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Wu H, Huang D, Zhou H, Sima X, Wu Z, Sun Y, Wang L, Ruan Y, Wu Q, Wu F, She T, Chu Y, Huang Q, Ning Z, Zhang H. Metformin: A promising drug for human cancers. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:204. [PMID: 35720480 PMCID: PMC9178677 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule chemical drugs are of great significance for tumor-targeted and individualized therapies. However, the development of new small-molecule drugs, from basic experimental research and clinical trials to final application in clinical practice, is a long process that has a high cost. It takes at least 5 years for most drugs to be developed in the laboratory to prove their effectiveness and safety. Compared with the development of new drugs, repurposing traditional non-tumor drugs can be a shortcut. Metformin is a good model for a new use of an old drug. In recent years, the antitumor efficacy of metformin has attracted much attention. Epidemiological data and in vivo, and in vitro experiments have shown that metformin can reduce the incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes and has a strong antagonistic effect on metabolism-related tumors. Recent studies have shown that metformin can induce autophagy in esophageal cancer cells, mainly by inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways. In recent years, studies have shown that the antitumor functions and mechanisms of metformin are multifaceted. The present study aims to review the application of metformin in tumor prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongnian Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Enshi State Central Hospital, Enshi, Hubei 445099, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Xueqin Sima
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Yanling Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ying Ruan
- Department of Dermatology, Clinical Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wu
- Nursing School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Stomatology and Optometry School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Tonghui She
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ying Chu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Enshi State Central Hospital, Enshi, Hubei 445099, P.R. China
| | - Qizhi Huang
- Department of Clinical Lab, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Zhifeng Ning
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
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Pashaei-Asl R, Pashaiasl M, Ebrahimie E, Lale Ataei M, Paknejad M. Apoptotic effects of human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium on human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2022; 13:191-206. [PMID: 37431479 PMCID: PMC10329748 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2022.23813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer, as the most common malignancy among women, is shown to have a high mortality rate and resistance to chemotherapy. Research has shown the possible inhibitory role of Mesenchymal stem cells in curing cancer. Thus, the present work used human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (hAFMSCs-CM) as an apoptotic reagent on the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Methods Conditioned medium (CM) was prepared from hAFMSCs. After treating MCF-7 cells with CM, a number of analytical procedures (MTT, real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry) were recruited to evaluate the cell viability, Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression, P53 protein expression, and apoptosis, respectively. Human fibroblast cells (Hu02) were used as the negative control. In addition, an integrated approach to meta-analysis was performed. Results The MCF-7 cells' viability was decreased significantly after 24 hours (P < 0.0001) and 72 hours (P < 0.05) of treatment. Compared with the control cells, Bax gene's mRNA expression increased and Bcl-2's mRNA expression decreased considerably after treating for 24 hours with 80% hAFMSCs-CM (P = 0.0012, P < 0.0001, respectively); an increasing pattern in P53 protein expression could also be observed. The flow cytometry analysis indicated apoptosis. Results from literature mining and the integrated meta-analysis showed that hAFMSCs-CM is able to activate a molecular network where Bcl2 downregulation stands in harmony with the upregulation of P53, EIF5A, DDB2, and Bax, leading to the activation of apoptosis. Conclusion Our finding demonstrated that hAFMSCs-CM presents apoptotic effect on MCF-7 cells; therefore, the application of hAFMSCs-CM, as a therapeutic reagent, can suppress breast cancer cells' viabilities and induce apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghiyeh Pashaei-Asl
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Pashaiasl
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Genomics Research Platform, School of Life Sciences, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Maryam Lale Ataei
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
| | - Maliheh Paknejad
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Intranasal administration of Cytoglobin modifies human umbilical cord‑derived mesenchymal stem cells and improves hypoxic‑ischemia brain damage in neonatal rats by modulating p38 MAPK signaling‑mediated apoptosis. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:3493-3503. [PMID: 32945464 PMCID: PMC7453519 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic‑ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a common clinical syndrome in newborns. Hypothermia is the only approved therapy for the clinical treatment; however, the therapeutic window of hypothermia is confined to 6 h after birth and even then, >40% of the infants either die or survive with various impairments, including cerebral palsy, seizure disorder and intellectual disability following hypothermic treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine whether nasal transplantation of Cytoglobin (CYGB) genetically modified human umbilical cord‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (CYGB‑HuMSCs) exhibited protective effects in neonatal rats with HIBD compared with those treated without genetically modified CYGB. A total of 120 neonatal Sprague‑Dawley rats (postnatal day 7) were assigned to either a Sham, HIBD, HuMSCs or CYGB‑HuMSCs group (n = 30 rats/group). For HIBD modeling, rats underwent left carotid artery ligation and were exposed to 8% oxygen for 2.5 h. A total of 30 min after HI, HuMSCs (or CYGB‑HuMSCs) labeled with enhanced‑green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were intranasally administered. After modeling for 3, 14 and 29 days, five randomly selected rats were sacrificed in each group, and the expression levels of CYGB, ERK, JNK and p38 in brain tissues were determined. Nissl staining of the cortex and hippocampal Cornu Ammonis 1 area of rats in each group were compared after 3 days of modeling. TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence were performed 3 days after modeling. Long term memory in rats was assessed using a Morris‑water maze 29 days after modeling. The HIBD group demonstrated significant deficiencies compared with the Sham group based on Nissl staining, TUNEL assay and the Morris‑water maze test. HuMSC treated rats exhibited improvement on in all the tests, and CYGB‑HuMSCs treatment resulted in further improvements. PCR and western blotting results indicated that the CYGB mRNA and protein levels were increased from day 3 to day 29 after transplantation of CYGB‑HuMSCs. Furthermore, it was identified that CYGB‑HuMSC transplantation suppressed p38 signaling at all experimental time points. Immunofluorescence indicated the scattered presence of HuMSCs or CYGB‑HuMSCs in damaged brain tissue. No eGFP and glial fibrillary acidic protein or eGFP and neuron‑specific enolase double‑stained positive cells were found in the brain tissues. Therefore, CYGB‑HuMSCs may serve as a gene transporter, as well as exert a neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effect in HIBD, potentially via the p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway.
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Guo LL, Wang GC, Li PJ, Wang CM, Liu LB. Recombinant adenovirus expressing a dendritic cell-targeted melanoma surface antigen for tumor-specific immunotherapy in melanoma mice model. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:5394-5402. [PMID: 29844804 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors represent a potential strategy for the treatment of human malignant tumors. Currently, recombinant adenovirus vectors are commonly used as gene therapy vehicles, as it possesses a proven safety profile in normal human cells. The recombinant adenovirus system has an ability to highly express exogenous genes and increase the stability of the carrier, which is only transiently expressed in the host cell genome, without integrating. Malignant melanoma cells are produced by the skin, and melanocyte tumors that exhibit higher malignant degrees lead to earlier transfer and higher mortality. In the present study, a recombinant adenovirus (rAd) was generated to express Anti-programmed death-1 (rAd-Anti-PD-1) and used to investigate the efficacy in melanoma cells and tumors. The results demonstrated that B16-F10 cell growth was significantly inhibited and the apoptosis incidence rate was markedly promoted following rAd-PD-1 treatment. The present study demonstrated that the production of α and β interferon was increased, which led to the induction of dendritic cell (DCs) maturation in rAd-anti-PD-1-treated mice. The present study indicated that rAd-anti-PD-1 exhibited the ability to generate more cluster of differentiation (CD)4+CD8+ T cells and induce a PD-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte through DC-targeted surface antigens in mice. This resulted in a further enhanced recognition of melanoma cells due to DCs being targeted by the rAd-anti-PD-1-encoded PD-1. Notably, mice treated with the rAd-anti-PD-1-targeted PD-1 demonstrated an improved protection compared with tumor-bearing mice from the challenge group treated with a recombinant gutless adenovirus and Anti-PD-1. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that targeting the melanoma surface antigens via the rAd-anti-PD-1-infected tumor cells enhanced the ability of recombinant adenovirus to induce a potent tumor-inhibitory effect and antigen-specific immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Guo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Gang-Cheng Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Peng-Jie Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Mei Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Lin-Bo Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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Kim GS, Heo JR, Kim SU, Choi KC. Cancer-Specific Inhibitory Effects of Genetically Engineered Stem Cells Expressing Cytosine Deaminase and Interferon-β Against Choriocarcinoma in Xenografted Metastatic Mouse Models. Transl Oncol 2017; 11:74-85. [PMID: 29202279 PMCID: PMC5723382 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatments using stem cells expressing therapeutic genes have been identified for various types of cancers. In this study, we investigated inhibitory effects of HB1.F3.CD and HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β cells expressing Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD) and human interferon-β (IFN-β) genes in intravenously (i.v.) injected mice with a metastasis model. In this treatment, pro-drug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) is converted to cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil by hNSCs expressing the CD gene, which inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Moreover, IFN-β induces apoptosis and reduces the growth of cancer cells. Upon MTT assay, proliferation of choriocarcinoma (JEG-3) cells decreased when co-cultured with hNSCs expressing CD and IFN-β genes. To confirm the cancer-tropic effect of these stem cells, chemoattractant factors (VEGF, CXCR4, and C-kit) secreted from JEG-3 cells were identified by polymerase chain reaction. hNSCs migrate toward JEG-3 cells due to ligand-receptor interactions of these factors. Accordingly, the migration capability of hNSCs toward JEG-3 cells was confirmed using an in vitro Trans-well assay, in vivo subcutaneously (s.c.) injected mice groups (xenograft model), and metastasis model. Intravenously injected hNSCs migrated freely to other organs when compared to s.c. injected hNSCs. Thus, we confirmed the inhibition of lung and ovarian metastasis of choriocarcinoma by i.v. injected HB1.F3.CD or HB1.F3.CD.IFN-β cells in the presence of 5-FC. Treatment of these stem cells also increased the survival rates of mice. In conclusion, this study showed that metastatic cancer was diminished by genetically engineered hNSCs and noncytotoxic drug 5-FC. This is the first report of the therapeutic potential of i.v. injected hNSCs in a metastasis model; therefore, the results indicate that this stem cell therapy can be used as an alternative novel tool to treat metastatic choriocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyu-Sik Kim
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Rim Heo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung U Kim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea; Institute of Life Science and Bio-Engineering, TheraCell Bio & Science, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
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Luo C, Lü D, Pan J, Long M. Improving the Gene Transfection in Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Balancing with Cytotoxicity and Pluripotent Maintenance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:8367-8375. [PMID: 26971622 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Manipulation of genes in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is imperative for their highly potential applications; however, the transduction efficiency remains very low. Although existing evidence revealed the type, size, and zeta potential of vector affect gene transfection efficiency in cells, the systematic study in hESCs is scarce. In this study, using poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers ended with amine, hydroxyl, or carboxyl as model, we tested the influences of size and surface group as well as cytotoxicity and endocytosis on hESC gene transfection. We found that in culture medium of mTeSR the particle sizes of G5, G7, G4.5COOH, and G5OH were around 5 nm and G1 had a smaller size of 3.14 nm. G5 and G7 had a slight and significant positive zeta potential, respectively, whereas G1 was slightly negative, and G4.5COOH and G5OH were significantly negative. We demonstrated that only amine-terminated dendrimers accomplished gene transfection in hESCs, which is greater than that from Lipofectamine 2000 transfection. Ten micromolar G5 had the greatest efficiency and was better than 1000 μM G1. Only a low concentration (0.5 and 1 μM) of G7 realized gene delivery. Amine-ended dendrimers, especially with higher generations, were detrimental to the growth and pluripotent maintenance of hESCs. In contrast, similarly sized hydroxyl- and carboxyl-terminated dendrimers exerted much lower cytotoxicity, in which carboxyl-terminated dendrimer maintained pluripotency of hESCs. We also confirmed the endocytosis into and significant exocytosis from hESCs using FITC-labeled G5 dendrimer. These results suggested that careful considerations of size, concentration, and zeta potential, particularly the identity and position of groups, as well as minimized exocytosis in the design of a vector for hESC gene delivery are necessary, which helps to better design an effective vector in hESC gene transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Luo
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University , Chongqing 400044, China
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dongyuan Lü
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jun Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University , Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory) and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, China
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Liu H, Ren C, Zhu B, Wang L, Liu W, Shi J, Lin J, Xia X, Zeng F, Chen J, Jiang X. High-Efficient Transfection of Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Single-Cell Plating and Starvation. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:477-91. [PMID: 26772602 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the low efficiency of small interfering RNA (siRNA) or plasmid DNA (pDNA) transfection is a critical issue in genetic manipulation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Development of an efficient transfection method for delivery of siRNAs and plasmids into hES cells becomes more and more imperative. In this study, we tried to modify the traditional transfection protocol by introducing two crucial processes, single-cell plating and starvation, to increase the transfection efficiency in hES cells. Furthermore, we comparatively examined the transfection efficiency of some commercially available siRNA or pDNA transfection reagents in hES cells. Our results showed that the new developed method markedly enhanced the transfection efficiency without influencing the proliferation and pluripotency of hES cells. Lipofectamine RNAiMAX exhibited much higher siRNA transfection efficiency than the other reagents, and FuGENE HD was identified as the best suitable reagent for efficient pDNA transfection of hES cells among the tested reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Caiping Ren
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhu
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Weidong Liu
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Shi
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxing Lin
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomeng Xia
- 2 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Zeng
- 3 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Chen
- 1 Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingjun Jiang
- 4 Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Cancer drugs are broadly classified into two categories: cytotoxic chemotherapies and targeted therapies that specifically modulate the activity of one or more proteins involved in cancer. Major advances have been achieved in targeted cancer therapies in the past few decades, which is ascribed to the increasing understanding of molecular mechanisms for cancer initiation and progression. Consequently, monoclonal antibodies and small molecules have been developed to interfere with a specific molecular oncogenic target. Targeting gain-of-function mutations, in general, has been productive. However, it has been a major challenge to use standard pharmacologic approaches to target loss-of-function mutations of tumor suppressor genes. Novel approaches, including synthetic lethality and collateral vulnerability screens, are now being developed to target gene defects in p53, PTEN, and BRCA1/2. Here, we review and summarize the recent findings in cancer genomics, drug development, and molecular cancer biology, which show promise in targeting tumor suppressors in cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhua Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoxiao Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Bio Sensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Cecil Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liana Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xinna Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoming He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiongbin Lu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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