Protein expression profiles that underpin the preventive and therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera Lam against azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis

Redox modulation of vitagenes via plant polyphenols and vitamin D: Novel insights for chemoprevention and therapeutic interventions based on organoid technology

Polyphenols are chemopreventive through the induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated proteins and anti-inflammatory pathways. These pathways, encoding cytoprotective vitagenes, include heat shock proteins, such as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), as well as glutathione redox system to protect against cancer initiation and progression. Phytochemicals exhibit biphasic dose responses on cancer cells, activating at low dose, signaling pathways resulting in upregulation of vitagenes, as in the case of the Nrf2 pathway upregulated by hydroxytyrosol (HT) or curcumin and NAD/NADH-sirtuin-1 activated by resveratrol. Here, the importance of vitagenes in redox stress response and autophagy mechanisms, as well as the potential use of dietary antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of multiple types of cancer are discussed. We also discuss the possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2, inflammation and cancer, exploiting innovative therapeutic approaches with HT-rich aqueous olive pulp extract (Hidrox®), a natural polyphenolic formulation, as well as the rationale of Vitamin D supplementation. Finally, we describe innovative approaches with organoids technology to study human carcinogenesis in preclinical models from basic cancer research to clinical practice, suggesting patient-derived organoids as an innovative tool to test drug toxicity and drive personalized therapy.

High expression of PPM1G is associated with the progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

PPM1G, a member of the serine/threonine protease family, dephosphorylates various proteins and may be involved in cancer development. The role and mechanism of PPM1G in HCC still needs to be verified.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the role of PPM1G in the occurrence, development and prognosis of HCC.

METHODS

Using bioinformatics (UALCAN, cBioPortal, Linkedomics, STRING and GSEA) to analyze the expression of PPM1G mRNA in HCC, its clinical relevance and possible involved signaling pathways. The expression of PPM1G protein was determined by immunohistochemistry in 311 cases of HCC to evaluate the association between PPM1G and clinical features and prognosis.

RESULTS

The expression of PPM1G was significantly upregulated in HCC (P< 0.001), correlated with the metastasis (P= 0.020), pathological grade of HCC (P= 0.032), microvascular invasion (P= 0.040), and HBV infection (P= 0.041). Cox multivariate regression showed high expression of PPM1G was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Its role in HCC may relate to methylation and frequency mutation. Furthermore, the database showed PPM1G is involved in the signal pathway such as cell cycle, WNT pathway, and mTOR pathway in HCC.

CONCLUSION

PPM1G showed an essential function involving in tumor-related pathways in HCC, providing a biological basis for targeted treatment of HCC clinically.