Effects of Ruxolitinib and Calcitriol Combination Treatment on Various Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer

Interleukin-6 serves as a critical factor in various cancer progression and therapy

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a crucial role in host immune defense and acute stress responses. Moreover, it modulates various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and differentiation. These effects are facilitated by various signaling pathways, particularly the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). However, excessive IL-6 production and dysregulated signaling are associated with various cancers, promoting tumorigenesis by influencing all cancer hallmarks, such as apoptosis, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis, and notably, metabolism. Emerging evidence indicates that selective inhibition of the IL-6 signaling pathway yields therapeutic benefits across diverse malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, prostate, colorectal, renal, ovarian, and lung cancers. Targeting key components of IL-6 signaling, such as IL-6Rs, gp130, STAT3, and JAK via monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or small molecules, is a heavily researched approach in preclinical cancer studies. The purpose of this study is to offer an overview of the role of IL-6 and its signaling pathway in various cancer types. Furthermore, we discussed current preclinical and clinical studies focusing on targeting IL-6 signaling as a therapeutic strategy for various types of cancer.

Titanium dioxide nanostructure-loaded Adriamycin surmounts resistance in breast cancer therapy: ABCA/P53/C-myc crosstalk

Aim: To clarify the alternation of gene expression responsible for resistance of Adriamycin (ADR) in rats, in addition to investigation of a novel promising drug-delivery system using titanium dioxide nanoparticles loaded with ADR (TiO2-ADR). Method: Breast cancer was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by treatment with ADR (5 mg/kg) or TiO2-ADR (2 mg/kg) for 1 month. Results: Significant improvements in both zinc and calcium levels were observed with TiO2-ADR treatment. Gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter membrane proteins (ABCA1 & ABCG1), P53 and Jak-2 showed a significant reduction and overexpression of the C-myc in breast cancer-induced rats. TiO2-ADR demonstrated a notable ability to upregulate these genes. Conclusion: TiO2-ADR could be a promising drug-delivery system for breast cancer therapy.

Ruxolitinib induces apoptosis and pyroptosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer via the transcriptional inhibition of DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) has a 100% disease-specific mortality rate. The JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway presents a promising target for treating hematologic and solid tumors. However, it is unknown whether the JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway is activated in ATC, and the anti-cancer effects and the mechanism of action of its inhibitor, ruxolitinib (Ruxo, a clinical JAK1/2 inhibitor), remain elusive. Our data indicated that the JAK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway is significantly upregulated in ATC tumor tissues than in normal thyroid and papillary thyroid cancer tissues. Apoptosis and GSDME-pyroptosis were observed in ATC cells following the in vitro and in vivo administration of Ruxo. Mechanistically, Ruxo suppresses the phosphorylation of STAT3, resulting in the repression of DRP1 transactivation and causing mitochondrial fission deficiency. This deficiency is essential for activating caspase 9/3-dependent apoptosis and GSDME-mediated pyroptosis within ATC cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate DRP1 is directly regulated and transactivated by STAT3; this exhibits a novel and crucial aspect of JAK1/2-STAT3 on the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. In ATC, the transcriptional inhibition of DRP1 by Ruxo hampered mitochondrial division and triggered apoptosis and GSDME-pyroptosis through caspase 9/3-dependent mechanisms. These results provide compelling evidence for the potential therapeutic effectiveness of Ruxo in treating ATC.

Potential applications of JAK inhibitors, clinically approved drugs against autoimmune diseases, in cancer therapy

Disturbances in immunoregulation may lead to both cancer and autoimmune diseases. Many therapeutic drugs for autoimmune diseases also display anti-tumor efficacy. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways are involved in the secretion of more than 50 distinct cytokines, which have critical roles in inducing autoimmune diseases and tumorigenesis. Thus, Janus kinases have become classical immunotherapeutic targets for immune disease. More than 70 Janus kinase inhibitors have been approved as immunomodulatory drugs for clinical use, of which 12 are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This systematic review aims to elucidate the anti-tumor role of clinically approved Janus kinase inhibitors that were primarily designed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and their potential for clinical translation as cancer treatments.

Breast Cancer: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapeutic Approaches 2.0

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide [...].

Combined treatment with ruxolitinib and MK-2206 inhibits the JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/AKT pathways via apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Due to deficiencies in the expression of hormone receptors, such as PR, ER and HER2, it is challenging to treat triple-negative breast cancer, which does not respond to single targeted therapy. Ruxolitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor. MK-2206 is an allosteric AKT inhibitor. Due to the limited activities of ruxolitinib and MK-2206 for monotherapy, the need for cotreatment with other drugs has emerged. This study is the first to examine the effects of ruxolitinib and MK-2206 cotreatment on apoptosis and JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/AKT signaling in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Additionally, this work aimed to decrease the side effects of ruxolitinib and increase its anticancer effects with MK-2206 cotreatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cell viability was reduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner after exposure to ruxolitinib, MK-2206 or both for 48 h, as shown by MTT assay. Ruxolitinib had a synergistic antiproliferative effect, as demonstrated by colony formation and wound healing assays. The effects of ruxolitinib, MK-2206 and their combination on apoptosis, as well as PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling, were examined by western blot analyses. Cotreatment with ruxolitinib and MK-2206 reduced proliferation with the dual inhibition of JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/AKT signaling by decreasing PI3K, AKT, JAK2, STAT5, Caspase-9, Caspase-7, PARP, c-Myc, and Bcl-2 and increasing P53 and PTEN protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed the roles of P53 and PTEN in the regulation of apoptosis and the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathways. The dual inhibition of JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/AKT may reduce metastasis by decreasing tumor cell survival.

Vitamin D as a drug: new therapeutic approaches

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins and has recently been demonstrated to be much more important for the appropriate functioning of the human body and well-being than initially believed. Although vitamin D is mainly known for its link with bone fractures and bone diseases, recent studies revealed that vitamin D and its analogues have revealed many pharmacological actions covering the regulation of cell growth, inhibition of inflammation, and improvement of neuromuscular function and immune function. Moreover, vitamin D and its analogues are reported to have role in different types of cancers, skin diseases, diabetes mellitus and infections caused by different bacterial and viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. The goal of this study is to evaluate the scientific literature on therapeutic uses of vitamin D and its analogues against different diseases and health condition. Special attention has been given to COVID-19 infection, cancer, skin diseases, and diabetes. The molecular mechanisms involved are also explored.