Parthenolide as Cooperating Agent for Anti-Cancer Treatment of Various Malignancies

Identification of a histone deacetylase inhibitor as a therapeutic candidate for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), a rare genetic disease caused by heterozygous PHOX2B mutations, is characterized by life-threatening breathing deficiencies. PHOX2B is a transcription factor required for the specification of the autonomic nervous system, which contains, in particular, brainstem respiratory centers. In CCHS, PHOX2B mutations lead to cytoplasmic PHOX2B protein aggregations, thus compromising its transcriptional capability. Currently, the only available treatment for CCHS is assisted mechanical ventilation. Therefore, identifying molecules with alleviating effects on CCHS-related breathing impairments is of primary importance. A transcriptomic analysis of cells transfected with different PHOX2B constructs was used to identify compounds of interest with the CMap tool. Using fluorescence microscopy and luciferase assay, the selected molecules were further tested in vitro for their ability to restore the nuclear location and function of PHOX2B. Finally, an electrophysiological approach was used to investigate ex vivo the effects of the most promising molecule on respiratory activities of PHOX2B-mutant mouse isolated brainstem. The histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA was found to have low toxicity in vitro, to restore the proper location and function of PHOX2B protein, and to improve respiratory rhythm-related parameters ex vivo. Thus, our results identify SAHA as a promising agent to treat CCHS-associated breathing deficiencies.

Natural Products and Altered Metabolism in Cancer: Therapeutic Targets and Mechanisms of Action

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and the dysregulation of numerous biological functions, including metabolism. Because of the potential implications of targeted therapies, the metabolic alterations seen in cancer cells, such as the Warburg effect and disruptions in lipid and amino acid metabolism, have gained attention in cancer research. In this review, we delve into recent research examining the influence of natural products on altered cancer metabolism. Natural products were selected based on their ability to target cancer's altered metabolism. We identified the targets and explored the mechanisms of action of these natural products in influencing cellular energetics. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid ground for researchers to consider natural products in cancer treatment alone and in combination with conventional anticancer therapies.

Combining chemical profiles and biological abilities of different extracts from Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson using network pharmacology

Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson is an aromatic perennial herb used in Turkish traditional medicine to treat headache, fever, and skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic properties of T. nitens aerial parts. Organic solvent extracts were prepared by sequential maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol while aqueous extracts were obtained by maceration or infusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC-DAD-MS analysis allowed the identification and quantification of different phytoconstituents including parthenolide, tanacetol B, tatridin B, quinic acid derivatives, β-sitosterol, and glycoside derivatives of quercetin and luteolin. The type and amount of these phytochemicals recovered by each solvent were variable and significant enough to impact the biological activities of the plant. Methanolic and aqueous extracts displayed the highest scavenging and ions-reducing properties while the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exerted the best total antioxidant activity and metal chelating power. Results of enzyme inhibition activity showed that the hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts had comparable anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and the latter extract revealed the highest anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. The best α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities were obtained from the hexane extract. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect against the prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that T. nitens can be a promising source of biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications.

Nano-Formulations of Natural Antioxidants for the Treatment of Liver Cancer

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathological processes that trigger various chronic liver diseases, and significantly contributes to the development of hepatocarcinogenesis. Natural antioxidants reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and play a crucial role in the treatment of free-radical-induced liver diseases. However, their efficacy is often limited by poor bioavailability and metabolic stability. To address these limitations, recent advances have focused on developing nano-drug delivery systems that protect them from degradation and enhance their therapeutic potential. Among the several critical benefits, they showed to be able to improve bioavailability and targeted delivery, thereby reducing off-target effects by specifically directing the antioxidant to the liver tumor site. Moreover, these nanosystems led to sustained release, prolonging the therapeutic effect over time. Some of them also exhibited synergistic effects when combined with other therapeutic agents, allowing for improved overall efficacy. This review aims to discuss recent scientific advances in nano-formulations containing natural antioxidant molecules, highlighting their potential as promising therapeutic approaches for the treatment of liver cancer. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive focus on the latest developments in nano-formulations of natural antioxidants for the treatment of liver cancer.

The anticancer impact of folate-linked ZnO-decorated bovine serum albumin/silibinin nanoparticles on human pancreatic, breast, lung, and colon cancers

In the current study, we aimed to design an individual hybrid silibinin nano-delivery system consisting of ZnO and BSA components to study its antioxidant activity and apoptotic potential on human pancreatic, breast, lung, and colon cancer cell lines. The folate-linked ZnO-decorated bovine serum albumin/silibinin nanoparticles (FZBS-NP) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, FESEM, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. The FZBS-NP's cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring the cancer cells' (MCF-7, A549, HT-29, and Panc) viability. Moreover, the apoptotic potential of the nanoparticles was studied by conducting several analyses including AO/PI and DAPI cell staining analysis, apoptotic gene expression profile (BAX, BCL2, and Caspase-8) preparation, and FITC Annexin V/PI flow cytometry. Finally, both antioxidant assays (ABTS and DPPH) were utilized to analyze the FZBS-NPs' antioxidant activities. The 152-nm FZBS-NP significantly induced the selective apoptotic death on the MCF-7, A549, HT-29, Panc, and Huvec cancer cells by increasing the SubG1 cell population following the increased treatment concentrations of FZBS-NP. Moreover, the FZBS-NPs exhibited powerful antioxidant activity. The BSA component of the FZBS-NPs delivery system improves the ability of the nanoparticles to gradually release silibinin and ZnO near the cancer cells. On the other hand, considering the powerful antioxidant activity of FZBS-NP, they have the potential to selectively induce apoptosis in human colon and breast cancer cells and protect normal types, which makes it an efficient safe anticancer compound. However, to verify the FZBS-NP anti-cancer efficiency further cancer and normal cell lines are required to measure several types of apoptotic gene expression.

Identification of a prognostic gene signature in patients with cisplatin resistant squamous cell lung cancer

Background

In the absence of targeted mutations and immune checkpoints, platinum-based chemotherapy remains a gold standard agent in the treatment of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). However, cisplatin resistance greatly limits its therapeutic efficacy and presents challenges in the treatment of lung cancer patients. Therefore, the potential clinical needs for this research focus on identifying novel molecular signatures to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in LUSC. A growing body of evidence indicates that alternative splicing (AS) events significantly influence the tumor progression and survival of patients with LUSC. However, there are few systematic analyses of AS reported in LUSC. This study aims to explore the role of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and AS in predicting prognosis in patients with cisplatin-resistant LUSC and provide potential therapeutic targets and drugs.

Methods

Gene expression and miRNA expression, using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and SpliceSeq data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis were used to construct predictive models. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to evaluate patients' prognosis. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) conducted via the R package "GSEAbase" was used to evaluate the immune-related characteristics. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine protein expression. The Connectivity Map (CMap) database was used to screen for potential drugs. The 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay was used to determine and calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the drugs, sulforaphane and parthenolide.

Results

In this study, bioinformatics were used to identify mRNAs, miRNAs, and AS events related to response to cisplatin and to establish an integrated prognostic signature for 70 patients with LUSC and cisplatin resistance. The prognostic signature served as an independent prognostic factor with high accuracy [hazard ratio (HR) =2.346, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.568-3.510; P<0.001], yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.825, 0.829, and 0.877 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival, respectively. It also demonstrated high predictive performance in this cohort of patients with LUSC, with an AUC of 0.734, 0.767, and 0.776 for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival, respectively. This integrated signature was also found to be an independent indicator among conventional clinical features (HR =2.288, 95% CI: 1.547-3.383; P<0.001). In addition, we analyzed the correlation of the signature with immune infiltration and identified several small-molecule drugs that had the potential to improve the survival of patients with LUSC.

Conclusions

This study provides a framework for the mRNA-, miRNA-, and AS-based evaluation of cisplatin response and several potential therapeutic drugs for targeting cisplatin resistance in LUSC. These findings may serve as a theoretical basis for the clinical alleviation of cisplatin resistance and thus help to improve treatment responses to chemotherapy in patients with LUSC.

Conjugates of 3,5-Bis(arylidene)-4-piperidone and Sesquiterpene Lactones Have an Antitumor Effect via Resetting the Metabolic Phenotype of Cancer Cells

In recent years, researchers have often encountered the significance of the aberrant metabolism of tumor cells in the pathogenesis of malignant neoplasms. This phenomenon, known as the Warburg effect, provides a number of advantages in the survival of neoplastic cells, and its application is considered a potential strategy in the search for antitumor agents. With the aim of developing a promising platform for designing antitumor therapeutics, we synthesized a library of conjugates of 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidone and sesquiterpene lactones. To gain insight into the determinants of the biological activity of the prepared compounds, we showed that the conjugates of 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidone and sesquiterpene lactones, which are cytotoxic agents, demonstrate selective activity toward a number of tumor cell lines with glycolysis-inhibiting ability. Moreover, the results of molecular and in silico screening allowed us to identify these compounds as potential inhibitors of the pyruvate kinase M2 oncoprotein, which is the rate-determining enzyme of glycolysis. Thus, the results of our work indicate that the synthesized conjugates of 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidone and sesquiterpene lactones can be considered a promising platform for designing selective cytotoxic agents against the glycolysis process, which opens new possibilities for researchers involved in the search for antitumor therapeutics among compounds containing piperidone platforms.

A novel nanoformulation of parthenolide coated with polydopamine shows selective cytotoxicity and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells

An anticancer agent derived from a natural product, parthenolide (PN), was studied to formulate PN into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Polydopamine (PDA) was employed to modify the surface of PN-PLGA. Following characterization, the PN-PLGA-PDA was evaluated for its in vitro release, cytotoxicity, and ability to induce apoptosis using flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR. According to the present study, PN-PLGA-PDA had a size of 195.5 nm which is acceptable for efficient enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) performance. The SEM results confirmed the size and spherical shape of the nanoparticles. The percentage of encapsulation efficiency was 96.9%. The zeta potential of PN-PLGA-PDA was - 31.8 mV which was suitable for its stability. FTIR spectra of the PN-PLGA-PDA indicated the chemical stability of the PN due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds between polymer and drug. The release of PN from PN-PLGA-PDA in PBS (pH 7.4) was only 20% during the first 48 h and less than 40% during 144 h. PN-PLGA-PDA exhibited anticancer properties in a dose-dependent manner that was more cytotoxic against cancer cells than normal cells. Moreover, real-time qPCR results indicated that the formulation activated apoptosis genes to exert its cytotoxic effect and activate the NF-kB pathway. Based on our findings, PN-PLGA-PDA could serve as a potential treatment for cancer.

Sesquiterpene Lactones Containing an α-Methylene-γ-Lactone Moiety Selectively Down-Regulate the Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 by Promoting Its Ectodomain Shedding in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells

Alantolactone is a eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactone containing an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety. Previous studies showed that alantolactone inhibits the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by targeting the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) kinase. However, in the present study, we demonstrated that alantolactone selectively down-regulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 (TNF-R1) in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Alantolactone did not affect the expression of three adaptor proteins recruited to TNF-R1. The down-regulation of TNF-R1 expression by alantolactone was suppressed by an inhibitor of TNF-α-converting enzyme. Alantolactone increased the soluble forms of TNF-R1 that were released into the culture medium as an ectodomain. The structure-activity relationship of eight eudesmane derivatives revealed that an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety was needed to promote TNF-R1 ectodomain shedding. In addition, parthenolide and costunolide, two sesquiterpene lactones with an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety, increased the amount of soluble TNF-R1. Therefore, the present results demonstrate that sesquiterpene lactones with an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety can down-regulate the expression of TNF-R1 by promoting its ectodomain shedding in A549 cells.

Psilostachyin C reduces malignant properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by blocking CREBBP-mediated transcription of GATAD2B

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Many herbal medicines and their bioactive compounds have shown anti-tumor properties. This study was conducted to examine the effect of psilostachyin C (PSC), a sesquiterpenoid lactone isolated from Artemisia vulgaris L., in the malignant properties of HCC cells. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assays revealed that 25 μM PSC treatment significantly suppressed proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of two HCC cell lines (Hep 3B and Huh7) while promoting cell apoptosis. Bioinformatics prediction suggests CREB binding protein (CREBBP) as a promising target of PSC. CREBBP activated transcription of GATA zinc finger domain containing 2B (GATAD2B) by binding to its promoter. CREBBP and GATAD2B were highly expressed in clinical HCC tissues and the acquired HCC cell lines, but their expression was reduced by PSC. Either upregulation of CREBBP or GATAD2B restored the malignant properties of HCC cells blocked by PSC. Collectively, this evidence demonstrates that PSC pocessess anti-tumor functions in HCC cells by blocking CREBBP-mediated transcription of GATAD2B.

Targeting the prostate tumor microenvironment by plant-derived natural products

Prostate cancer is among the most common malignancies for men, with limited therapy options for last stages of the tumor. There are some different options for treatment and control of prostate tumor growth. However, targeting some specific molecules and cells within tumors has been attracted interests in recent years. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has an important role in the initiation of various malignancies, which can also expand the progression of tumor and facilitate invasion of malignant cells. By regulating immune responses and distinct changes in the metabolism of cells in the tumor, TME has substantial effects in the resistance of cancer cells to therapy. TME in various solid cancers like prostate cancer includes various cells, including cancer cells, supportive stromal cells, immunosuppressive cells, and anticancer inflammatory cells. Natural products including herbal-derived agents and also other natural compounds have been well studied for their anti-tumor potentials. These compounds may modulate various signaling pathways involved in TME, such as immune responses, the metabolism of cells, epigenetics, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM). This paper provides a review of the current knowledge of prostate TME and complex interactions in this environment. Additionally, the potential use of natural products and also nanoparticles loaded with natural products as therapeutic adjuvants on different cells and therapeutic targets within prostate TME will be discussed.

Parthenolide inhibits the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells via FAK/GSK3β pathway

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the fourth most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, necessitating effective therapeutic interventions to mitigate its detrimental impact on both physical and mental health. Parthenolide (PTL), a natural product of the sesquiterpene lactone derived from Feverfew leaves, has exhibited promising anti-tumor properties in previous studies; however, its precise effects and underlying molecular mechanisms in CC remain elusive.

METHODS

In this work, we investigated the effect of PTL on the proliferation and migration of CC cells. Western blot analysis and Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used for mechanistic elucidation.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that PTL substantially inhibited the proliferation of HeLa and SiHa CC cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, PTL significantly suppressed the migration of CC cells by down-regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Mechanistically, PTL blocked the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF). Further investigations revealed that PTL suppressed the proliferation of CC cells by inhibiting the EGF-mediated phosphorylation of the FAK/GSK3β signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the present in vitro results suggest that PTL may inhibit the proliferation and migration of CC cells through down-regulating the FAK/GSK3β signaling pathway, providing new insights for the application of PTL in the treatment of CC.

Alantolactone ameliorates graft versus host disease in mice

The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs which are used in the treatment of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) have limited effects in controlling the severity of the disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of Alantolactone (ALT) in a murine model of experimental GVHD. The study included 4 BALB/c groups as hosts: Naïve (n = 7), Control GVHD (n = 16), ALT-GVHD (n = 16), and Syngeneic transplantation (n = 10). Busulfan (20 mg/kg/day) for 4 days followed by cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg/day) were administered for conditioning. Allogeneic transplantation was performed with cells collected from mismatched female C57BL/6, and GVHD development was monitored by histological and flow cytometric assays. Additionally, liver biopsies were taken from GVHD patient volunteers between ages 2-18 (n = 4) and non-GVHD patients between ages 2-50 (n = 5) and cultured ex vivo with ALT, and the supernatants were used for ELISA. ALT significantly ameliorated histopathological scores of the GVHD and improved GVHD clinical scores. CD8+ T cells were shown to be reduced after ALT treatment. More importantly, ALT treatment skewed T cells to a more naïve phenotype (CD62L+ CD44-). ALT did not alter Treg cell number or frequency. ALT treatment appears to suppress myeloid cell lineage (CD11c+). Consistent with reduced myeloid lineage, liver and small intestine levels of GM-CSF were reduced in ALT-treated mice. IL-6 gene expression was significantly reduced in the intestinal tissue. Ex vivo ALT-treated liver biopsy samples from GVHD patients showed a trend of decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines but there was no statistical significance. Collectively, the data indicated that ALT may have immunomodulatory actions in a preclinical murine GVHD model.

Parthenolide As a Therapeutic for Disseminated Canine Neoplasms

This study provides a unique translational research opportunity to help both humans and dogs diagnosed with diseases that carry dismal prognoses in both species: histiocytic sarcoma (HS), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), and disseminated mastocytosis/mast cell tumor (MCT). Although exceedingly rare in humans, these so called "orphan diseases" are relatively more common in dogs. For these and other more commonplace cancers like lymphoma (Lym), dogs are an excellent translational model for human disease due to remarkably similar disease biology. In this study, assays were performed to assess the therapeutic potential of parthenolide (PTL), a known canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling inhibitor with additional mechanisms of antineoplastic activity, including alteration of cellular reduction-oxidation balance. Canine cell lines and primary cells are sensitive to PTL and undergo dose-dependent apoptosis after exposure to drug. PTL exposure also leads to glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species generation, and NF-κB inhibition in canine cells. Standard-of-care therapeutics broadly synergize with PTL. In two canine HS cell lines, expression of NF-κB pathway signaling partners is downregulated with PTL therapy. Preliminary data suggest that PTL inhibits NF-κB activity of cells and extends survival time in a mouse model of disseminated canine HS. These data support further investigation of compounds that can antagonize canonical NF-κB pathway signaling in these cancers and pave the way for clinical trials of PTL in affected dogs. As dogs are an excellent natural disease model for these cancers, these data will ultimately improve our understanding of their human disease counterparts and hopefully improve care for both species. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Disseminated neoplasms in human and canine cancers are challenging to treat, and novel therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes. Parthenolide is a promising treatment for histiocytic sarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell neoplasia.

Terpenoid-Mediated Targeting of STAT3 Signaling in Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical Studies

Cancer has become one of the most multifaceted and widespread illnesses affecting human health, causing substantial mortality at an alarming rate. After cardiovascular problems, the condition has a high occurrence rate and ranks second in terms of mortality. The development of new drugs has been facilitated by increased research and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the emergence and advancement of the disease. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have repeatedly demonstrated the protective effects of natural terpenoids against a range of malignancies. Numerous potential bioactive terpenoids have been investigated in natural sources for their chemopreventive and chemoprotective properties. In practically all body cells, the signaling molecule referred to as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is widely expressed. Numerous studies have demonstrated that STAT3 regulates its downstream target genes, including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and survivin, to promote the growth of cells, differentiation, cell cycle progression, angiogenesis, and immune suppression in addition to chemotherapy resistance. Researchers viewed STAT3 as a primary target for cancer therapy because of its crucial involvement in cancer formation. This therapy primarily focuses on directly and indirectly preventing the expression of STAT3 in tumor cells. By explicitly targeting STAT3 in both in vitro and in vivo settings, it has been possible to explain the protective effect of terpenoids against malignant cells. In this study, we provide a complete overview of STAT3 signal transduction processes, the involvement of STAT3 in carcinogenesis, and mechanisms related to STAT3 persistent activation. The article also thoroughly summarizes the inhibition of STAT3 signaling by certain terpenoid phytochemicals, which have demonstrated strong efficacy in several preclinical cancer models.

Bioinformatics-Guided Discovery of miRNAs Involved in Apoptosis Modulated by Parthenolide Combined with Vincristine in The NALM6 Cell Line

OBJECTIVE

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a highly heterogeneous leukemia. Despite the current improvement in conventional chemotherapy and high survival rates, the outcomes remain challenging. Sesquiterpen extracted from the Tanacetum parthenium, parthenolide, is a potential anticancer agent that can modulate the expression of miRNAs and induce apoptosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parthenolide in combination with vincristine and alone on the apoptosis rate and expression of miR-125b-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-17-5p in the NALM6 cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, cell viability and metabolic activity were determined through MTT assay and PI staining. Flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the rate of apoptosis. The expression of miRNAs was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatic analyses, including Cytoscape, RNAhybrid, and signaling pathway analysis were employed to investigate the association of miR-17-5p, miR-181b-5p and miR-125b- 5p with apoptosis. Further, molecular docking served to validate the modulation of these miRNAs by parthenolide and vincristine treatment.

RESULTS

The MTT assay indicated that 7.7 μM of parthenolide decreased the metabolic activity to 50% after 48 hours. PI staining analysis indicated that at concentrations below the half maximal inhibitory concentration, parthenolide caused 50% cell death. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that parthenolide (1.925 μM) in combination with vincristine (1.2 nM) induced apoptosis in 83.2% of the cells. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) analysis showed significant changes in the expression levels of miR-17-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-181b-5p. Moreover, the combination therapy downregulated the expression of miRNAs significantly. This was consistent with our bioinformatic analysis demonstrating that the studied miRNAs are regulators of apoptosis. Finally, molecular docking validated the modulation of the miRNAs by parthenolide and vincristine.

CONCLUSION

Parthenolide in combination with vincristine triggers apoptosis at a high rate in the NALM6 cell line. Moreover, this combination therapy can decrease the expression of miR-17-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-125b-5p.

Regioselective and Stereoselective Synthesis of Parthenolide Analogs by Acyl Nitroso-Ene Reaction and Their Biological Evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Historically, natural products have played a major role in the development of antibiotics. Their complex chemical structures and high polarity give them advantages in the drug discovery process. In the broad range of natural products, sesquiterpene lactones are interesting compounds because of their diverse biological activities, their high-polarity, and sp3-carbon-rich chemical structures. Parthenolide (PTL) is a natural compound isolated from Tanacetum parthenium, of the family of germacranolide-type sesquiterpene lactones. In recent years, parthenolide has been studied for its anti-inflammatory, antimigraine, and anticancer properties. Recently, PTL has shown antibacterial activities, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. However, few studies are available on the potential antitubercular activities of parthenolide and its analogs. It has been demonstrated that parthenolide's biological effects are linked to the reactivity of α-exo-methylene-γ-butyrolactone, which reacts with cysteine in targeted proteins via a Michael addition. In this work, we describe the ene reaction of acylnitroso intermediates with parthenolide leading to the regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of new derivatives and their biological evaluation. The addition of hydroxycarbamates and hydroxyureas led to original analogs with higher polarity and solubility than parthenolide. Through this synthetic route, the Michael acceptor motif was preserved and is thus believed to be involved in the selective activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Pharmacogenomic Analysis of Combined Therapies against Glioblastoma Based on Cell Markers from Single-Cell Sequencing

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer and the lack of viable treatment options has created an urgency to develop novel treatments. Personalized or predictive medicine is still in its infancy stage at present. This research aimed to discover biomarkers to inform disease progression and to develop personalized prophylactic and therapeutic strategies by combining state-of-the-art technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing, systems pharmacology, and a polypharmacological approach. As predicted in the pyroptosis-related gene (PRG) transcription factor (TF) microRNA (miRNA) regulatory network, TP53 was the hub gene in the pyroptosis process in glioblastoma (GBM). A LASSO Cox regression model of pyroptosis-related genes was built to accurately and conveniently predict the one-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates of GBM patients. The top-scoring five natural compounds were parthenolide, rutin, baeomycesic acid, luteolin, and kaempferol, which have NFKB inhibition, antioxidant, lipoxygenase inhibition, glucosidase inhibition, and estrogen receptor agonism properties, respectively. In contrast, the analysis of the cell-type-specific differential expression-related targets of natural compounds showed that the top five subtype cells targeted by natural compounds were endothelial cells, microglia/macrophages, oligodendrocytes, dendritic cells, and neutrophil cells. The current approach-using the pharmacogenomic analysis of combined therapies-serves as a model for novel personalized therapeutic strategies for GBM treatment.

TGF-β in correlation with tumor progression, immunosuppression and targeted therapy in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex malignancy responsible for the second-highest cancer deaths worldwide. TGF-β maintains normal cellular homeostasis by inhibiting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, but its elevated level is correlated with colorectal cancer progression, as TGF-β is a master regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, a critical step of metastasis. Tumors, including CRC, use elevated TGF-β levels to avoid immune surveillance by modulating immune cell differentiation, proliferation, and effector function. Presently, the treatment of advanced CRC is mainly based on chemotherapy, with multiple adverse effects. Thus, there is a need to develop alternate tactics because CRC continue to be mostly resistant to the present therapeutic regimen. TGF-β blockade has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Blocking TGF-β with phytochemicals and other molecules, such as antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, and bifunctional traps, alone or in combination, may be a safer and more effective way to treat CRC. Furthermore, combination immunotherapy comprising TGF-β blockers and immune checkpoint inhibitors is gaining popularity because both molecules work synergistically to suppress the immune system. Here, we summarize the current understanding of TGF-β as a therapeutic target for managing CRC and its context-dependent tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing nature.

Decoding Systems Biology of Inflammation Signatures in Cancer Pathogenesis: Pan-Cancer Insights from 12 Common Cancers

Chronic inflammation is an important contributor to tumorigenesis in many tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms of inflammatory signaling in the tumor microenvironment are not yet fully understood in various cancers. Therefore, this study aimed to uncover the gene expression signatures of inflammation-associated proteins that lead to tumorigenesis, and with an eye to discovery of potential system biomarkers and novel drug candidates in oncology. Gene expression profiles associated with 12 common cancers (e.g., breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, and prostate adenocarcinoma) from The Cancer Genome Atlas were retrieved and mapped to inflammation-related gene sets. Subsequently, the inflammation-associated differentially expressed genes (i-DEGs) were determined. The i-DEGs common in all cancers were proposed as tumor inflammation signatures (TIS) after pan-cancer analysis. A TIS, consisting of 45 proteins, was evaluated as a potential system biomarker based on its prognostic forecasting and secretion profiles in multiple tissues. In addition, i-DEGs for each cancer type were used as queries for drug repurposing. Narciclasine, parthenolide, and homoharringtonine were identified as potential candidates for drug repurposing. Biomarker candidates in relation to inflammation were identified such as KNG1, SPP1, and MIF. Collectively, these findings inform precision diagnostics development to distinguish individual cancer types, and can also pave the way for novel prognostic decision tools and repurposed drugs across multiple cancers. These new findings and hypotheses warrant further research toward precision/personalized medicine in oncology. Pan-cancer analysis of inflammatory mediators can open up new avenues for innovation in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Design and synthesis of guaianolide-germacranolide heterodimers as novel anticancer agents against hepatocellular carcinoma

Inspired by our previous finding that disesquiterpenoids showed more potent antihepatoma cytotoxicity than their corresponding parent monomers, natural product-like guaianolide-germacranolide heterodimers were designed and synthesized from guaianolide diene and germacranolides via a biomimetic Diels-Alder reaction to provide three antihepatoma active dimers with novel scaffolds. To explore the structure-activity relationship, 31 derivatives containing ester, carbamate, ether, urea, amide, and triazole functional groups at C-14' were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HepG2, Huh7, and SK-Hep-1 cell lines. Among them, 25 compounds were more potent than sorafenib against HepG2 cells, 15 compounds were stronger than sorafenib against Huh7 cells, and 17 compounds were stronger than sorafenib against SK-Hep-1 cells. Compound 23 showed the most potent cytotoxicity against three hepatoma cell lines with IC50 values of 4.4 µM (HepG2), 3.7 µM (Huh7), and 3.1 µM (SK-Hep-1), which were 2.7-, 2.2-, and 2.8-fold more potent than sorafenib, respectively. The underlying mechanism study demonstrated that compound 23 could induce cell apoptosis, prevent cell migration and invasion, cause G2/M phase arrest in SK-Hep-1 cells. Network pharmacology analyses predicted PDGFRA was one of the potential targets of compound 23, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay verified that 23 had strong affinity with PDGFRA with a dissociatin constant (KD) value of 90.2 nM. These promising findings revealed that structurally novel guaianolide-germacranolide heterodimers might provide a new inspiration for the discovery of antihepatoma agents.

Small Molecules Targeting INSM1 for the Treatment of High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Human neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common childhood extracranial tumor arising from the sympathetic nervous system. It is also a clinically heterogeneous disease that ranges from spontaneous regression to high-risk stage 4 disease. The cause of this disease remains elusive. However, the amplification of NMYC oncogene occurred in roughly 30% of NB patients, which strongly correlated with the advanced stage of disease subtype and the worse prognosis status. We discovered that N-Myc oncoprotein binds and activates INSM1, a zinc-finger transcription factor of neuroendocrine tumors. We also found that INSM1 modulates N-Myc stability mediated through PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. Therefore, INSM1 emerges as a critical co-player with N-Myc in facilitating NB tumor cell growth and sustaining the advanced stage of malignancy. Using an INSM1-promoter driven luciferase screening-platform, we have recently identified fifteen small molecules that negatively regulate INSM1 expression. Interestingly, the identified small molecules can be divided into four large groups of compounds such as cell signaling inhibitor, DNA/RNA inhibitor, HDAC inhibitor, and cardiac glycoside. These findings support the presence of a unique mechanism associated with INSM1 and N-Myc interplay, which is critical in regulating NB tumor cell growth. We discuss the feasibility of identifying novel or repurposing small molecules targeting INSM1 as a potential treatment option for high-risk NB.

The anticancer, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial activities of chitosan-lecithin-coated parthenolide/tyrosol hybrid nanoparticles

Tyrosol (TYR) and parthenolide (PLT) have been used as synthetic antioxidant and natural anticancer compounds. In the current study, we aimed to synthesize an encapsulated complex of both PLT and TYR in a hybrid coating layer consisting of lecithin and chitosan molecules, a proper biocompatible drug delivery system to evaluate its antibacterial and anticancer potentials on human liver HepG2 and pancreatic Panc cancer cell lines. The chitosan-lecithin-coated PLT/TYR nanoparticles (clPT-NPs) were synthesized applying an auto-self-assembling method. The clPT-NPs were characterized utilizing DLS, FTIR, zeta potential, and TEM analysis. The clPT-NPs' antioxidant activity was measured by running ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays. Moreover, the antibacterial potential of clPT-NPs was evaluated by applying disk diffusion, MIC, and MBC assays. Finally, the nanoparticles' cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity were studied by conducting MTT, Flow cytometry, AO/PI cell staining, and real-time PCR techniques. The clPT-NPs (38 nm) exhibited significant antioxidant activity by inhibiting ABTS and DPPH radicals at 187 and 290 μg/mL IC50 concentrations, respectively. Also, the nanoparticles induced a notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.0625 mg/mL MIC and 0.125 mg/mL MBC concentrations. The clPT-NPs selectively decreased the cancer cells' survival and increased the apoptotic dead cells by up-regulating apoptotic gene expression (BAX and Cas-8) and down-regulating BCL-2 anti-apoptotic gene expression. The PLT toxicity has been merged with improved TYR antioxidant activity, which has been functionalized in a safe, biocompatible hybrid nano-delivery system.

Molecular phenotypic linkage between N6-methyladenosine methylation and tumor immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

The crucial role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation in anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy has been broadly depicted. However, the molecular phenotypic linkages between m6A modification pattern and immunological ecosystem are expected to be disentangled in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for immunotherapeutic unresponsiveness circumvention and combination with promising drug agents.

METHODS

Modification patterns of m6A methylation were qualitatively dissected according to the large-scale HCC samples profiling. We then determined the immune phenotypic linkages by systematically evaluating their tumor microenvironment composition, immune/stromal-relevant signature, immune checkpoints correlation, and prognostic value. Individual quantification of m6A methylation pattern was achieved by m6Ascore construction, intensified by longitudinal single-cell analysis of immunotherapy cohort and validated by the transcriptomic profiles of our in-hospital GDPH-HCC cohort. Candidate therapeutic agents were also screened out.

RESULTS

Three distinct m6A methylation patterns were determined in high accordance with inflamed-, excluded-, and desert-immunophenotype. To be precise, Immune-inflamed high-m6Ascore group was characterized by activated immunity with favorable prognosis. Stromal activation and absence of immune cell infiltration were observed in low-m6Ascore phenotype, linked to impaired outcome. Patients with low-m6Ascore demonstrated diminished responses and clinical benefits for cohorts receiving immunotherapy. The above credible linkage between m6A methylation pattern and tumor immune microenvironment was robustly validated in our GDPH-HCC cohort. Single-cell dynamic change of m6A methylation level in exhausted CD8 T cell and fibroblast was depicted in immunotherapy cohort fore and art. Derived from m6A methylation pattern, seven potential frontline drug agents were recognized as promising choice for high-m6Ascore patients.

CONCLUSION

Our work bridged the credible linkage between epigenetics and anti-tumor immunity in HCC, unraveling m6A modification pattern as immunological indicator and predictor for immunotherapy. Individualized m6Ascore facilitated strategic choices to maximize therapy-responsive possibility.

LRP5, SLC6A3, and SOX10 Expression in Conventional Ameloblastoma

Cell proliferation and invasion are characteristic of many tumors, including ameloblastoma, and are important features to target in possible future therapeutic applications.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was the identification of key genes and inhibitory drugs related to the cell proliferation and invasion of ameloblastoma using bioinformatic analysis.

METHODS

The H10KA_07_38 gene profile database was analyzed by Rstudio and ShinyGO Gene Ontology enrichment. String, Cytoscape-MCODE, and Kaplan-Meier plots were generated, which were subsequently validated by RT-qPCR relative expression and immunoexpression analyses. To propose specific inhibitory drugs, a bioinformatic search using Drug Gene Budger and DrugBank was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 204 significantly upregulated genes were identified. Gene ontology enrichment analysis identified four pathways related to cell proliferation and cell invasion. A total of 37 genes were involved in these pathways, and 11 genes showed an MCODE score of ≥0.4; however, only SLC6A3, SOX10, and LRP5 were negatively associated with overall survival (HR = 1.49 (p = 0.0072), HR = 1.55 (p = 0.0018), and HR = 1.38 (p = 0.025), respectively). The RT-qPCR results confirmed the significant differences in expression, with overexpression of >2 for SLC6A3 and SOX10. The immunoexpression analysis indicated positive LRP5 and SLC6A3 expression. The inhibitory drugs bioinformatically obtained for the above three genes were parthenolide and vorinostat.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify LRP5, SLC6A3, and SOX10 as potentially important genes related to cell proliferation and invasion in the pathogenesis of ameloblastomas, along with both parthenolide and vorinostat as inhibitory drugs that could be further investigated for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against ameloblastoma.

Trends in parthenolide research over the past two decades: A bibliometric analysis

Parthenolide (PTL) is a new compound extracted from traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, it has been proven to play an undeniable role in tumors, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Similarly, an increasing number of experiments have also confirmed the biological mechanism of PTL in these diseases. In order to better understand the development trend and potential hot spots of PTL in cancer and other diseases, we conducted a detailed bibliometric analysis. The purpose of presenting this bibliometric analysis was to highlight and inform researchers of the important research directions, co-occurrence relationships and research status in this field. Publications related to PTL research from 2002 to 2022 were extracted on the web of science core collection (WoSCC) platform. CiteSpace, VOSviewers and R package "bibliometrix" were applied to build relevant network diagrams. The bibliometric analysis was presented in terms of performance analysis (including publication statistics, top publishing countries, top publishing institutions, publishing journals and co-cited journals, authors and co-cited authors, co-cited references statistics, citation bursts statistics, keyword statistics and trend topic statistics) and science mapping (including citations by country, citations by institution, citations by journal, citations by author, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence). The detailed discussion of the results explained the focus and latest trends from the bibliometric analysis. Finally, the current status and shortcomings of the research field on PTLwere clearly pointed out for reference by scholars.

Ubiquitin-proteasome system as a target for anticancer treatment-an update

As the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) regulates almost every biological process, the dysregulation or aberrant expression of the UPS components causes many pathological disorders, including cancers. To find a novel target for anticancer therapy, the UPS has been an active area of research since the FDA's first approval of a proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in 2003 for treating multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we summarize newly described UPS components, including E3 ubiquitin ligases, deubiquitinases (DUBs), and immunoproteasome, whose malfunction leads to tumorigenesis and whose inhibitors have been investigated in clinical trials as anticancer therapy since 2020. We explain the mechanism and effects of several inhibitors in depth to better comprehend the advantages of targeting UPS components for cancer treatment. In addition, we describe attempts to overcome resistance and limited efficacy of some launched proteasome inhibitors, as well as an emerging PROTAC-based tool targeting UPS components for anticancer therapy.

Signaling pathways driving ocular malignancies and their targeting by bioactive phytochemicals

Ocular cancers represent a rare pathology. The American Cancer Society estimates that 3,360 cases of ocular cancer occur annually in the United States. The major types of cancers of the eye include ocular melanoma (also known as uveal melanoma), ocular lymphoma, retinoblastoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. While uveal melanoma is one of the primary intraocular cancers with the highest occurrence in adults, retinoblastoma remains the most common primary intraocular cancer in children, and squamous cell carcinoma presents as the most common conjunctival cancer. The pathophysiology of these diseases involves specific cell signaling pathways. Oncogene mutations, tumor suppressor mutations, chromosome deletions/translocations and altered proteins are all described as causal events in developing ocular cancer. Without proper identification and treatment of these cancers, vision loss, cancer spread, and even death can occur. The current treatments for these cancers involve enucleation, radiation, excision, laser treatment, cryotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments present a significant burden to the patient that includes a possible loss of vision and a myriad of side effects. Therefore, alternatives to traditional therapy are urgently needed. Intercepting the signaling pathways for these cancers with the use of naturally occurring phytochemicals could be a way to relieve both cancer burden and perhaps even prevent cancer occurrence. This research aims to present a comprehensive review of the signaling pathways involved in various ocular cancers, discuss current therapeutic options, and examine the potential of bioactive phytocompounds in the prevention and targeted treatment of ocular neoplasms. The current limitations, challenges, pitfalls, and future research directions are also discussed.

Biosynthesis of anticancer phytochemical compounds and their chemistry

Cancer is a severe health issue, and cancer cases are rising yearly. New anticancer drugs have been developed as our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind diverse solid tumors, and metastatic malignancies have increased. Plant-derived phytochemical compounds target different oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, protein channels, immune cells, protein channels, and pumps, which have attracted much attention for treating cancer in preclinical studies. Despite the anticancer capabilities of these phytochemical compounds, systemic toxicity, medication resistance, and limited absorption remain more significant obstacles in clinical trials. Therefore, drug combinations of new phytochemical compounds, phytonanomedicine, semi-synthetic, and synthetic analogs should be considered to supplement the existing cancer therapies. It is also crucial to consider different strategies for increased production of phytochemical bioactive substances. The primary goal of this review is to highlight several bioactive anticancer phytochemical compounds found in plants, preclinical research, their synthetic and semi-synthetic analogs, and clinical trials. Additionally, biotechnological and metabolic engineering strategies are explored to enhance the production of bioactive phytochemical compounds. Ligands and their interactions with their putative targets are also explored through molecular docking studies. Therefore, emphasis is given to gathering comprehensive data regarding modern biotechnology, metabolic engineering, molecular biology, and in silico tools.

Comprehensive Analysis of NABP2 as a Prognostic Biomarker and Its Correlation with Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

The DNA binding protein NABP2 (nucleic acid binding protein 2) is a member of the SSB (single-stranded DNA-binding) protein family, which is involved in DNA damage repair. Its prognostic significance and relationship with immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, remain unknown.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prognostic value of NABP2 and to investigate its possible immune function in HCC. By applying multiple bioinformatics methods, we gathered and analysed data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Cancer Cell Lineage Encyclopedia (CCLE), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to investigate the potential oncogenic and cancer-promoting role of NABP2, including the differential expression, prognostic value, immune cell infiltration association, and drug sensitivity of NABP2 in HCC. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to validate the expression of NABP2 in HCC. The knockdown of NABP2 expression by siRNA was further used to validate its role in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Results

Our findings indicated that NABP2 was overexpressed in HCC samples and was related to poor survival, clinical stage, and tumour grade in HCC patients. Analysis of functional enrichment indicated that NABP2 was potentially involved in the cell cycle, DNA replication, G2M checkpoint, E2F targets, apoptosis, P53 signalling, TGFA signalling via NF-κB, and so on. NABP2 was shown to be significantly linked to immune cell infiltration and immunological checkpoints in HCC. Analyses of drug sensitivity predict a number of drugs that could potentially be used to target NABP2. Moreover, in vitro experiments verified the promoting effect of NABP2 on the migration and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Conclusion

Based on these findings, NABP2 appears to be a candidate biomarker for HCC prognosis and immunotherapy.

Identification of a Novel Potent CYP4Z1 Inhibitor Attenuating the Stemness of Breast Cancer Cells through Lead Optimization

Pharmacological targeting cancer stem cells are emerging as a novel therapeutic modality for cancer treatment and prevention. Human cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP4Z1 represents a promising target for its potential role in attenuating the stemness of breast cancer cells. In order to develop potent and selective CYP4Z1 inhibitors, a series of novel N-hydroxyphenylformamidines were rationally designed and synthesized from a pan-CYP inhibitor HET0016. CYP4Z1 inhibitory activities of the newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated, and the structure-activity relationships (SARs) were summarized. Among them, compound 7c exhibited the best inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 41.8 nM. Furthermore, it was found that 7c decreased the expression of stemness markers, spheroid formation, and metastatic ability as well as tumor-initiation capability in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, compound 7c might be a potential lead compound to develop CYP4Z1 inhibitor with more favorable druggability for clinical application to treat breast cancer.

Lessons learned from the discovery and development of the sesquiterpene lactones in cancer therapy and prevention

INTRODUCTION

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are one of the most diverse bioactive secondary metabolites found in plants and exhibit a broad range of therapeutic properties . SLs have been showing promising potential in cancer clinical trials, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer potential are being uncovered. Recent evidence also points to a potential utility of SLs in cancer prevention.

AREAS COVERED

This work evaluates SLs with promising anticancer potential based on cell, animal, and clinical models: Artemisinin, micheliolide, thapsigargin dehydrocostuslactone, arglabin, parthenolide, costunolide, deoxyelephantopin, alantolactone, isoalantolactone, atractylenolide 1, and xanthatin as well as their synthetic derivatives. We highlight actionable molecular targets and biological mechanisms underlying the anticancer therapeutic properties of SLs. This is complemented by a unique assessment of SL mechanisms of action that can be exploited in cancer prevention. We also provide insights into structure-activity and pharmacokinetic properties of SLs and their potential use in combination therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

We extract seven major lessons learned and present evidence-based solutions that can circumvent some scientific limitations or logistic impediments in SL anticancer research. SLs continue to be at the forefront of cancer drug discovery and are worth a joint interdisciplinary effort in order to leverage their potential in cancer therapy and prevention.

Molecular targets for the treatment of AML in the forthcoming 5th World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours

INTRODUCTION

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a genetically heterogeneous disease for which the treatment armamentarium has been historically restricted to chemotherapy. However, genomic and epigenomic alterations that contribute to AML initiation, maintenance, and relapse have disclosed new insights to the 5th update in WHO Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours.

AREAS COVERED

After four decades of intensive chemotherapy as a 'one-size-fits-all' concept, several targeted agents have been approved for the treatment of AML. Several compounds, directed against regulators of apoptotic, epigenetic, or micro-environmental pathways, and immune-system modulators, are currently in development and investigation in clinical trials. We review advances in target-based therapy for AML focusing on their mechanism of action, examining the intracellular events and pathways, and the results from published clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

To improve patient clinical outcomes, find new biomarkers for therapeutic response, and pinpoint patients who might benefit from novel targeted medicines, next-generation sequencing is being used to evaluate AML-associated mutations. In fact, the new 5th edition of WHO classification has reaffirmed the importance of genetically defined entities that have a prognostic impact, but not all have a specific treatment available. New class of target drugs are in clinical development and could be beneficial to improve the therapeutic armamentarium available.

The NF-κB Pharmacopeia: Novel Strategies to Subdue an Intractable Target

NF-κB transcription factors are major drivers of tumor initiation and progression. NF-κB signaling is constitutively activated by genetic alterations or environmental signals in many human cancers, where it contributes to almost all hallmarks of malignancy, including sustained proliferation, cell death resistance, tumor-promoting inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, tissue invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. As such, the NF-κB pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in a broad range of human cancers, as well as in numerous non-malignant diseases. Currently, however, there is no clinically useful NF-κB inhibitor to treat oncological patients, owing to the preclusive, on-target toxicities of systemic NF-κB blockade. In this review, we discuss the principal and most promising strategies being developed to circumvent the inherent limitations of conventional IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB-targeting drugs, focusing on new molecules that target upstream regulators or downstream effectors of oncogenic NF-κB signaling, as well as agents targeting individual NF-κB subunits.

Recent Trends in Nanomedicine-Based Strategies to Overcome Multidrug Resistance in Tumors

Cancer is the leading cause of economic and health burden worldwide. The commonly used approaches for the treatment of cancer are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy frequently results in undesirable side effects, and cancer cells may develop resistance. Combating drug resistance is a challenging task in cancer treatment. Drug resistance may be intrinsic or acquired and can be due to genetic factors, growth factors, the increased efflux of drugs, DNA repair, and the metabolism of xenobiotics. The strategies used to combat drug resistance include the nanomedicine-based targeted delivery of drugs and genes using different nanocarriers such as gold nanoparticles, peptide-modified nanoparticles, as well as biomimetic and responsive nanoparticles that help to deliver payload at targeted tumor sites and overcome resistance. Gene therapy in combination with chemotherapy aids in this respect. siRNA and miRNA alone or in combination with chemotherapy improve therapeutic response in tumor cells. Some natural substances, such as curcumin, quercetin, tocotrienol, parthenolide, naringin, and cyclosporin-A are also helpful in combating the drug resistance of cancer cells. This manuscript summarizes the mechanism of drug resistance and nanoparticle-based strategies used to combat it.

Combination Anticancer Therapies Using Selected Phytochemicals

Cancer is still one of the most widespread diseases globally, it is considered a vital health challenge worldwide and one of the main barriers to long life expectancy. Due to the potential toxicity and lack of selectivity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, discovering alternative treatments is a top priority. Plant-derived natural products have high potential in cancer treatment due to their multiple mechanisms of action, diversity in structure, availability in nature, and relatively low toxicity. In this review, the anticancer mechanisms of the most common phytochemicals were analyzed. Furthermore, a detailed discussion of the anticancer effect of combinations consisting of natural product or natural products with chemotherapeutic drugs was provided. This review should provide a strong platform for researchers and clinicians to improve basic and clinical research in the development of alternative anticancer medicines.

Plants as a Source of Anticancer Agents: From Bench to Bedside

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Conventional anticancer therapies are associated with lack of selectivity and serious side effects. Cancer hallmarks are biological capabilities acquired by cancer cells during neoplastic transformation. Targeting multiple cancer hallmarks is a promising strategy to treat cancer. The diversity in chemical structure and the relatively low toxicity make plant-derived natural products a promising source for the development of new and more effective anticancer therapies that have the capacity to target multiple hallmarks in cancer. In this review, we discussed the anticancer activities of ten natural products extracted from plants. The majority of these products inhibit cancer by targeting multiple cancer hallmarks, and many of these chemicals have reached clinical applications. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid ground for researchers and physicians to design more effective combination anticancer therapies using plant-derived natural products.

Phytochemicals for the Prevention and Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with about 90% of renal malignancies, and its incidence is increasing globally. Plant-derived compounds have gained significant attention in the scientific community for their preventative and therapeutic effects on cancer. To evaluate the anticancer potential of phytocompounds for RCC, we compiled a comprehensive and systematic review of the available literature. Our work was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. The literature search was performed using scholarly databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and keywords such as renal cell carcinoma, phytochemicals, cancer, tumor, proliferation, apoptosis, prevention, treatment, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Based on in vitro results, various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, suppressed cell viability, proliferation and growth, showed cytotoxic activity, inhibited invasion and migration, and enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in RCC. In various animal tumor models, phytochemicals suppressed renal tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and hindered angiogenesis and metastasis. The relevant antineoplastic mechanisms involved upregulation of caspases, reduction in cyclin activity, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via modulation of a plethora of cell signaling pathways. Clinical studies demonstrated a reduced risk for the development of kidney cancer and enhancement of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. Both preclinical and clinical studies displayed significant promise of utilizing phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of RCC. Further research, confirming the mechanisms and regulatory pathways, along with randomized controlled trials, are needed to establish the use of phytochemicals in clinical practice.

A dual-responsive "Yin-Yang" photothermal delivery system to accelerate Parthenolide anti-tumor efficacy

Parthenolide (PTL), a germacrane sesquiterpene lactone extracted from the "Yin" Chinese traditional herb feverfew, has gained interest due to its lethal effects on tumor cells and its pharmacological effects within traditional Chinese medicine theory. To overcome low, non-targeted accumulation and uncontrolled release of PTL administration, a dual-responsive PTL-liposomes@chitosan@gold nanoshells (PTL-Lips@CS@GNS) system was fabricated. Hyperthermia generated under light irradiation in the near-infrared region via local surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoshells induced photothermal therapy, which also stimulated PTL release due to the liposomes gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition. Additionally, PTL-Lips@CS@GNS exhibited a pH-responsive release in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Collectively, this study provides a realistic strategy for an effective combination of traditional Chinese medicine and current nanotechnology for tumor therapy.

Parthenolide ameliorates neurological deficits and neuroinflammation in mice with traumatic brain injury by suppressing STAT3/NF-κB and inflammasome activation

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers a set of complex inflammation that results in secondary injury. Parthenolide (PTN) is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from the herb Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) and has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress effects in the central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases. This study focuses on investigating the potential neuroprotective effect of PTN on TBI and the related mechanism.

METHODS

Bv2 microglia, primary microglia were stimulated by LPS, and HT22 neuron cells were stimulated by OGD/R, and they were treated with different doses of PTN. The expression profiles of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins, oxidative stress mediators, STAT3/NF-κB pathway, inflammasomes were detected. Forty male/female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham, PTN, TBI, and TBI + PTN groups (10 mice per group). A mouse TBI model was set up with a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device. The modified nerve severity score (mNSS) was implemented to check short-term neurological impairment in mice, and the mice's memory and learning were assessed by the Morris water maze test. The water content in the mice's brains was measured by the dry-wet method. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Nissl staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were applied for neuronal apoptosis.

RESULTS

PTN dramatically alleviated LPS-induced inflammation in microglia, and OGD-mediated neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress. In addition, PTN repressed LPS- or OGD-modulated STAT3/NF-κB and NLR family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasomes activation. Administering the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic or NF-κB inhibitor Bay 11-7082 attenuated PTN-mediated effects. In vivo, PTN treatment relieved neural function deficits, brain edema and neuron apoptosis and improved the memory and learning function of TBI mice. Additionally, PTN impeded microglial activation and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in brain lesions of TBI mice. Furthermore, PTN hindered STAT3/NF-κB and inflammasome activation.

CONCLUSION

PTN can curb microglial activation and neuron apoptosis by dampening the STAT3/NF-κB pathway, thus exerting neuroprotective effects in TBI mice.

The Emerging Potential of Parthenolide Nanoformulations in Tumor Therapy

Plant-derived sesquiterpene lactones are promising natural sources for the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. As an extensively studied sesquiterpene lactone, the tumor suppression effect of parthenolide (PTL) has been clarified by targeting a number of prominent signaling pathways and key protein regulators in carcinogenesis. Notably, PTL was also the first small molecule reported to eradicate cancer stem cells. Nevertheless, the clinical application of PTL as an antitumor agent remains limited, owing to some disadvantages such as low water solubility and poor bioavailability. Thus, nanomedicine has attracted much interest because of its great potential for transporting poorly soluble drugs to desired body sites. In view of the significant advantages over their free small-molecule counterparts, nanoparticle delivery systems appear to be a potential solution for addressing the delivery of hydrophobic drugs, including PTL. In this review, we summarized the key anticancer mechanisms underlined by PTL as well as engineered PTL nanoparticles synthesized to date. Therefore, PTL nanoformulations could be an alternative strategy to maximize the therapeutic value of PTL.

Reptiles as Promising Sources of Medicinal Natural Products for Cancer Therapeutic Drugs

Natural products have historically played an important role as a source of therapeutic drugs for various diseases, and the development of medicinal natural products is still a field with high potential. Although diverse drugs have been developed for incurable diseases for several decades, discovering safe and efficient anticancer drugs remains a formidable challenge. Reptiles, as one source of Asian traditional medicines, are known to possess anticancer properties and have been used for a long time without a clarified scientific background. Recently, it has been reported that extracts, crude peptides, sera, and venom isolated from reptiles could effectively inhibit the survival and proliferation of various cancer cells. In this article, we summarize recent studies applying ingredients derived from reptiles in cancer therapy and discuss the difficulties and prospective development of natural product research.

Paired electrolysis enabled annulation for the quinolyl-modification of bioactive molecules

A paired electrolysis enabled cascade annulation that enables the efficient synthesis of highly functionalized quinoline-substituted bioactive molecules from readily available starting materials is reported. Using this methodology, two goals, namely, the direct synthesis of quinolines and the introduction of quinoline moieties to bioactive molecules, can be simultaneously achieved in one simple operation. The use of electroreduction for the activation of isatin, together with the further anodic oxidation of KI to catalytically result in a cascade annulation, highlight the unique possibilities associated with electrochemical activation methods. This transformation can tolerate a wide range of functional groups and can also be used as a functionalization tactic in pharmaceutical research as well as other areas.

Parthenolide and Its Soluble Analogues: Multitasking Compounds with Antitumor Properties

Due to its chemical properties and multiple molecular effects on different tumor cell types, the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PN) can be considered an effective drug with significant potential in cancer therapy. PN has been shown to induce either classic apoptosis or alternative caspase-independent forms of cell death in many tumor models. The therapeutical potential of PN has been increased by chemical design and synthesis of more soluble analogues including dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT). This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of both PN and analogues action in tumor models, highlighting their effects on gene expression, signal transduction and execution of different types of cell death. Recent findings indicate that these compounds not only inhibit prosurvival transcriptional factors such as NF-κB and STATs but can also determine the activation of specific death pathways, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and modifications of Bcl-2 family members. An intriguing property of these compounds is its specific targeting of cancer stem cells. The unusual actions of PN and its analogues make these agents good candidates for molecular targeted cancer therapy.

Micropropagation of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and Quantification of Parthenolide Content in Its Micropropagated and Conventionally Grown Plants

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a well-known multi-functional plant with anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, antiangiogenic, and anticancer effects. The therapeutic value of this plant is due to its phytochemical constitutes, especially parthenolide. Tissue culture techniques have been applied to improve the bioactive components of many herbal plants. Hence, this study, was carried out to establish a protocol for micropropagation of the feverfew plant and to quantify parthenolide content in its micropropagated and conventionally grown plants. To establish an aseptic culture, different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) were investigated for seed surface sterilization. Besides, the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the callus induction, shoot organogenesis from callus and in vitro rooting were evaluated. Additionally, the parthenolide yield of the micropropagated and conventionally grown plants was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that surface sterilization of feverfew seeds with 6% NaOCl for 15 min obtained 65.00 ± 2.69% aseptic seeds. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.4 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) resulted in 86.00 ± 1.72% callus induction. The highest number of shoots (5.00 ± 0.15) per explant was obtained in the treatment of MS medium supplemented with 5 mg/L zeatin. MS medium fortified with 3 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the maximum number of roots per plantlet (8.90 ± 0.35). A total of 90% of the micropropagated plantlets survived when planted in perlite + peat moss (1:1 v/v); the micropropagated plantlets were successfully established in the ex vitro conditions. According to parthenolide analysis, its level was significantly higher in the micropropagated plants than conventionally grown plants. Among different solvents, ethanolic extraction obtained the highest parthenolide content of the feverfew plant. Hence, it can be concluded that micropropagation of feverfew could be applied to produce disease-free planting materials and to improve the parthenolide content of the feverfew plant.

Pathway network of pyroptosis and its potential inhibitors in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a worldwide problem, and there is no effective drug to eliminate AKI. The death of renal cells is an important pathological basis of intrinsic AKI. At present, targeted therapy for TEC death is a research hotspot in AKI therapy. There are many ways of cell death involved in the occurrence and development of AKI, such as apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. This article mainly focuses on the role of pyroptosis in AKI. The assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is a key event in the occurrence of pyroptosis, which is affected by many factors, such as the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, mitochondrial instability and excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome can trigger its downstream inflammatory cytokines, which will lead to pyroptosis and eventually induce AKI. In this paper, we reviewed the possible mechanism of pyroptosis in AKI and the potential effective inhibitors of various key targets in this process. It may provide potential therapeutic targets for novel intrinsic AKI therapies based on pyroptosis, so as to develop better therapeutic strategies.

The Role of Bitter Taste Receptors in Cancer: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Since it is known that bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are expressed and functionally active in various extra-oral cells, their genetic variability and functional response initiated by their activation have become of broader interest, including in the context of cancer.

METHODS

A systematic research was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant publications concerning the role of TAS2Rs in cancer.

RESULTS

While the findings on variations of TAS2R genotypes and phenotypes and their association to the risk of developing cancer are still inconclusive, gene expression analyses revealed that TAS2Rs are expressed and some of them are predominately downregulated in cancerous compared to non-cancerous cell lines and tissue samples. Additionally, receptor-specific, agonist-mediated activation induced various anti-cancer effects, such as decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as increased apoptosis. Furthermore, the overexpression of TAS2Rs resulted in a decreased tumour incidence in an in vivo study and TAS2R activation could even enhance the therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutics in vitro. Finally, higher expression levels of TAS2Rs in primary cancerous cells and tissues were associated with an improved prognosis in humans.

CONCLUSION

Since current evidence demonstrates a functional role of TAS2Rs in carcinogenesis, further studies should exploit their potential as (co-)targets of chemotherapeutics.