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Bauso LV, La Fauci V, Munaò S, Bonfiglio D, Armeli A, Maimone N, Longo C, Calabrese G. Biological Activity of Natural and Synthetic Peptides as Anticancer Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7264. [PMID: 39000371 PMCID: PMC11242495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide, making it a serious global health concern. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatment are the most used conventional therapeutic approaches, although they show several side effects that limit their effectiveness. For these reasons, the discovery of new effective alternative therapies still represents an enormous challenge for the treatment of tumour diseases. Recently, anticancer peptides (ACPs) have gained attention for cancer diagnosis and treatment. ACPs are small bioactive molecules which selectively induce cancer cell death through a variety of mechanisms such as apoptosis, membrane disruption, DNA damage, immunomodulation, as well as inhibition of angiogenesis, cell survival, and proliferation pathways. ACPs can also be employed for the targeted delivery of drugs into cancer cells. With over 1000 clinical trials using ACPs, their potential for application in cancer therapy seems promising. Peptides can also be utilized in conjunction with imaging agents and molecular imaging methods, such as MRI, PET, CT, and NIR, improving the detection and the classification of cancer, and monitoring the treatment response. In this review we will provide an overview of the biological activity of some natural and synthetic peptides for the treatment of the most common and malignant tumours affecting people around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Vittoria Bauso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria La Fauci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Serena Munaò
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Desirèe Bonfiglio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Armeli
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Noemi Maimone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Clelia Longo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna Calabrese
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Tierno D, Grassi G, Scaggiante B. New challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma: A role for PIWI-interacting RNAs? World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:2843-2848. [PMID: 38947286 PMCID: PMC11212720 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i22.2843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and deadliest subtype of liver cancer worldwide and, therefore, poses an enormous threat to global health. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of HCC is central to improving our clinical approaches. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that bind to PIWI family proteins to regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. A growing body of work shows that the dysregulation of piRNAs plays a crucial role in the progression of various human cancers. In this editorial, we report on the current knowledge of HCC-associated piRNAs and their potential clinical utility. Based on the editorial by Papadopoulos and Trifylli, on the role and clinical evaluation of exosomal circular RNAs in HCC, we highlight this other emerging class of non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Tierno
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Bruna Scaggiante
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
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Lin C, Jiang T, E C, Wang L, Chen T, Wang X, Xiang Y. LncRNA CRNDE promotes hepatoma cell proliferation by regulating the metabolic reprogramming of M2 macrophages via ERK pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:193. [PMID: 38822362 PMCID: PMC11143606 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03380-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND LncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) was found to be an important regulator in many cancers. This project focuses on the function of CRNDE on macrophage metabolic reprogramming and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHOD qRT-PCR and Immunofluorescence were used to analyze Arg-1, IL-10, CD163, CCL-18, CD206, and CRNDE expression in HCC tissues and macrophages. Western Blotting was used to analyze ERK and p-ERK expression. Edu assay, transwell assay and xenograft experiments were carried out to study cell viability, migrated and invasive capability. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate Ki67 expression. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed for macrophages metabolites analysis. RESULTS Arg-1, IL-10, CD163, CD206, and CRNDE were significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues, M2 macrophage and M0 macrophage with CRNDE overexpressed (OV-CRNDE-M0), which downregulated in M0 macrophage with CRNDE knockdown (sh-CRNDE-M0). The conditioned medium (CM) of M2 cells and OV-CRNDE-M0 cells promoted cell viability, invasion, and migration of HCC cells, the effect was reversed by sh-CRNDE-M0 cells CM. OV-CRNDE-M0 cells promoted tumor growth, Ki67 and CD206 expression in xenograft model. 61 metabolites were detected, of which 18 metabolites changed significantly in OV-CRNDE-M0 group compared to M0 group, with 9 upregulated and 9 downregulated. KEGG analysis showed the enrichment pathways were biosynthesis, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. SMPDB analysis showed the enrichment pathways were hypoacetylaspartia, canavan disease, and aspartate metabolism. CONCLUSION CRNDE regulated the metabolic reprogramming of M2 macrophage via ERK pathway, which thereby contributed to HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lin
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Changyong E
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lun Wang
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Tong Chen
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xia Wang
- General Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yien Xiang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Li X, Pan YF, Chen YB, Wan QQ, Lin YK, Shang TY, Xu MY, Jiang TY, Pei MM, Tan YX, Dong LW, Wan XY. Arsenic trioxide augments immunogenic cell death and induces cGAS-STING-IFN pathway activation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:300. [PMID: 38684648 PMCID: PMC11058202 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06685-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is particularly challenging due to the inherent tumoral heterogeneity and easy resistance towards chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has emerged as a cytotoxic agent effective for treating solid tumors, including advanced HCC. However, its effectiveness in HCC treatment remains limited, and the underlying mechanisms are still uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the effects and mechanisms of ATO in HCC. By evaluating the susceptibilities of human and murine HCC cell lines to ATO treatment, we discovered that HCC cells exhibited a range of sensitivity to ATO treatment, highlighting their inherent heterogeneity. A gene signature comprising 265 genes was identified to distinguish ATO-sensitive from ATO-insensitive cells. According to this signature, HCC patients have also been classified and exhibited differential features of ATO response. Our results showed that ATO treatment induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and the activation of multiple cell death modalities, including necroptosis and ferroptosis, in ATO-sensitive HCC cells. Meanwhile, elevated tumoral immunogenicity was also observed in ATO-sensitive HCC cells. Similar effects were not observed in ATO-insensitive cells. We reported that ATO treatment induced mitochondrial injury and mtDNA release into the cytoplasm in ATO-sensitive HCC tumors. This subsequently activated the cGAS-STING-IFN axis, facilitating CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation. However, we found that the IFN pathway also induced tumoral PD-L1 expression, potentially antagonizing ATO-mediated immune attack. Additional anti-PD1 therapy promoted the anti-tumor response of ATO in ATO-sensitive HCC tumors. In summary, our data indicate that heterogeneous ATO responses exist in HCC tumors, and ATO treatment significantly induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) and activates the tumor-derived mtDNA-STING-IFN axis. These findings may offer a new perspective on the clinical treatment of HCC and warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Fei Pan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Bin Chen
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian-Qian Wan
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Kai Lin
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tai-Yu Shang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-You Xu
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Yi Jiang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Miao Pei
- Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye-Xiong Tan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li-Wei Dong
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xu-Ying Wan
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Arjuna A, Milborne B, Putra AR, Mulyaningsih TR, Setiawan H, Islam MT, Felfel R, Ahmed I. Development of samarium-doped phosphate glass microspheres for internal radiotheranostic applications. Int J Pharm 2024; 653:123919. [PMID: 38373598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.123919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Internal radiotherapy delivers radioactive sources inside the body, near to or into malignant tumours, which may be particularly effective when malignancies are not responding to external beam radiotherapy. A pure beta emitter, 90Y, is currently used for internal radiotherapy. However, theranostic radionuclide-doped microspheres can be developed by incorporating 153Sm, which emits therapeutic beta and diagnostic gamma energies. This study investigated the production of high concentrations of samarium-content doped phosphate-based glass microspheres. The glass P60 (i.e. 60P2O5-25CaO-15Na2O) was mixed with Sm2O3 at ratios of 75:25 (G75:Sm25), 50:50 (G50:Sm50) and 25:75 (G25:Sm75) and processed via flame spheroidisation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirmed the microsphere uniformity with significantly high samarium content up to 44 % in G25:Sm75. Via X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, samarium-doped microspheres appeared to be glass-ceramic in nature. Mass-loss, size and pH changes were performed over 28 days, revealing a significant increase in samarium microsphere stability. After 15 min of neutron activation (neutron flux 3.01 × 1013 n.cm-2.s-1), the specific activity of the microspheres (G75:Sm25, G50:Sm50 and G25:Sm75) was 0.28, 0.54 and 0.58 GBq.g-1, respectively. Therefore, the samarium microspheres produced in this study provide great potential for improving internal radiotherapy treatment for liver cancer by avoiding complex procedures and using less microspheres with shorter irradiation time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Arjuna
- Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
| | - Ben Milborne
- Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Amal Rezka Putra
- Research Organization for Nuclear Energy (ORTN), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314, Indonesia
| | - Theresia Rina Mulyaningsih
- Research Organization for Nuclear Energy (ORTN), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314, Indonesia
| | - Herlan Setiawan
- Research Organization for Nuclear Energy (ORTN), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15314, Indonesia
| | - Md Towhidul Islam
- Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Reda Felfel
- Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ifty Ahmed
- Advanced Materials Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Madej M, Gola J, Chrobak E. Synthesis, Pharmacological Properties, and Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Antitumor Activity of Betulin and Its Derivatives in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2768. [PMID: 38140110 PMCID: PMC10748330 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are an increasingly common type of malignancy, caused by the unhealthy lifestyles of people worldwide. Limited methods of treatment have prompted the search for new compounds with antitumor activity, in which betulin (BE) is leading the way. BE as a compound is classified as a pentacyclic triterpene of the lupane type, having three highly reactive moieties in its structure. Its mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of key components of signaling pathways associated with proliferation, migration, interleukins, and others. BE also has a number of biological properties, i.e., anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, as well as antitumor. Due to its poor bioavailability, betulin is subjected to chemical modifications, obtaining derivatives with proven enhanced pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties as a result. The method of synthesis and substituents significantly influence the effect on cells and GI cancers. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect is highly dependent on the derivative as well as the individual cell line. The aim of this study is to review the methods of synthesis of BE and its derivatives, as well as its pharmacological properties and molecular mechanisms of action in colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and esophageal cancer neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Madej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Joanna Gola
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Elwira Chrobak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
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