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Yang J, Xia T, Zhou S, Liu S, Pan T, Li Y, Luo Z. Anticancer Effect of Dihydroartemisinin via Dual Control of ROS-induced Apoptosis and Protective Autophagy in Prostate Cancer 22Rv1 Cells. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:1321-1332. [PMID: 37605406 DOI: 10.2174/1389201024666230821155243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a natural agent, exhibits potent anticancer activity. However, its biological activity on prostate cancer (PCa) 22Rv1 cells has not been previously investigated. OBJECTIVES In this study, we demonstrate that DHA induces anticancer effects through the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. METHODS Cell viability and proliferation rate were assessed using the CCK-8 assay and cell clone formation assay. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism of DHA-induced apoptosis and autophagy was examined using Western blot and RT-qPCR. The formation of autophagosomes and the changes in autophagy flux were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy. The effect of DHA combined with Chloroquine (CQ) was assessed using the EdU assay and flow cytometry. The expressions of ROS/AMPK/mTOR-related proteins were detected using Western blot. The interaction between Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 was examined using Co-IP. RESULTS DHA inhibited 22Rv1 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. DHA exerted its antiprostate cancer effects by increasing ROS levels. DHA promoted autophagy progression in 22Rv1 cells. Inhibition of autophagy enhanced the pro-apoptotic effect of DHA. DHA-induced autophagy initiation depended on the ROS/AMPK/mTOR pathway. After DHA treatment, the impact of Beclin- 1 on Bcl-2 was weakened, and its binding with Vps34 was enhanced. CONCLUSION DHA induces apoptosis and autophagy in 22Rv1 cells. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of ROS/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways and the interaction between Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 proteins. Additionally, the combination of DHA and CQ may enhance the efficacy of DHA in inhibiting tumor cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Yang
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tong Xia
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sijie Zhou
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sihao Liu
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingyu Pan
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziguo Luo
- Laboratory of Medical Experiment Technology, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Mohi-Ud-Din R, Chawla A, Sharma P, Mir PA, Potoo FH, Reiner Ž, Reiner I, Ateşşahin DA, Sharifi-Rad J, Mir RH, Calina D. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:345. [PMID: 37710280 PMCID: PMC10500791 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with predictions of increasing prevalence in the coming years due to limited prevention, late diagnosis, and inadequate success with current therapies. In addition, the high cost of new anti-cancer drugs creates barriers in meeting the medical needs of cancer patients, especially in developing countries. The lengthy and costly process of developing novel drugs further hinders drug discovery and clinical implementation. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in repurposing approved drugs for other diseases to address the urgent need for effective cancer treatments. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide an overview of the potential of approved non-oncology drugs as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. These drugs come from various chemotherapeutic classes, including antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antifungals, and have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the repurposing of approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Various electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using appropriate keywords. Studies focusing on the therapeutic potential, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and clinical prospects of repurposed drugs in cancer treatment were included in the analysis. The review highlights the promising outcomes of repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes have demonstrated notable antitumor effects, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, modulating the immune response, and suppressing metastasis. These findings suggest the potential of these repurposed drugs as effective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs provides a promising strategy for addressing the urgent need for effective and accessible cancer treatments. The diverse classes of repurposed drugs, with their demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties, offer new avenues for cancer therapy. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to explore the full potential of these repurposed drugs and optimize their use in treating various cancer types. Repurposing approved drugs can significantly expedite the process of identifying effective treatments and improve patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohi Mohi-Ud-Din
- Department of General Medicine, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190001, India
| | - Apporva Chawla
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Pooja Sharma
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Prince Ahad Mir
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Faheem Hyder Potoo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Željko Reiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Reiner
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dilek Arslan Ateşşahin
- Baskil Vocational School, Department of Plant and Animal Production, Fırat University, 23100, Elazıg, Turkey
| | | | - Reyaz Hassan Mir
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190006, India.
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349, Craiova, Romania.
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The cross-talk of autophagy and apoptosis in breast carcinoma: implications for novel therapies? Biochem J 2022; 479:1581-1608. [PMID: 35904454 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in women worldwide. Resistance to drugs and recurrence of the disease are two leading causes of failure in treatment. For a more efficient treatment of patients, the development of novel therapeutic regimes is needed. Recent studies indicate that modulation of autophagy in concert with apoptosis induction may provide a promising novel strategy in breast cancer treatment. Apoptosis and autophagy are two tightly regulated distinct cellular processes. To maintain tissue homeostasis abnormal cells are disposed largely by means of apoptosis. Autophagy, however, contributes to tissue homeostasis and cell fitness by scavenging of damaged organelles, lipids, proteins, and DNA. Defects in autophagy promote tumorigenesis, whereas upon tumor formation rapidly proliferating cancer cells may rely on autophagy to survive. Given that evasion of apoptosis is one of the characteristic hallmarks of cancer cells, inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis can negatively influence cancer cell survival and increase cell death. Hence, combination of antiautophagic agents with the enhancement of apoptosis may restore apoptosis and provide a therapeutic advantage against breast cancer. In this review, we discuss the cross-talk of autophagy and apoptosis and the diverse facets of autophagy in breast cancer cells leading to novel models for more effective therapeutic strategies.
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Dihydroartemisinin Reduces Irradiation-Induced Mitophagy and Radioresistance in Lung Cancer A549 Cells via CIRBP Inhibition. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12081129. [PMID: 36013308 PMCID: PMC9410454 DOI: 10.3390/life12081129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a major therapeutic strategy for lung cancer, and radiation resistance (radioresistance) is an important cause of residual and recurring cancer after treatment. However, the mechanism of radioresistance remains unclear. Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), an important selective autophagy, plays an important role in maintaining cell homeostasis and affects the response to therapy. Recent studies have shown that dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, can increase the sensitivity to treatment in multiple types of cancer, including lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the function and molecular mechanisms of DHA-regulating mitophagy and DHA-reducing radioresistance in lung cancer A549 cells. We first constructed the radioresistant lung cancer A549 cells model (A549R) through fractional radiation, then elucidated the function and mechanism of DHA-regulating mitophagy to reduce the radioresistance of lung cancer by genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic methods. The results showed that fractional radiation can significantly induce radioresistance and mitophagy in A549 cells, DHA can reduce mitophagy and radioresistance, and the inhibition of mitophagy can reduce radioresistance. Protein chip assay and bioinformatics analysis showed the following: Cold-Inducible RNA Binding Protein (CIRBP) might be a potential target of DHA-regulating mitophagy; CIRBP is highly expressed in A549R cells; the knockdown of CIRBP increases the effect of DHA, reduces mitophagy and radioresistance, and inhibits the mitophagy-related PINK1/Parkin pathway. In conclusion, we believe that DHA reduces radiation-induced mitophagy and radioresistance of lung cancer A549 cells via CIRBP inhibition.
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Jelonek K, Zajdel A, Wilczok A, Kaczmarczyk B, Musiał-Kulik M, Hercog A, Foryś A, Pastusiak M, Kasperczyk J. Comparison of PLA-Based Micelles and Microspheres as Carriers of Epothilone B and Rapamycin. The Effect of Delivery System and Polymer Composition on Drug Release and Cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111881. [PMID: 34834296 PMCID: PMC8624627 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-delivery of epothilone B (EpoB) and rapamycin (Rap) increases cytotoxicity against various kinds of cancers. However, the current challenge is to develop a drug delivery system (DDS) for the simultaneous delivery and release of these two drugs. Additionally, it is important to understand the release mechanism, as well as the factors that affect drug release, in order to tailor this process. The aim of this study was to analyze PLA–PEG micelles along with several types of microspheres obtained from PLA or a mixture of PLA and PLA–PEG as carriers of EpoB and Rap for their drug release properties and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. The study showed that the release process of EpoB and Rap from a PLA-based injectable delivery systems depends on the type of DDS, morphology, and polymeric composition (PLA to PLA–PEG ratio). These factors also affect the biological activity of the DDS, because the cytotoxic effect of the drugs against MDA-MB-231 cells depends on the release rate. The release process from all kinds of DDS was well-characterized by the Peppas–Sahlin model and was mainly controlled by Fickian diffusion. The conducted analysis allowed also for the selection of PLA 50/PLA–PEG 50 microspheres and PLA–PEG micelles as a promising co-delivery system of EpoB and Rap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Jelonek
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Alicja Zajdel
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.Z.); (A.W.)
| | - Adam Wilczok
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.Z.); (A.W.)
| | - Bożena Kaczmarczyk
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Monika Musiał-Kulik
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Anna Hercog
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Aleksander Foryś
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Małgorzata Pastusiak
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Janusz Kasperczyk
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland; (K.J.); (B.K.); (M.M.-K.); (A.H.); (A.F.); (M.P.)
- Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.Z.); (A.W.)
- Correspondence:
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Yu R, Jin G, Fujimoto M. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Drug for the Treatment of Malignancies and Inflammatory Diseases. Front Oncol 2021; 11:722331. [PMID: 34692496 PMCID: PMC8529146 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.722331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been globally recognized for its efficacy and safety in the clinical treatment of malaria for decades. Recently, it has been found that DHA inhibits malignant tumor growth and regulates immune system function in addition to anti-malaria. In parasites and tumors, DHA causes severe oxidative stress by inducing excessive reactive oxygen species production. DHA also kills tumor cells by inducing programmed cell death, blocking cell cycle and enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In addition, DHA inhibits inflammation by reducing the inflammatory cells infiltration and suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and network pharmacology of DHA therapy provide the basis for elucidating the pharmacological effects of DHA. This review provides a summary of the recent research progress of DHA in anti-tumor, inhibition of inflammatory diseases and the relevant pharmacological mechanisms. With further research of DHA, it is likely that DHA will become an alternative therapy in the clinical treatment of malignant tumors and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yu
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Guihua Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Manabu Fujimoto
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Cutaneous Immunology, Osaka University Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka, Japan
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Yang N, Liu X, Niu X, Wang X, Jiang R, Yuan N, Wang J, Zhang C, Lim KL, Lu L. Activation of Autophagy Ameliorates Age-Related Neurogenesis Decline and Neurodysfunction in Adult Mice. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:626-641. [PMID: 34546510 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10265-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is the ongoing generation of functional new neurons from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the mammalian brain. However, this process declines with aging, which is implicated in the recession of brain function and neurodegeneration. Understanding the mechanism of adult neurogenesis and stimulating neurogenesis will benefit the mitigation of neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy, a highly conserved process of cellular degradation, is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and normal function. Whether and how autophagy affects adult neurogenesis remains poorly understood. In present study, we revealed a close connection between impaired autophagy and adult neurogenetic decline. Expression of autophagy-related genes and autophagic activity were significantly declined in the middle-adult subventricular/subgranular zone (SVZ/SGZ) homogenates and cultured NPCs, and inhibiting autophagy by siRNA interference resulted in impaired proliferation and differentiation of NPCs. Conversely, stimulating autophagy by rapamycin not only revitalized the viability of middle-adult NPCs, but also facilitated the neurogenesis in middle-adult SVZ/SGZ. More importantly, autophagic activation by rapamycin also ameliorated the olfactory sensitivity and cognitional capacities in middle-adult mice. Taken together, our results reveal that compromised autophagy is involved in the decline of adult neurogenesis, which could be reversed by autophagy activation. It also shed light on the regulation of adult neurogenesis and paves the way for developing a therapeutic strategy for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueqin Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojie Niu
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Jiang
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yuan
- Hematology Center of Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Soochow University School of Medicine, 215123, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianrong Wang
- Hematology Center of Cyrus Tang Medical Institute, Soochow University School of Medicine, 215123, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengwu Zhang
- Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, 211816, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Kah-Leong Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 308232, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang Z, Ji J, Liu H. Drug Repurposing in Oncology: Current Evidence and Future Direction. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2175-2194. [PMID: 33109032 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327999200820124111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug repurposing, the application of known drugs and compounds with a primary non-oncology purpose, might be an attractive strategy to offer more effective treatment options to cancer patients at a low cost and reduced time. METHODS This review described a total of 10 kinds of non-oncological drugs from more than 100 mechanical studies as well as evidence from population-based studies. The future direction of repurposed drug screening is discussed by using patient-derived tumor organoids. RESULTS Many old drugs showed previously unknown effects or off-target effects and can be intelligently applied for cancer chemoprevention and therapy. The identification of repurposed drugs needs to combine evidence from mechanical studies and population-based studies. Due to the heterogeneity of cancer, patient-derived tumor organoids can be used to screen the non-oncological drugs in vitro. CONCLUSION These identified old drugs could be repurposed in oncology and might be added as adjuvants and finally benefit patients with cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianguang Ji
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Sweden
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Li Q, Ma Q, Cheng J, Zhou X, Pu W, Zhong X, Guo X. Dihydroartemisinin as a Sensitizing Agent in Cancer Therapies. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:2563-2573. [PMID: 33880035 PMCID: PMC8053502 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s297785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major threats to human health. Although humans have struggled with cancer for decades, the efficacy of treatments for most tumors is still very limited. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a derivative of artemisinin, a first-line antimalarial drug originally developed in China. Beyond the anti-malarial effect, DHA has also been reported to show anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitosis, and immune-modulating properties in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies report that DHA possesses anticancer activities on a wide range of cancer types both in vitro and in vivo, as well as enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and even radiotherapy. However, the mechanisms of DHA on different tumors differ in various ways. In this review, we intend to summarize how DHA sensitizes cancer cells to anti-cancer therapies, highlight its molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects in vitro and in vivo as well as in current clinical trials, and discuss potential issues concerning DHA. Hopefully, more attention will be paid to DHA as a sensitizer for cancer therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingrong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jibing Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Pu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Zhong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolan Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People's Republic of China
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Dai X, Zhang X, Chen W, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Mo S, Lu J. Dihydroartemisinin: A Potential Natural Anticancer Drug. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:603-622. [PMID: 33613116 PMCID: PMC7893584 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.50364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is an active metabolite of artemisinin and its derivatives (ARTs), and it is an effective clinical drug widely used to treat malaria. Recently, the anticancer activity of DHA has attracted increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is no systematic summary on the anticancer effects of DHA. Notably, studies have shown that DHA exerts anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, promoting immune function, inducing autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the latest progress regarding the anticancer activities of DHA in cancer. Importantly, the underlying anticancer molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of DHA in vitro and in vivo are the focus of our attention. Interestingly, new methods to improve the solubility and bioavailability of DHA are discussed, which greatly enhance its anticancer efficacy. Remarkably, DHA has synergistic anti-tumor effects with a variety of clinical drugs, and preclinical and clinical studies provide stronger evidence of its anticancer potential. Moreover, this article also gives suggestions for further research on the anticancer effects of DHA. Thus, we hope to provide a strong theoretical support for DHA as an anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuo Dai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Yihuan Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Saijun Mo
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
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Horton RH, Wileman T, Rushworth SA. Autophagy Driven Extracellular Vesicles in the Leukaemic Microenvironment. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 20:501-512. [PMID: 32342819 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620666200428111051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The leukaemias are a heterogeneous group of blood cancers, which together, caused 310,000 deaths in 2016. Despite significant research into their biology and therapeutics, leukaemia is predicted to account for an increased 470,000 deaths in 2040. Many subtypes remain without targeted therapy, and therefore the mainstay of treatment remains generic cytotoxic drugs with bone marrow transplant the sole definitive option. In this review, we will focus on cellular mechanisms which have the potential for therapeutic exploitation to specifically target and treat this devastating disease. We will bring together the disciplines of autophagy and extracellular vesicles, exploring how the dysregulation of these mechanisms can lead to changes in the leukaemic microenvironment and the subsequent propagation of disease. The dual effect of these mechanisms in the disease microenvironment is not limited to leukaemia; therefore, we briefly explore their role in autoimmunity, inflammation and degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca H Horton
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Wileman
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart A Rushworth
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom
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Li M, Liu J, Li S, Feng Y, Yi F, Wang L, Wei S, Cao L. Autophagy-related 7 modulates tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer. J Transl Med 2019; 99:1266-1274. [PMID: 30988371 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-019-0249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The exact role of autophagy in breast cancers remains elusive. In this study, we explored the potential functions of autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. Compared to normal breast tissue, a significantly lower expression of Atg7 was observed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but not other subtypes. A higher Atg7 expression was significantly associated with favorable clinicopathologic factors and better prognostic outcomes in patients with TNBC. Reflecting the clinical and pathologic observations, Atg7 was found to inhibit proliferation and migration, but promotes apoptosis in TNBC cell lines. Furthermore, Atg7 suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition through inhibiting aerobic glycolysis metabolism of TNBC cells. These findings provided novel molecular and clinical evidence of Atg7 in modulating the biological behavior of TNBC, thus warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jingwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Sihui Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yanling Feng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fei Yi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of pathology, The College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Shi Wei
- Section of Surgical Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Liu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University;, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
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