Antitumor Effect of Various Phytochemicals on Diverse Types of Thyroid Cancers

Investigation of Scutellaria Barbata's immunological mechanism against thyroid cancer using network pharmacology and experimental validation

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, with a rapidly increasing global incidence. Scutellariae Barbatae Herba (SBH) exhibits significant antitumor activity; however, its mechanism against TC remains unclear. This study aims to explore the immunotherapeutic mechanism of SBH in treating TC through network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental validation. In the TCMSP database, the active components and potential targets of SBH were screened to construct a drug-component-target-disease network. TC targets were then filtered, and common targets were selected to build a protein-protein interaction network. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. The expression, prognosis, and immunotherapeutic roles of core genes were validated using TCGA databases. Molecular docking demonstrated the binding interactions between core components and targets. Finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the results of the network pharmacology analysis. 14 active components and 29 potential targets of SBH in treating TC were identified from the TCMSP database. PPI network analysis highlighted SPP1 as a key target. GO enrichment analysis involved 722 biological processes, 24 cellular components, and 73 molecular functions. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that the anticancer effect of SBH might be mediated through signaling pathways such as AGE-RAGE and PI3K-Akt. TCGA data indicated that SPP1 is highly expressed in TC and is associated with diagnosis, pathological stage, N stage, and gender of TC patients. Additionally, SPP1 expression correlated with the infiltration of 24 types of immune cells, with the highest correlation observed with macrophages. Molecular docking demonstrated that SPP1 has high binding stability with quercetin, Rhamnazin, and Salvigenin, with binding energies of -8.117, -7.494, and - 7.202 kJ∙mol - 1, respectively. Experimental validation showed that quercetin inhibited the growth of TC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Protein results indicated that quercetin downregulated SPP1 mRNA and protein expression. This study combines database predictions with experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanisms of SBH against TC, providing effective strategies for the immunotherapy of TC.

Traditional Chinese medicine for breast cancer treatment: a bibliometric and visualization analysis

CONTEXT

The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for breast cancer patients inhibits tumor cell growth and proliferation, alleviates adverse reactions, and inhibits tumor recurrence and metastasis post-surgery. An assessment of its historical efficacy and an examination of the latest research trends are imperative to thoroughly leverage the potential of TCM for breast cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzes the published literature on TCM for breast cancer treatment using bibliometric analysis to determine the current state, identify hot spots, and discern trends, providing insight into research in this field.

METHODS

TCM-based breast cancer treatment publications between 2003 and 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Duxiu databases. Visual analysis was performed using VOSviewer (V1.6.19) and CiteSpace (V6.3.R1) software. Examined metrics included the annual publication count, literature and journal, national and institutional contributions, author co-occurrence, keyword co-occurrence, keywords timeline, and keywords with citation bursts in this research field.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

A total of 1080 English publications and 2617 Chinese publications were included in the analysis. China was the leading contributor of publications. High-frequency keywords such as 'apoptosis', 'expression', 'in vivo', 'chemotherapy', 'triple-negative breast cancer', and 'lymphedema' were identified from English and Chinese publications; 'epithelial mesenchymal transition' and 'network pharmacology' emerged as hotspots. The development of modern science, technology, and in-depth research can result in broader prospects for the research and application of TCM in breast cancer treatment, resulting in more effective solutions for the treatment of breast cancer and other malignant tumors.

Role of Branched and Aromatic Amino Acids, Diet Inflammatory Index, and Anthropometric Indices on Mental Health

Background

Mental health disorders are one of the most important and increasing health problems in the youth of today's societies. Some dietary intake and body mass status are factors that affect mental health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) and anthropometric and dietary inflammatory indices with mental health, including depression, anxiety, and stress.

Methods

In this case-control study, the data of 138 teenage girls aged 13-18 years were collected. Three-day 24-hour food recall and standard anthropometric methods were used to calculate the dietary inflammation intake score of normal and energy-adjusted diets. Mental health disorders were diagnosed by the DASS-21 questionnaire. Statistical analysis used Student's t-test, correlation, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data based on the study's statistical requirements.

Results

Based on the findings, 59 (42%) of the girls had mental disorders, and 79 (58%) were healthy. The average weight of stressed people was significantly higher than that of healthy people, and the BMI of anxious people was significantly higher than that of nonanxious people (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between stress and weight and energy intake. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between BCAAs and mental health. The average intake of BCAAs was significantly lower in patients (P = 0.01). The trend analysis showed significantly lower BCAA levels among the 4th quartile of mental disorders. No significant relationship was observed between DII, AAA, and anthropometric indices. After adjustment of the results, no relationship was observed between mental health and the studied factors.

Conclusions

BCAA might be related to mental health. Further studies in different age and sex groups are highly recommended.

Radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for radioiodine resistance

Radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) is difficult to treat with radioactive iodine because of the absence of the sodium iodide transporter in the basement membrane of thyroid follicular cells for iodine uptake. This is usually due to the mutation or rearrangement of genes and the aberrant activation of signal pathways, which result in abnormal expression of thyroid-specific genes, leading to resistance of differentiated thyroid cancer cells to radioiodine therapy. Therefore, inhibiting the proliferation and growth of RAIR-DTC with multikinase inhibitors and other drugs or restoring its differentiation and then carrying out radioiodine therapy have become the first-line treatment strategies and main research directions. The drugs that regulate these kinases or signaling pathways have been studied in clinical and preclinical settings. In this review, we summarized the major gene mutations, gene rearrangements and abnormal activation of signaling pathways that led to radioiodine resistance of RAIR-DTC, as well as the medicine that have been tested in clinical and preclinical trials.

Thermal Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Bioactive Compounds in Bread Enriched with Bee Pollen and Bee Bread

Bee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB) are natural food sources containing a wide variety of bioactive compounds, complementing their rich nutritional composition. These bee products are being explored to empower functional foods, with the term functionality being dependent on the bioactive compounds added to the food matrix. However, there is not enough evidence of the effect of heat on these compounds during food processing and production and how it impacts their biological activity. Here, we enriched traditional bread by adding BP and BB at different proportions of 1 to 5% and tested the thermal stability of their bioactive compounds through several spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses. Adding bee pollen and bee bread to bread resulted in a 4 and 5-fold increase in total phenolic content, respectively. While not all the 38 phenolic and phenolamide compounds identified in the raw BP and BB were detected in the processed bread, phenolamides were found to be more resilient to baking and heat treatment than flavonoids. Still, the enriched bread's antioxidant activity improved with the addition of BP and BB. Therefore, incorporating bee products into heat-treated products could enhance the functionality of staple foods and increase the accessibility to these natural products.

Synthesis, anti-angiogenic activity and prediction toxicity of (E)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl) propenoic acid

Background: Anti-angiogenic medications, one of cancer chemo preventive mechanism were permitted for different cancers. Nevertheless, major primary and secondary resistance obstruct efficacy in several tumor types. Moreover, the improvement of safe and effective NSAIDs for angiogenesis inhibition is complicated, because of their serious toxicity. So, we require improving clinically appropriate strategies to boost efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs with low risk of toxicity. Objectives: The present study aimed to synthesize the (E)-3- (3-methoxyphenyl)propenoic acid (3MPCA), to determine the anti-angiogenic activity and predict its toxicity. Methods: 3MPCA was obtained by Knoevenagel reaction using microwave irradiation at 400 Watt. The anti-angiogenesis experimental was performed using chorioallantois membrane of embryonated chicken eggs induced by b-FGF. The potency of 3MPCA was verified at dosage 30 and 60 ng and compared with celecoxib 60 ng. Toxicity prediction of 3MPCA was performed by ProTox II online program. Results: The results showed that 3MPCA was achieved in good yield (89%). Anti angogenic activity was showed by endothelial cells growth in neovascular capillaries of new blood vessel of chorioallantois membrane of embryonated chicken eggs. The endothelial cells growth decreased until 41.7-83%. The prediction LD50 was 1772mg/kg. Conclusion: (E)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)propenoic acid can be obtained through Knovenagel reaction using microwave irradiation and it has potential as anti-angiogenesis inhibitor with low toxicity.

Targeting the Cancer Stem Cells in Endocrine Cancers with Phytochemicals

Endocrine cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the hormone-producing glands. Endocrine cancers include the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary, and ovary malignancy. Recently, there is an increase in the incidence of the most common endocrine cancer types, namely pancreatic and thyroid cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) of endocrine tumors have received more attention due to their role in cancer progression, therapeutic resistance, and cancer relapse. Phytochemicals provide several health benefits and are effective in the treatment of various diseases including cancer. Therefore, finding the natural phytochemicals that target the CSCs will help to improve cancer patients' prognosis and life expectancy. Phytochemicals have been shown to have anticancer properties and are very effective in treating various cancer types. Curcumin is a common polyphenol found in turmeric, which has been shown to promote cellular drug accumulation and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Moreover, various other phytochemicals such as resveratrol, genistein, and apigenin are effective against different endocrine cancers by regulating the CSCs. Thus, phytochemicals have emerged as chemotherapeutics that may have significance in preventing and treating the endocrine cancers.

Two kinds of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions reduce thymic inflammation levels and improve humoral immunity of finishing pigs

In animal husbandry, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a reasonable alternative to antibiotics has attracted more and more concerns to reduce microbial resistance. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with TCM prescriptions on serum parameters and thymus inflammation responses in finishing pigs. Thirty finishing pigs were randomly divided into three groups, which included the Con group (basal diet), the TCM1 group (basal diet supplemented with Xiao Jian Zhong prescriptions), and the TCM2 group (basal diet supplemented with Jingsananli-sepsis). The results showed that the contents of C3 and C4 in the serum were significantly increased in both the TCM1 and TCM2 groups compared to the Con group on day 30. Similarly, the levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM were increased in the TCM2 group, and only the level of IgM in TCM1 was increased on day 30. Meanwhile, the levels of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies had a notable increase in the TCM1 and TCM2 groups. Both TCM1 and TCM2 inhibited the levels of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway-related mRNA (TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL6, IL8, and TNF-α) and protein (p-IκBα and p-P65) expression levels in the thymus. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with TCM could reduce thymic inflammation levels and improve humoral immunity of finishing pigs.

Anticancer effects of natural phytochemicals in anaplastic thyroid cancer (Review)

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy having a dismal prognosis. Phytochemicals are bioactive components obtained from plants that have been proven useful to treat numerous diseases. Phytochemicals are also an important source of novel anticancer drugs and an important area of research due to the numerous available candidates that can potentially treat cancers. This review discusses naturally occurring phytochemicals and their derivatives that show promising anticancer effects in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Anticancer effects include cell growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, promoting cell cycle arrest, suppressing angiogenesis, modulating autophagy, and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Phytochemicals are not only prospective candidates in the therapy of anaplastic thyroid cancer but also exhibit potential as adjuvants to improve the anticancer effects of other drugs. Although some phytochemicals have excellent anticancer properties, drug resistance observed during the use of resveratrol and artemisinin in different anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines is still a problem. Anaplastic thyroid cancer cells have several biological, clinical, and drug-resistance features that differ from differentiated thyroid cancer cells. Phytochemicals such as resveratrol and quercetin exhibit different biological effects in anaplastic thyroid cancer and differentiated thyroid cancer. Tumor cells depend on increased aerobic glycolysis by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to provide energy for their rapid growth, invasiveness, and drug resistance. Phytochemicals can alter signaling cascades, modulate the metabolic properties of cancer cells, and influence the mitochondrial membrane potential of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. These findings enrich our knowledge of the anticancer effects of phytochemicals and highlight alternative therapies to prevent drug resistance in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Fuzheng Yiqi Kang-Ai Decoction Combined with External Irradiation in the Treatment of Undifferentiated Thyroid Carcinoma and Its Influence on Antiangiogenesis

Objective

To explore the efficacy and safety of Fuzheng Yiqi Kang-ai (FZYQKA for short) decoction with external irradiation in the treatment of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (UTC) and its influence on antiangiogenesis. Methods. In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 120 patients with UTC admitted to Zibo Central Hospital (February 2019-February 2020) were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were equally divided into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG) according to the order of admission. All patients received external irradiation, and the EG received FZYQKA decoction additionally. FZYQKA decoction was taken orally 1 dose daily in 3 times with a total of 100 ml, for a total of 2 months. Short-term efficacy, incidence of acute radiotoxic responses, levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), indexes of immune function, and level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were compared between both groups.

Results

Compared with the CG, the disease control rate of the EG was obviously higher (73.3% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.001). The acute radiotoxic responses of the two groups were mainly grade I-II oral mucositis, radiodermatitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, and myelosuppression, and only three patients (5.0%) had grade III-IV toxic reactions. Compared with the CG, the incidence of grade I-II oral mucositis, radiodermatitis, pharyngitis, and esophagitis in the EG was obviously lower (P < 0.05). After treatment, compared with the CG, levels of MMPs and VEGF of the EG were obviously lower (P < 0.001). After treatment, compared with the CG, indexes of immune function of the EG were obviously higher (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

For patients with UTC, FZYQKA decoction combined with external irradiation can exert the antiangiogenesis effect, reduce levels of MMPs, and optimize the short-term efficacy. The safe treatment method has mild toxic and side effects, which should be popularized in practice.

Targeting Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response in Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapeutic Perspectives of Phytochemicals

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), known as mechanical damage to the brain, impairs the normal function of the brain seriously. Its clinical symptoms manifest as behavioral impairment, cognitive decline, communication difficulties, etc. The pathophysiological mechanisms of TBI are complex and involve inflammatory response, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and so on. Among them, oxidative stress, one of the important mechanisms, occurs at the beginning and accompanies the whole process of TBI. Most importantly, excessive oxidative stress causes BBB disruption and brings injury to lipids, proteins, and DNA, leading to the generation of lipid peroxidation, damage of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, neuronal apoptosis, and neuroinflammatory response. Transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), a basic leucine zipper protein, plays an important role in the regulation of antioxidant proteins, such as oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), to protect against oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis. Recently, emerging evidence indicated the knockout (KO) of Nrf2 aggravates the pathology of TBI, while the treatment of Nrf2 activators inhibits neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammatory responses via reducing oxidative damage. Phytochemicals from fruits, vegetables, grains, and other medical herbs have been demonstrated to activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway and exert neuroprotective effects in TBI. In this review, we emphasized the contributive role of oxidative stress in the pathology of TBI and the protective mechanism of the Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response for the treatment of TBI. In addition, we summarized the research advances of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenoids, natural pigments, and otherwise, in the activation of Nrf2 signaling and their potential therapies for TBI. Although there is still limited clinical application evidence for these natural Nrf2 activators, we believe that the combinational use of phytochemicals such as Nrf2 activators with gene and stem cell therapy will be a promising therapeutic strategy for TBI in the future.

Effects of Annurca Flesh Apple Polyphenols in Human Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines

Among natural macromolecules, the polyphenol extract from Annurca flesh (AFPE) apple could play a potential therapeutic role for a large spectrum of human cancer also by exerting antioxidant properties. Thyroid cancer is a common neoplasia in women, and it is in general responsive to treatments although patients may relapse and metastasize or therapy-related side effects could occur. In this study, we explored the effects of AFPE on papillary (TPC-1) and anaplastic (CAL62) thyroid cancer cell line proliferation and viability. We found that AFPE exposure induced a reduction of cell proliferation and cell viability in dose-dependent manner. The effect was associated with the reduction of phosphorylation of Rb protein. To study the mechanisms underlying the biological effects of AFPE treatment in thyroid cancer cells, we investigated the modulation of miRNA (miR) expression. We found that AFPE treatment increased the expression of the miR-141, miR-145, miR-200a-5p, miR-425, and miR-551b-5p. Additionally, since natural polyphenols could exert their beneficial effects through the antioxidant properties, we investigated this aspect, and we found that AFPE treatment reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CAL62 cells. Moreover, AFPE pretreatment protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in thyroid cancer cell lines. Taken together, our findings suggest that AFPE, by acting at micromolar concentration in thyroid cancer cell lines, may be considered a promising adjuvant natural agent for thyroid cancer treatment approach.

Establishment and validation of a nomogram model for predicting the survival probability of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients: a comparison with the eighth edition AJCC cancer staging system

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a clinically predictive nomogram model to predict the survival probability of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients and compare the value of this model with that of the eighth edition AJCC cancer staging system.

METHODS

We selected 59,876 differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 from the SEER database and separated those patients into a training set (70%) and a validation set (30%) randomly. We used Cox regression analysis to build the nomogram model (model 1) and the eighth edition AJCC cancer staging model (model 2). Then we compared the predictive accuracy, discrimination, and clinical usage of both models by calculating AUC (Area under the curve), C-index, as well as analyzing DCA (Decision Curve Analysis) performance respectively.

RESULTS

AUCs of all predicted time points (12-month, 36-month, 60-month, and 120-month) of model 1 were 0.933, 0.913, 0.879, and 0.868 for the training set; 0.933, 0.926, 0.916, and 0.894 for the validation set. As for model 2, data were 0.938, 0.906, 0.866, and 0.847 for the training set; 0.924, 0.925, 0.912, and 0.867 for the validation set. C-indices of model 1 were higher than those of model 2 (0.923 vs. 0.918 for the training set, 0.938 vs. 0.930 for the validation set). DCA comparison showed that the net benefit of model 1 was bigger when comparing with that of model 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Model 1 provided with both better predictive accuracy and clinical usage compared with those of model 2 and might be able to predict the survival probability of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients visually and accurately with a higher net benefit.

Dietary phytoestrogen intake and lung cancer risk: an analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial

Phytoestrogens (PEs) have estrogen-like activity and were found to lower incidences of several hormone-dependent cancers. Emerging evidence suggests that estrogen may play a role in lung cancer carcinogenesis. We aim to evaluate dietary PE intake and lung cancer risk using data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian cancer screening trial. A total of 1,706 lung cancer cases were identified. The association between lung cancer risk and PE intake (in quartiles) was calculated using the Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for potential confounders. Stratified analyses by smoking status, sex, and histology were also performed. The highest quartile of total PE intake was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer compared to the lowest quartile (HR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.73-0.99 for > 1,030 μg/day vs < 290 μg/day) (P trend=0.56). Similar patterns were observed among ever smokers (HR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.71-0.98), non-small cell histology (HR=0.84, 95CI: 0.72-0.99), male (HR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.69-1.03) and female (HR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.64-0.99 for 510-1,030 μg/day, HR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.67-1.06 for > 1,030 μg/day vs < 290 μg/day) subjects with no significant linear trend observed. Despite a lower consumption compared to the Asian population, increased PE intake still appears to decrease lung cancer risk in a Caucasian-dominant population. Future studies are needed to replicate these results in independent cohorts and shed a light on the potential mechanism of the protective effect of PEs on lung carcinogenesis and the interaction between PEs, smoking, and endogenous estrogens.

Effects of Dihydrotanshinone I on Proliferation and Invasiveness of Paclitaxel-Resistant Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells

ATC is a very rare, but extremely aggressive form of thyroid malignancy, responsible for the highest mortality rate registered for thyroid cancer. In patients without known genetic aberrations, the current treatment is still represented by palliative surgery and systemic mono- or combined chemotherapy, which is often not fully effective for the appearance of drug resistance. Comprehension of the mechanisms involved in the development of the resistance is therefore an urgent issue to suggest novel therapeutic approaches for this very aggressive malignancy. In this study, we created a model of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells resistant to paclitaxel and investigated the characteristics of these cells by analyzing the profile of gene expression and comparing it with that of paclitaxel-sensitive original ATC cell lines. In addition, we evaluated the effects of Dihydrotanshinone I (DHT) on the viability and invasiveness of paclitaxel-resistant cells. ATC paclitaxel-resistant cells highlighted an overexpression of ABCB1 and a hyper-activation of the NF-κB compared to sensitive cells. DHT treatment resulted in a reduction of viability and clonogenic ability of resistant cells. Moreover, DHT induces a decrement of NF-κB activity in SW1736-PTX and 8505C-PTX cells. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the results of the present study are the first to demonstrate the antitumor effects of DHT on ATC cells resistant to Paclitaxel in vitro.

Dihydrotanshinone exerts antitumor effects and improves the effects of cisplatin in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer and is responsible for 20‑50% of thyroid cancer‑associated deaths. The absence of response to conventional treatments makes the search for novel therapeutics a clinical challenge. In the present study, the effects of 15,16‑dihydrotanshinone I (DHT), a tanshinone extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), which has previously been shown to possess anticancer activity, were examined in two human ATC cell lines. DHT significantly reduced cell viability, which was coupled with an increase in apoptosis. DHT administration also reduced the colony‑forming ability and proliferation of these cells in soft agar and downregulated the expression of epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition‑related genes. In addition, DHT significantly reduced MAD2 expression, a target of HuR with a relevant role in ATC. Finally, cotreatment with cisplatin and DHT has a greater effect on cell viability than each compound alone. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that DHT exerts antitumor effects on ATC cells by reducing MAD2 expression levels. Moreover, a synergistic effect of DHT with cisplatin was shown. Further in vivo studies are required to assess this phytochemical compound as a potential adjuvant for the treatment of ATC.

Phytochemicals in thyroid cancer: analysis of the preclinical studies

PURPOSE

In the search for novel effective compounds to use in thyroid cancer (TC) unresponsive to current treatment, attention has recently focused on plant-derived compounds with anticancer activity. In this review, we discuss the preclinical studies demonstrating phytochemical activity against thyroid cancer cells.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

In particular, we describe their antiproliferative properties or ability to re-induce iodine retention, thus supporting their potential use as single agents or adjuvants in radioiodine-resistant thyroid cancer treatment.

Therapeutic Attributes of Endocannabinoid System against Neuro-Inflammatory Autoimmune Disorders

In humans, various sites like cannabinoid receptors (CBR) having a binding affinity with cannabinoids are distributed on the surface of different cell types, where endocannabinoids (ECs) and derivatives of fatty acid can bind. The binding of these substance(s) triggers the activation of specific receptors required for various physiological functions, including pain sensation, memory, and appetite. The ECs and CBR perform multiple functions via the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1); cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), having a key effect in restraining neurotransmitters and the arrangement of cytokines. The role of cannabinoids in the immune system is illustrated because of their immunosuppressive characteristics. These characteristics include inhibition of leucocyte proliferation, T cells apoptosis, and induction of macrophages along with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. The review seeks to discuss the functional relationship between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and anti-tumor characteristics of cannabinoids in various cancers. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for cancer-both in vivo and in vitro clinical trials-has also been highlighted and reported to be effective in mice models in arthritis for the inflammation reduction, neuropathic pain, positive effect in multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes mellitus, and found beneficial for treating in various cancers. In human models, such studies are limited; thereby, further research is indispensable in this field to get a conclusive outcome. Therefore, in autoimmune disorders, therapeutic cannabinoids can serve as promising immunosuppressive and anti-fibrotic agents.

Diet as a possible influencing factor in thyroid cancer incidence: the point of view of the nutritionist

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer has increased in the last decades all over the world. Different environmental factors are possible perpetrators of this exponential growth. Nutritional factors are among the main environmental factors studied for thyroid cancer in recent years. This review aims to overview the main dietary factors involved in thyroid cancer risk, providing specific nutrition recommendations from the endocrinological Nutritionist point of view. Among the single food, fish and shellfish are the primary natural source of iodine, selenium and vitamin D in the human diet. These nutrients are essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones; however, their consumption is not consistently related to thyroid cancer risk. The high intake of fruit and vegetables, probably due to their vitamin and antioxidant content, shows a weak inverse association with thyroid cancer risk. Alcohol, meat, or other food groups/nutrients showed no significant effect on thyroid cancer. In conclusion, to date, no definite association among dietary factors, specific dietary patterns, and thyroid cancer, and its clinical severity and aggressiveness have been found. However, it is essential to underline that in the future, prospective studies should be carried out to precisely evaluate the qualitative and quantitative intake of nutrients by patients to establish with more confidence a potential correlation between food intake and the occurrence and development of thyroid cancer.

Blood polyphenol concentrations and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in women from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

BACKGROUND

Polyphenols are natural compounds with anticarcinogenic properties in cellular and animal models, but epidemiological evidence determining the associations of these compounds with thyroid cancer (TC) is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between blood concentrations of 36 polyphenols and TC risk in EPIC (the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition).

METHODS

A nested case-control study was conducted on 273 female cases (210 papillary, 45 follicular, and 18 not otherwise specified TC tumors) and 512 strictly matched controls. Blood polyphenol concentrations were analyzed by HPLC coupled to tandem MS after enzymatic hydrolysis.

RESULTS

Using multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression models, caffeic acid (ORlog2: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.93) and its dehydrogenated metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (ORlog2: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.99), were inversely associated with differentiated TC risk. Similar results were observed for papillary TC, but not for follicular TC. Ferulic acid was also inversely associated only with papillary TC (ORlog2: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.91). However, none of these relations was significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. No association was observed for any of the remaining polyphenols with total differentiated, papillary, or follicular TC.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood polyphenol concentrations were mostly not associated with differentiated TC risk in women, although our study raises the possibility that high blood concentrations of caffeic, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic, and ferulic acids may be related to a lower papillary TC risk.

Resveratrol and its Nanoparticle suppress Doxorubicin/Docetaxel-resistant anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells in vitro and in vivo

Background: Docetaxel and doxorubicin combination has been widely used in anaplastic thyroid cancer/ATC treatment but often results in serious adverse effects and drug resistance. Resveratrol effectively inhibits ATC cell proliferation in vitro without affecting the corresponding normal cells, while its in vivo anti-ATC effects especially on the ones with docetaxel/doxorubicin-resistance have not been reported due to its low bioavailability. Nanoparticles with sustained-release and cancer-targeting features may overcome this therapeutic bottleneck. Methods: The resveratrol nanoparticles with sustained-release and IL-13Rα2-targeting capacities (Pep-1-PEG3.5k-PCL4k@Res) were prepared to improve the in vivo resveratrol bioavailability. Human THJ-16T ATC cell line was employed to establish nude mice subcutaneous transplantation model. The tumor-bearing mice were divided into four groups as Group-1, without treatment, Group-2, treated by 30 mg/kg free resveratrol, Group-3, treated by 30 mg/kg Pep-1-PEG3.5k-PCL4k@Res and Group-4, treated by 5 mg/kg docetaxel/5 mg/kg doxorubicin combination. TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptotic cells in the tumor tissues. Docetaxel/doxorubicin resistant xenografts named as THJ-16T/R were isolated and subjected to 2D and 3D culture. The docetaxel/doxorubicin and resveratrol sensitivities of the original THJ-16T and THJ-16T/R cells were analyzed by multiple methods. Results: Docetaxel/doxorubicin and Pep-1-PEG3.5k-PCL4k@Res but not free resveratrol significantly delayed tumor growth (P < 0.01) and caused extensive apoptosis. The mice in docetaxel/doxorubicin-treated group suffered from weight loss (> 10%) and 2/3 of them died within 3 times of treatment and the chemotherapy was stop to avoid further animal loss. One week after drug withdrawal, the subcutaneous tumors regrew and the tumor volume increased 55.28% within 14 days. The cells isolated from the regrowing tumors (THJ-16T/R) were successfully cultured under 2D and 3D condition and underwent drug treatments. Compared with THJ-16T, the death rate of docetaxel/doxorubicin-treated THJ-16T/R population was lower (39.3% vs 18.0%), which remained almost unchanged in resveratrol-treated group (45.3% vs 49.3%). Conclusion: Resveratrol sustained-release targeting nanoparticles effectively inhibit in vivo ATC growth. Docetaxel/doxorubicin suppresses ATC xenografts but causes obvious side effects and secondary drug resistance that can be overcome by resveratrol.

MiR-28-5p mediates the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of curcumin on human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of curcumin on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells and explore the mechanism.

METHODS

OCI-LY7 cells were treated with curcumin (2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μM) for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, respectively. MiR-28-5p expression was detected via qRT-PCR. The binding site of miR-28-5p was predicted using online databases and verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. MiR-28-5p overexpression and inhibition were achieved via transfection with an miR-28-5p mimic and inhibitor, respectively.

RESULTS

Curcumin decreased the viability of OCI-LY7 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and these effects were attenuated by miR-28-5p inhibition. MiR-28-5p expression was upregulated by curcumin. Curcumin increased the numbers of apoptotic cells and upregulated cleaved caspase-3 expression, and these effects were attenuated by miR-28-5p inhibition. The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-28-5p directly targets the 3'-untranslated region of BECN1. Curcumin downregulated BECN1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta-II/I expression and upregulated p62 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results described the curcumin exerted anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on OCI-LY7 cells through a mechanism potentially involving miR-28-5p.

Plant natural products with anti-thyroid cancer activity

Thyroid cancer is the most frequent endocrine malignancy, with more than 500,000 cases per year worldwide. Differentiated thyroid cancers are the most common forms with best prognosis, while poorly/undifferentiated ones are rare (2% of all thyroid cancer), aggressive, frequently metastasize and have a worse prognosis. For aggressive, metastatic and advanced thyroid cancer novel antitumor molecules are urgently needed and phytochemical products can be a rational and extensive source, since secondary plant metabolites can guarantee the necessary biochemical variability for therapeutic purpose. Among bioactive molecules that present biological activity on thyroid cancer, resveratrol, curcumin, isoflavones, glucosinolates are the most common and used in experimental model. Most of them have been studied both in vitro and in vivo on this cancer, but rarely in clinical trial. This review summarizes phytochemicals, phytotherapeutics and plant derived compounds used in thyroid cancer.

Pro-Arrhythmic Signaling of Thyroid Hormones and Its Relevance in Subclinical Hyperthyroidism

A perennial task is to prevent the occurrence and/or recurrence of most frequent or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF may be lethal in cases without an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or with failure of this device. Incidences of AF, even the asymptomatic ones, jeopardize the patient's life due to its complication, notably the high risk of embolic stroke. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in subclinical AF screening and searching for novel electrophysiological and molecular markers. Considering the worldwide increase in cases of thyroid dysfunction and diseases, including thyroid carcinoma, we aimed to explore the implication of thyroid hormones in pro-arrhythmic signaling in the pathophysiological setting. The present review provides updated information about the impact of altered thyroid status on both the occurrence and recurrence of cardiac arrhythmias, predominantly AF. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of both thyroid status monitoring and AF screening in the general population, as well as in patients with thyroid dysfunction and malignancies. Real-world data on early AF identification in relation to thyroid function are scarce. Even though symptomatic AF is rare in patients with thyroid malignancies, who are under thyroid suppressive therapy, clinicians should be aware of potential interaction with asymptomatic AF. It may prevent adverse consequences and improve the quality of life. This issue may be challenging for an updated registry of AF in clinical practice. Thyroid hormones should be considered a biomarker for cardiac arrhythmias screening and their tailored management because of their multifaceted cellular actions.

Herbal Active Ingredients: An Emerging Potential for the Prevention and Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of differentiated thyroid cancers in Asian coastal cities, where the patients have increased risk of potentially high or excessive iodine intake. Given the high metastasis and recurrence of patients with BRAF^V600E mutation, the mortality rate of thyroid cancer has recently shown an upward trend. A variety of therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have been used to treat thyroid cancer, but these therapies still have limitations, including postoperative complications, drug resistance, poor efficacy, or serious side effects. Recent studies have shown the potential of active ingredients derived from herbal medicine in inhibiting PTC via various cell signaling pathways. Some plant-derived compounds, such as apigenin, genistein, and curcumin, are also known to prevent and treat PTC. This article summarizes the recent advances in the structure-functional impact of anti-PTC active ingredients and their effects on PTC cells and tumor microenvironments with an emphasis on their challenges from basic research to clinical practice.

Nutritional status and follicular-derived thyroid cancer: An update

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer has been increasing in the last decades all over the world. Such a steady growth cannot be entirely attributable to more intensive thyroid nodule screening and more sensitive diagnostic procedures. Several environmental factors have changed with sufficient rapidity in the same time frame and may represent credible candidates for this increase. They include modified iodine intake, lifestyle-associated risk factors, exposure to various toxic compounds, pollutants and xenobiotics, nutritional deficiencies, eating habits and comorbidities. Foremost, nutritional patterns have gained high interest as possible promoters and modifiable risk factors for thyroid cancer in recent years. The aim of this narrative review is to focus on the relationship between thyroid cancer and nutritional factors, dietary habits and obesity. Low iodine intake has been associated to increased risk of thyroid cancer, favoring the development of more aggressive histotypes. Moreover, correction of iodine deficiency can shift thyroid cancer subtypes toward less aggressive forms, without affecting the overall risk for cancer. Actually, evidence regarding the association between selenium and vitamin D deficiency and thyroid cancer is very limited, despite their well-known anti-cancer potentials, and the clinical usefulness of their supplementation is still uncertain in this setting. Albeit the relationship between single foods and thyroid cancer is difficult to examine, fish and iodine-rich foods, vegetables, and fruits might exert protective effects on thyroid cancer risk. Conversely, no clear association has been found for other foods to date. Lastly, a clear association between obesity and the risk of thyroid cancer, with more aggressive behavior, seems to emerge from most studies, likely involving variations in thyroid function and chronic inflammation mediated by cytokines, insulin, leptin and adiponectins. Although no definite association between dietary factors and thyroid cancer has been firmly established so far, some nutritional patterns, together with excessive weight, seem to play a relevant role in thyroid cancer carcinogenesis as well as in its severity and aggressiveness. These effects may play an additive role to the well-established one exerted by environmental carcinogens, such as pollutants and radiation exposure.

LncRNA LINC00460 promotes the papillary thyroid cancer progression by regulating the LINC00460/miR-485-5p/Raf1 axis

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common malignancy of all thyroid cancers. LncRNA LINC00460 has been proved to play roles in the oncogenesis and progression of various tumors, including papillary thyroid cancer. However, the potential molecular mechanism of LINC00460 in PTC is poorly investigated.

Results

LINC00460 was upregulated in PTC tissues and cells. Raf1 was upregulated in PTC tissues, but miR-485-5p was down-regulated. High LINC00460 expression was associated with poor prognosis. LINC00460 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, invation and EMT of PTC cells. Bioinformatics prediction revealed that LINC00460 had binding sites with miR-485-5p, which was validated by luciferase reporter assay. In addition, miR-485-5p was confirmed to directly target Raf1 3′-UTR. Moreover, LINC00460 promoted PTC progression by sponging miR-485-5p to elevate the expression of Raf1. Knockdown of LINC00460 restrained tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

LINC00460 induced proliferation, migration, invation and EMT of PTC cells by regulating the LINC00460/miR-485-5p/Raf1 axis, which indicated that LINC00460 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PTC.

Progress in Research on the Role of Flavonoids in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Therefore, for the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer, efficient preventive strategies and new therapeutic strategies are needed to face these challenges. Natural bioactive compounds and particular flavonoids compounds have been proven to have an important role in lung cancer prevention and of particular interest is the dose used for these studies, to underline the molecular effects and mechanisms at a physiological concentration. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding relevant molecular mechanisms involved in the pharmacological effects, with a special focus on the anti-cancer role, by regulating the coding and non-coding genes. Furthermore, this review focused on the most commonly altered and most clinically relevant oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and microRNAs in lung cancer. Particular attention was given to the biological effect in tandem with conventional therapy, emphasizing the role in the regulation of drug resistance related mechanisms.

Leveraging the Cardio-Protective and Anticancer Properties of Resveratrol in Cardio-Oncology

Cardio-oncology is a clinical/scientific discipline which aims to prevent and/or treat cardiovascular diseases in cancer patients. Although a large number of cancer treatments are known to cause cardiovascular toxicity, they are still widely used because they are highly effective. Unfortunately, therapeutic interventions to prevent and/or treat cancer treatment-induced cardiovascular toxicity have not been established yet. A major challenge for such interventions is to protect the cardiovascular system without compromising the therapeutic benefit of anticancer medications. Intriguingly, the polyphenolic natural compound resveratrol and its analogs have been shown in preclinical studies to protect against cancer treatment-induced cardiovascular toxicity. They have also been shown to possess significant anticancer properties on their own, and to enhance the anticancer effect of other cancer treatments. Thus, they hold significant promise to protect the cardiovascular system and fight the cancer at the same time. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge regarding the cardio-protective and the anticancer properties of resveratrol and its analogs. Thereafter, we will discuss the challenges that face the clinical application of these agents. To conclude, we will highlight important gaps of knowledge and future research directions to accelerate the translation of these exciting preclinical findings to cancer patient care.