamin K—menadione—appears in the cell during the metabolism of phylloquinone and is a precursor of MK-4, a form of vitamin K2 inaccessible in food. With this in mind, the purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of vitamin K as a micronutrient, which not only has a beneficial effect on blood clotting and the skeleton, but also reduces the risk of cancer and other pro-inflammatory diseases. A proper diet should be a basic and common preventive procedure, resulting in a healthier society and reduced burden on healthcare systems.

Exosomes: Small Vesicles with Important Roles in the Development, Metastasis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) has now overtaken lung cancer as the most common cancer, while no biopredictive marker isolated from biological fluids has yet emerged clinically. After traditional chemotherapy, with the huge side effects brought by drugs, patients also suffer from the double affliction of drugs to the body while fighting cancer, and they often quickly develop drug resistance after the drug, leading to a poor prognosis. And the treatment of some breast cancer subtypes, such as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), is even more difficult. Exosomes (Exos), which are naturally occurring extracellular vesicles (EVs) with nanoscale acellular structures ranging in diameter from 40 to 160 nm, can be isolated from various biological fluids and have been widely studied because they are derived from the cell membrane, have extremely small diameter, and are widely involved in various biological activities of the body. It can be used directly or modified to make derivatives or to make some analogs for the treatment of breast cancer. This review will focus on the involvement of exosomes in breast cancer initiation, progression, invasion as well as metastasis and the therapeutic role of exosomes in breast cancer.

Interleukin-11: A Potential Biomarker and Molecular Therapeutic Target in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancer and is a fast progressive disease when left untreated. Identification of potential biomarkers in NSCLC is an ongoing area of research that aims to detect, diagnose, and prognosticate patients early to optimize treatment. We review the role of interleukin-11 (IL11), a stromal-cell derived pleiotropic cytokine with profibrotic and cellular remodeling properties, as a potential biomarker in NSCLC. This review identifies the need for biomarkers in NSCLC, the potential sources of IL11, and summarizes the available information leveraging upon published literature, publicly available datasets, and online tools. We identify accumulating evidence suggesting IL11 to be a potential biomarker in NSCLC patients. Further in-depth studies into the pathophysiological effects of IL11 on stromal-tumor interaction in NSCLC are warranted and current available literature highlights the potential value of IL11 detection as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in NSCLC.

Natural Products in Preventing Tumor Drug Resistance and Related Signaling Pathways

Drug resistance is still an obstacle in cancer therapy, leading to the failure of tumor treatment. The emergence of tumor drug resistance has always been a main concern of oncologists. Therefore, overcoming tumor drug resistance and looking for new strategies for tumor treatment is a major focus in the field of tumor research. Natural products serve as effective substances against drug resistance because of their diverse chemical structures and pharmacological effects. We reviewed the signaling pathways involved in the development of tumor drug resistance, including Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Renin-angiotensin system (Ras), Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Wnt, Notch, Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and their specific signaling pathway inhibitors derived from natural products. This can provide new ideas for the prevention of drug resistance in cancer therapy.

Interleukin-6 at the Host-Tumor Interface: STAT3 in Biomolecular Condensates in Cancer Cells

It was recognized over 30 years ago that the polyfunctional cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) was an almost invariant presence at the host-tumor interface. The IL-6 in the tumor microenvironment was produced either by the cancer cell or by host stromal cells, or by tumor-infiltrating immune cells, or all of them. IL-6 effects in this context included local changes in tumor cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, enhanced motility, epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and changes in cell proliferation rates in both solid tumors as well as hematologic dyscrasias. Locally produced IL-6 enhanced cancer-targeting functions of tumor-infiltrating macrophages and immune cells. Additionally, the sex-biased phenotype of certain cancers [e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which is 3-5-fold more common in men] was related to the inhibition of macrophage-derived IL-6 production by estradiol-17β (E2). In many circumstances, locally produced IL-6 reached the peripheral circulation and elicited systemic effects such as cachexia and paraneoplastic syndrome (including fever, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased levels of C-reactive protein in serum, hypoalbuminemia). This review highlights the EMT produced by IL-6 in cancer cells, as well as mechanisms underlying sex bias in HCC, enhanced IL-6 expression in cancer cells resulting from mutations in p53, consequent alterations in STAT3 transcriptional signaling, and the newer understanding of STAT3 nuclear bodies in the cancer cell as phase-separated biomolecular condensates and membraneless organelles (MLOs). Moreover, the perplexing issue of discrepant measurements of IL-6 in human circulation using different assays, especially in patients undergoing immunotherapy, is discussed. Additionally, the paradoxical chaperone (enhancing) effect of anti-IL-6 “neutralizing” antibodies on IL-6 in vivo and consequent limitations of immunotherapy using anti-IL-6 mAb is considered.