Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K-Akt-mTOR) signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

The safety and efficacy of binimetinib for lung cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer, accounting for a significant proportion of global cancer cases and deaths, poses a considerable health burden. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options due to late-stage diagnosis and drug resistance. Dysregulated of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is implicated in NSCLC pathogenesis, underscores the potential of MEK inhibitors such as binimetinib. Despite promising results in other cancers, comprehensive studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of binimetinib in lung cancer are lacking. This systematic review aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of binimetinib for lung cancer treatment.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar until September 2023. Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy or safety of binimetinib for lung cancer treatment were included. Studies were excluded if they included individuals with conditions unrelated to lung cancer, investigated other treatments, or had different types of designs. The quality assessment was conducted utilizing the National Institutes of Health tool.

RESULTS

Seven studies with 228 participants overall were included. Four had good quality judgments, and three had fair quality judgments. The majority of patients experienced all-cause adverse events, with diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea being the most commonly reported adverse events of any grade. The objective response rate (ORR) was up to 75%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was up to 9.3 months. The disease control rate after 24 weeks varied from 41% to 64%. Overall survival (OS) ranged between 3.0 and 18.8 months. Notably, treatment-related adverse events were observed in more than 50% of patients, including serious adverse events such as colitis, febrile neutropenia, and pulmonary infection. Some adverse events led to dose limitation and drug discontinuation in five studies. Additionally, five studies reported cases of death, mostly due to disease progression. The median duration of treatment ranged from 14.8 weeks to 8.4 months. The most common dosage of binimetinib was 30 mg or 45 mg twice daily, sometimes used in combination with other agents like encorafenib or hydroxychloroquine.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a few studies have shown binimetinib to be effective, in terms of improving OS, PFS, and ORR, while most of the studies found nonsignificant efficacy with increased toxicity for binimetinib compared with traditional chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are recommended.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (PiRNAs) as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in biliary tract cancers: A comprehensive review

Cancers affecting the biliary tract, such as gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, make up a small percentage of adult gastrointestinal malignancies, but their incidence is on the rise. Due to the lack of dependable molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, these cancers are often not detected until later stages and have limited treatment options. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a type of small noncoding RNA that interacts with Piwi proteins and has been linked to various diseases, especially cancer. Manipulation of piRNA expression has the potential to serve as an important biomarker and target for therapy. This review uncovers the relationship between PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) and a variety of gastrointestinal cancers, including biliary tract cancer (BTC). It is evident that piRNAs have the ability to impact gene expression and regulate key genes and pathways related to the advancement of digestive cancers. Abnormal expression of piRNAs plays a significant role in the development and progression of digestive-related malignancies. The potential of piRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as therapeutic targets in BTC, is noteworthy. Nevertheless, there are obstacles and limitations that require further exploration to fully comprehend piRNAs' role in BTC and to devise effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches using piRNAs. In summary, this review underscores the value of piRNAs as valuable biomarkers and promising targets for treating BTC, as we delve into the association between piRNAs and various gastrointestinal cancers, including BTC, and how piRNAs can impact gene expression and control essential pathways for digestive cancer advancement. The present research consists of a thorough evaluation presented in a storytelling style. The databases utilized to locate original sources were PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, and the search was conducted using the designated keywords.

Clinical research progress of ridaforolimus (AP23573, MK8668) over the past decade: a systemic review

Rapamycin, an established mTOR inhibitor in clinical practice, is widely recognized for its therapeutic efficacy. Ridaforolimus, a non-prodrug rapalog, offers improved aqueous solubility, stability, and affinity compared to rapamycin. In recent years, there has been a surge in clinical trials involving ridaforolimus. We searched PubMed for ridaforolimus over the past decade and selected clinical trials of ridaforolimus to make a summary of the research progress of ridaforolimus in clinical trials. The majority of these trials explored the application of ridaforolimus in treating various tumors, including endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and other solid tumors. These trials employed diverse drug combinations, incorporating agents such as ponatinib, bicalutamide, dalotuzumab, MK-2206, MK-0752, and taxanes. The outcomes of these trials unveiled the diverse potential applications of ridaforolimus in disease treatment. Our review encompassed analyses of signaling pathways, ridaforolimus as a single therapeutic agent, its compatibility in combination with other drugs, and an assessment of adverse events (AEs). We conclude by recommending further research to advance our understanding of ridaforolimus's clinical applications.

Mechanism of anticancer effect of ETP-45658, a PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitor on HT-29 Cells

The PI3K pathway plays a crucial role in tumor cell proliferation across various cancers, including colon cancer, making it a promising treatment target. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity of ETP-45658, a PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitor, on colon cancer and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. HT-29 colon cancer cells were treated with varying doses of ETP 45658 and its cytotoxic effect assessed using the XTT cell viability assay.ELISA was also used to measure TAS, TOS, Bax, BCL-2, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, and 8-oxo-dG levels. Flow cytometry was performed to investigate apoptosis, cell cycle, caspase 3/7 activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, following the administration of DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) dye, the cells were visualized using an immunofluorescence microscope. It was observed that ETP-45658 exerted a dose-dependent and statistically significant antiproliferative effect on HT-29 colon cancer cells. Further investigations using the IC50 dose showed that ETP-45658 decreased TAS levels and increased TOS levels and revealed that it upregulated apoptotic proteins while downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins. Our findings also showed that it increased Annexin V binding, arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, induced caspase 3/7 activity, impaired mitochondrial membrane potential, and ultimately triggered apoptosis in HT-29 cells. ETP-45658 shows promise against colon cancer by inducing cell death, and oxidative stress, and arresting the cell cycle. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with ETP-45658 offers exciting potential for colon cancer treatment.

The crosstalk between non-coding RNA polymorphisms and resistance to lung cancer therapies

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common cancer-related mortality in the world. Even with intensive multimodality therapies, lung cancer has a poor prognosis and a high morbidity rate. This review focused on the role of non-coding RNA polymorphisms such as lncRNAs and miRNAs in the resistance to LC therapies, which could open promising avenue for better therapeutic response. Of note, there is currently no valid biomarker to predict lung cancer sensitivity in patients during treatment. Since genetic variations cause many challenges in treating patients, genotyping of known polymorphisms must be thoroughly explored to find desirable treatment platforms. With this knowledge, individualized treatments could become more possible in management of LC.

Tumor-associated macrophages mediate resistance of EGFR-TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer: mechanisms and prospects

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are the first-line standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation. However, resistance to EGFR-TKIs is inevitable. Currently, most studies on the mechanism of EGFR-TKIs resistance mainly focus on the spontaneous resistance phenotype of NSCLC cells. Studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) also mediates EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the central immune cells in the TME of NSCLC, play an essential role in mediating EGFR-TKIs resistance. This study aims to comprehensively review the current mechanisms underlying TAM-mediated resistance to EGFR-TKIs and discuss the potential efficacy of combining EGFR-TKIs with targeted TAMs therapy. Combining EGFR-TKIs with TAMs targeting may improve the prognosis of NSCLC with EGFR mutation to some extent.

Effect of Apremilast on LPS-induced immunomodulation and inflammation via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in rat lungs

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the lipid component of gram-negative bacterial cell wall, is recognized as the key factor in acute lung inflammation and is found to exhibit severe immunologic reactions. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor: "apremilast (AP)" is an immune suppressant and anti-inflammatory drug which introduced to treat psoriatic arthritis. The contemporary experiment designed to study the protective influences of AP against LPS induced lung injury in rodents. Twenty-four (24) male experimental Wistar rats selected, acclimatized, and administered with normal saline, LPS, or AP + LPS respectively from 1 to 4 groups. The lung tissues were evaluated for biochemical parameters (MPO), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), flowcytometry assay, gene expressions, proteins expression and histopathological examination. AP ameliorates the lung injuries by attenuating immunomodulation and inflammation. LPS exposure upregulated IL-6, TNF-α, and MPO while downregulating IL-4 which were restored in AP pretreated rats. The changes in immunomodulation markers by LPS were reduced by AP treatment. Furthermore, results from the qPCR analysis represented an upregulation in IL-1β, MPO, TNF-α, and p38 whereas downregulated in IL-10 and p53 gene expressions in disease control animals while AP pretreated rats exhibited significant reversal in these expressions. Western blot analysis suggested an upregulation of MCP-1, and NOS-2, whereas HO-1, and Nrf-2 expression were suppressed in LPS exposed animals, while pretreatment with AP showed down regulation in the expression MCP-1, NOS-2, and upregulation of HO-1, and Nrf-2 expression of the mentioned intracellular proteins. Histological studies further affirmed the toxic influences of LPS on the pulmonary tissues. It is concluded that, LPS exposure causes pulmonary toxicities via up regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and stimulation of IL-1β, MPO, TNF-α, p38, MCP-1, and NOS-2 while downregulation of IL-4, IL-10, p53, HO-1, and Nrf-2 at different expression level. Pretreatment with AP controlled the toxic influences of LPS by modulating these signaling pathways.

Natural products modulate cell apoptosis: a promising way for treating endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prevalent epithelial malignancy in the uterine corpus's endometrium and myometrium. Regulating apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells has been a promising approach for treating EC. Recent in-vitro and in-vivo studies show that numerous extracts and monomers from natural products have pro-apoptotic properties in EC. Therefore, we have reviewed the current studies regarding natural products in modulating the apoptosis of EC cells and summarized their potential mechanisms. The potential signaling pathways include the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) mediated apoptotic pathway, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediated apoptotic pathway, NF-κB-mediated apoptotic pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR mediated apoptotic pathway, the p21-mediated apoptotic pathway, and other reported pathways. This review focuses on the importance of natural products in treating EC and provides a foundation for developing natural products-based anti-EC agents.

Atractylodin induces oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through inhibition of the P13K/Akt/mTOR pathway

This study aimed to determine the apoptosis and autophagy-inducing mechanism of atractylodin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The molecular mechanism of anticancer activity of atractylodin was confirmed by assessing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidants activity, dual staining, and comet assay. Moreover, cleaved caspases 3, 8, and 9, and signaling proteins, such as p53, Bcl-2, and Bax, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(P13K/Akt/mTOR), LC3I and LC3II, and beclin-1 were analyzed. In MCF-7 cells treated with atractylodin, the concentration-dependent toxicity, increased LPO, increased production of ROS, and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidasewere observed. In MCF-7 cells, atractylodin administration decreased Bcl-2 expression while activating the expression of p53, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 apoptotic members. Furthermore, atractylodin blocked the P13K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, increased the conversion of LC3I to its lipidated form of LC3II, and increased beclin-1 expression, whereas downregulated the p62 expression in MCF-7 cells. As a result, altering apoptotic and autophagy-related biomarkers, atractylodin triggered apoptosis and autophagy in MCF-7 cells. As a result, atractylodin could be utilized to treat human breast cancer after the proper clinical trial.

β-elemene suppresses tumor metabolism and stem cell-like properties of non-small cell lung cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Multi-drug resistance remains a critical issue in cancer treatment that hinders the effective use of chemotherapeutic drugs. The active components of traditional Chinese medicine have been applied as adjuvants to accentuate the anticancer properties of conventional drugs such as cisplatin. However, their application requires further validation and optimization. This study explored the anticancer activity of β-elemene, a natural component of traditional Chinese medical formulations. The effect of β-elemene on the anticancer properties of cisplatin was evaluated in A549 and NCI-H1650 lung cancer cells. Cell apoptosis, stem-like properties, glucose metabolism, multi-drug resistance, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation were assessed via flow cytometry, tumorsphere formation, and western blotting. The target genes of β-elemene were predicted using bioinformatics tools and validated in both cell lines. A xenograft model of lung cancer was established in nude mice to evaluate the combined effects of β-elemene and cisplatin in vivo. We found that β-elemene acted synergistically with cisplatin against non-small cell lung cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and impairing glucose metabolism, multi-drug resistance, and stemness maintenance. These effects were mediated by the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that RB1 and TP53 are common target genes associated with lung cancer and β-elemene. The anti-tumorigenic properties of β-elemene were confirmed in vivo, wherein β-elemene, along with cisplatin, significantly suppressed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model of non-small cell lung cancer. As such, β-elemene acted as an inhibitor of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and enhanced the anticancer effect of cisplatin by targeting tumor metabolism, chemoresistance, and stem-like behavior. Thus, β-elemene is an effective anticancer adjuvant agent with potential clinical applications.

Clinic and genetic similarity assessments of atypical carcinoid, neuroendocrine neoplasm with atypical carcinoid morphology and elevated mitotic count and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Background

Pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms can be divided into typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell (lung) carcinoma. According to the World Health Organization, these four neoplasms have different characteristics and morphological traits, mitotic counts, and necrotic status. Importantly, “a grey-zone” neoplasm with an atypical carcinoid-like morphology, where the mitotic rate exceeds the criterion of 10 mitoses per 2 mm², have still not been well classified. In clinical practice, the most controversial area is the limit of 11 mitoses to distinguish between atypical carcinoids and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Methods

Basic and clinical information was obtained from patient medical records. A series of grey-zone patients (n = 8) were selected for exploring their clinicopathological features. In addition, patients with atypical carcinoids (n = 9) and classical large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (n = 14) were also included to compare their similarity to these neoplasms with respect to tumour morphology and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

We found that these grey-zone tumour sizes varied and affected mainly middle-aged and older men who smoked. Furthermore, similar gene mutations were found in the grey-zone neoplasms and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, for the mutated genes of these two are mainly involved in PI3K-Akt signal pathways and Pathways in cancer, including a biallelic alteration of TP53/RB1 and KEAP1.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that neuroendocrine neoplasm with atypical carcinoid morphology and elevated mitotic counts is more similar to large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma than atypical carcinoid. Furthermore, this study may help improve diagnosing these special cases in clinical practice to avoid misdiagnosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09391-w.

Regulation of osteoblast autophagy based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway study on the effect of β-ecdysterone on fracture healing

Objectives

To investigate the effects of β-ecdysterone on fracture healing and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

MTT assay was used to detect the cell viability. AO/PI and flow cytometry assays were used to determine the apoptotic rate. The expression level of RunX2, ATG7 and LC3 was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. X-ray and HE staining were conducted on the fractured femur. Immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expression level of Beclin-1 and immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression level of LC3 in the fractured femurs. Western blot was utilized to determine the expression level of PI3K, p-AKT1, AKT1, p-mTOR, mTOR, p-p70S6K, and p70S6K.

Results

The ALP activity and the expression of RunX2 in fractured osteoblasts were significantly elevated, the apoptotic rate was suppressed by rapamycin, 60, and 80 μM β-ecdysterone. The state of autophagy both in fractured osteoblasts and femurs was facilitated by rapamycin and β-ecdysterone. Compared to control, Garrett score was significantly promoted in rapamycin and β-ecdysterone groups, accompanied by ameliorated pathological state. Lastly, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway both in fractured osteoblasts and femurs was inhibited by rapamycin and β-ecdysterone.

Conclusion

β-ecdysterone might facilitate fracture healing by activating autophagy through suppressing PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

Yang-Yin-Jie-Du decoction overcomes gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer via down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

CONTEXT

Yang-Yin-Jie-Du Decoction (YYJDD) was used to improve gefitinib efficacy in our clinical practice, but its mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored if YYJDD could reverse gefitinib resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

H1975 cells were exposed to control, 10 μM gefitinib, 3.2 mg/mL YYJDD or combination treatment. Cell viability was detected by MTT during 0-96 h. Apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt proteins were tested by flow cytometry and western-blot at 24 h. LY294002 was applied to further determine the role of the PI3K/Akt. 23 BALB/c nude xenograft mice received normal saline (n = 5), 80 mg/kg gefitinib (n = 6), 2.35 g/kg lyophilised powder of YYJDD (n = 6) or combination treatment (n = 6) by gavage for 4 weeks and submitted to TUNEL, immunohistochemistry, and western-blot.

RESULTS

In vitro, gefitinib (IC₅₀: 20.68 ± 2.06 μM) and YYJDD (IC₅₀: 6.6 ± 0.21 mg/mL) acted in a moderate synergistic way. Combination treatment inhibited cell viability from 100% to 25.66%. Compared to gefitinb (33.23 ± 3.99%), cell apoptosis was increased with combination treatment (54.11 ± 7.32%), accompanied by down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt. LY294002 further inhibited cell viability, increased apoptosis, and down-regulated p-Akt/Akt. In vivo, the tumour sizes in the combination group (1165.13 ± 157.79 mm³) were smaller than gefitinib alone (1630.66 ± 208.30 mm³). The positive rate of TUNEL staining was increased by combination treatment (22.33 ± 2.75%) versus gefitinib (7.37 ± 0.87%), while the PI3K/Akt was down-regulated.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

YYJDD has potential to overcome gefitinib resistance. Future investigations should be focussed on its specific targets.

A Dual PI3K/HDAC Inhibitor Downregulates Oncogenic Pathways in Hematologic Tumors In Vitro and In Vivo

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of compound 23, a PI3K/HDAC dual-target inhibitor, on hematologic tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The MTS Kit was used to study the antiproliferative effects in vitro. Western blot was used to analyze the involved signaling pathways. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and the cell cycle. The antiproliferative effects were evaluated in vivo using EL4 and A20 xenograft models. The CCLE database was used to analyze gene expression. Results: Compound 23 significantly inhibited the proliferation of hematologic tumors; it simultaneously regulated PI3K/HDAC pathways and induced apoptosis and G1-phase arrest in EL4, NB4, and A20 cells in vitro. When tested in vivo, compound 23 significantly inhibited the proliferation of EL4 and A20. The expression levels of ErbB2 and ErbB3 decreased in hematologic tumors compared with it in solid tumors. Conclusion: Compound 23 modulates the PI3K/HDAC pathway, which results in significant inhibition of hematologic tumor proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The differential levels of ERBB2 and ERBB3 might be related to the difference in the effect of compound 23 on hematologic tumors and solid tumors.

Identification of Clinical Candidate M2698, a Dual p70S6K and Akt Inhibitor, for Treatment of PAM Pathway-Altered Cancers

Herein, we report the discovery of a novel class of quinazoline carboxamides as dual p70S6k/Akt inhibitors for the treatment of tumors driven by alterations to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR (PAM) pathway. Through the screening of in-house proprietary kinase library, 4-benzylamino-quinazoline-8-carboxylic acid amide 1 stood out, with sub-micromolar p70S6k biochemical activity, as the starting point for a structurally enabled p70S6K/Akt dual inhibitor program that led to the discovery of M2698, a dual p70S6k/Akt inhibitor. M2698 is kinase selective, possesses favorable physical, chemical, and DMPK profiles, is orally available and well tolerated, and displayed tumor control in multiple in vivo studies of PAM pathway-driven tumors.

Dual targeting of MEK and PI3K effectively controls the proliferation of human EGFR-TKI resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines with different genetic backgrounds

Background

Molecular targeted therapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is restricted due to resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study evaluated the effects of dual targeting of MEK and PI3K in human EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC cell lines.

Methods

EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC cell lines H1975, H460, and A549, with different mutation and amplification status in EGFR, K-RAS, PIK3CA, and MET genes, were treated with a MEK162 (MEK inhibitor) and BKM120 (PI3K inhibitor) combination or a BIBW2992 (EGFR inhibitor) and ARQ197 (MET inhibitor) combination and assayed for cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution.

Results

Dual targeting of MEK and PI3K efficiently inhibited the cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and the G0/G1 cell cycle, and decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT, S6, and 4E-BP1. H460 cells with K-RAS and PIK3CA mutation were most sensitive to MEK162 and BKM120 combinations. H1975 cells with EGFR and PIK3CA mutation and MET amplification were sensitive to BIBW2992 and ARQ197 combinations.

Conclusion

Dual targeting regulated the proliferation of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells, especially mutants in K-RAS and PIK3CA that are promising for EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC therapeutics.

A comprehensive mechanistic insight into the dietary and estrogenic lignans, arctigenin and sesamin as potential anticarcinogenic and anticancer agents. Current status, challenges, and future perspectives

A large body of evidence indicates that lignans as polyphenolic compounds are beneficial against life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Plant lignans have the potential to induce cancer cell death and interfere with carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. Epidemiological studies have revealed that the intake of lignans is inversely associated with the risk of several cancers. Moreover, numerous experimental studies demonstrate that natural lignans significantly suppress cancer cell proliferation with minimal toxicity against non-transformed cells. Dietary lignans arctigenin and sesamin have been found to have potent antiproliferative activities against various types of human cancer. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying anticancer effects of arctigenin and sesamin. Our review comprehensively describes the effects of arctigenin and sesamin on the signaling pathways and related molecules involved in cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The findings of present review show that the dietary lignans arctigenin and sesamin seem to be promising carcinopreventive and anticancer agents. These natural lignans can be used as dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals for prevention and treatment of cancer.

Identification of hub driving genes and regulators of lung adenocarcinoma based on the gene Co-expression network

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate target gene expression and participate in tumor genesis and progression. However, hub driving genes and regulators playing a potential role in LUAD progression have not been fully elucidated yet. Based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, 2837 differentially expressed genes, 741 DE-regulators were screened by comparing cancer tissues with paracancerous tissues. Then, 651 hub driving genes were selected by the topological relation of the protein-protein interaction network. Also, the target genes of DE-regulators were identified. Moreover, a key gene set containing 65 genes was obtained from the hub driving genes and target genes intersection. Subsequently, 183 hub regulators were selected based on the analysis of node degree in the ceRNA network. Next, a comprehensive analysis of the subgroups and Wnt, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways was conducted to understand enrichment of the subgroups. Survival analysis and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were further used to screen for the key genes and regulators. Furthermore, we verified key molecules based on external database, LRRK2, PECAM1, EPAS1, LDB2, and HOXA11-AS showed good results. LRRK2 was further identified as promising biomarker associated with CNV alteration and various immune cells' infiltration levels in LUAD. Overall, the present study provided a novel perspective and insight into hub driving genes and regulators in LUAD, suggesting that the identified signature could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker.

The Association of microRNA-34a With High Incidence and Metastasis of Lung Cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei Yunnan

The incidence and associated mortality of lung cancer in tin miners in Gejiu County and farmers in Xuanwei Country, Yunnan Province have been very high in the world. Current published literatures on the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer initiation and progression in Gejiu and Xuanwei County are still controversial. Studies confirmed that microRNA-34a (miR-34a) functioned as a vital tumor suppressor in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role and precise mechanisms of miR-34a and its regulatory gene network in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County, Yunnan Province, have not been elucidated. In the current study, we first found that miR-34a was downregulated in Gejiu lung squamous carcinoma YTMLC-90, Xuanwei lung adenocarcinoma XWLC-05, and other non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, and miR-34a overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as induced cell apoptosis in YTMLC-90 and XWLC-05 cells. Our findings revealed that miR-34a is critical and cannot be considered as the area-specific non-coding RNA in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County. Next we revealed that miR-34a overexpression suppressed lung cancer growth and metastasis partially via increasing PTEN but reducing CDK6 expression that might lead to subsequent inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that YY1 functioned as a tumor suppressor gene in initiation and progression of lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei County. In conclusion, our findings in the study confirmed that miR-34a overexpression could simultaneously suppress tumor growth and metastasis and play a vital role in tumorigenesis and progression of NSCLC via increasing PTEN and YY1 expression, but decreasing CDK6. Most interestingly, our findings also raised doubts about the current ideas about these area-specific diseases.

Natural Polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, VII) Reverses Cancer Through Apoptosis, Autophagy, Mitophagy, Inflammation, and Necroptosis

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have limited success because of secondary resistance. Therefore, safe, non-resistant, less toxic, and convenient drugs are urgently required. Natural products (NPs), primarily sourced from medicinal plants, are ideal for cancer treatment because of their low toxicity and high success. NPs cure cancer by regulating different pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ER stress, JNK, Wnt, STAT3, MAPKs, NF-kB, MEK-ERK, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, mitophagy, and necroptosis. Among the NPs, steroid saponins, including polyphyllins (I, II, D, VI, and VII), have potent pharmacological, analgesic, and anticancer activities for the induction of cytotoxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that polyphyllins (PPs) possess potent effects against different cancers through apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and necroptosis. This review summarizes the available studies on PPs against cancer to provide a basis for future research.

Combination effect of curcumin with docetaxel on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to induce autophagy and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel (DTX) is widely used to treat many malignant tumors but has many adverse effects. Curcumin (CUR) also has effects on a variety of tumor cells and can reduce the toxicity and side effects of chemotherapy drugs and the occurrence of drug resistance. However, the combination of CUR and DTX for treating esophageal cancer has not been reported.

METHODS

Human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) KYSE150 and KYSE510 cells were treated with CUR or DTX alone or both drugs and cancer cell viability was detected by CCK8, apoptosis, scratch-healing and migration assays. Electron microscopy and Western blots were used. In vivo experiments were used observe anti-tumor effects.

RESULTS

CUR combined with DTX significantly inhibited the viability and migration of esophageal cancer cells (P<0.01) and further promoted the apoptosis of cancer cells. In addition, CUR induced autophagy in esophageal cancer cells when combined with DTX. DTX combined with CUR may induce apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The compound 3-methyladenine (3MA) inhibited the autophagy induced by DTX and CUR (DC), further accelerated apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells when combined with DC.

CONCLUSION

CUR combined with DTX induced apoptosis and autophagy of ESCC and probably worked through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The combination of the autophagy inhibitor, CUR and DTX may become a new treatment strategy for esophageal cancer.

Creation of a Prognostic Risk Prediction Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Gene Expression, Methylation, and Clinical Characteristics

Background

This study aimed to identify important marker genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LACC) and establish a prognostic risk model to predict the risk of LACC in patients.

Material/Methods

Gene expression and methylation profiles for LACC and clinical information about cases were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) between cancer and control groups were selected through meta-analysis. Pearson coefficient correlation analysis was performed to identify intersections between DEGs and DMGs and a functional analysis was performed on the genes that were correlated. Marker genes and clinical factors significantly related to prognosis were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Risk prediction models were then created based on the marker genes and clinical factors.

Results

In total, 1975 DEGs and 2095 DMGs were identified. After comparison, 16 prognosis-related genes (EFNB2, TSPAN7, INPP5A, VAMP2, CALML5, SNAI2, RHOBTB1, CKB, ATF7IP2, RIMS2, RCBTB2, YBX1, RAB27B, NFATC1, TCEAL4, and SLC16A3) were selected from 265 overlapping genes. Four clinical factors (pathologic N [node], pathologic T [tumor], pathologic stage, and new tumor) were associated with prognosis. The prognostic risk prediction models were constructed and validated with other independent datasets.

Conclusions

An integrated model that combines clinical factors and gene markers is useful for predicting risk of LACC in patients. The 16 genes that were identified, including EFNB2, TSPAN7, INPP5A, VAMP2, and CALML5, may serve as novel biomarkers for diagnosis of LACC and prediction of disease prognosis.

Role of microRNA-33a in malignant cells

Cancer causes most of the mortality and morbidity worldwide, with a significant increase in incidence during recent years. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are non-coding small RNAs capable of regulating gene expression. They regulate crucial cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, metastasis and apoptosis. Therefore, abnormal miRNA expression is associated with multiple diseases, including cancer. There are two types of cancer-associated miRNAs, oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs, depending on their roles and expression patterns in cancer. Accordingly, miRNAs are considered to be targets for cancer prevention and treatment. miR-33a controls cellular cholesterol uptake and synthesis, which are both closely associated with carcinogenesis. The present review thoroughly describes the roles of miR-33a in more than a dozen types of cancer and the underlying mechanisms. Accordingly, the present review may serve as a guide for researchers studying the involvement of miR-33a in diverse cancer settings.

Downregulation of KIAA1199 by miR-486-5p suppresses tumorigenesis in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the primary cause of death among cancer patients in China, among which nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up the great majority. Hence, it is imperative to identify the biomarkers and mechanisms involved in NSCLC oncogenesis. Our present research found that KIAA1199 expression was significantly increased in NSCLC and closely related to cell proliferation, motility, and poor prognosis. We demonstrated that knockdown of KIAA1199 reduced NSCLC cell growth and motility in vitro whereas overexpression of KIAA1199 had the opposite effect. Inhibition of KIAA1199 significantly suppressed tumor growth in mouse NSCLC xenograft models. Mechanistically, as an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐binding protein, KIAA1199 promotes EGFR signaling and regulates EGFR‐dependent Src, Erk, and Akt phosphorylation, as well as downstream kinases in the EGF‐mediated EMT pathway. We demonstrated that KIAA1199 can function as a direct binding target for miR‐486‐5p and that miR‐486‐5p overexpression can attenuate proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells via regulating the EGFR signaling pathways. To conclude, our results defined KIAA1199 as an oncogenic protein that promotes cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating EGF‐mediated signaling pathways. This study provided new insight into NSCLC oncogenesis, which could lead to the development of innovative therapeutic plans for NSCLC.

BCAP31, a cancer/testis antigen-like protein, can act as a probe for non-small-cell lung cancer metastasis

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents most of lung cancers, is often diagnosed at an advanced metastatic stage. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying metastasis is key to understanding the development of NSCLC. The expression of B cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BCAP31), calreticulin, glucose-regulated protein 78, and glucose-regulated protein 94 were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining of 360 NSCLC patients. It resulted that the high-level expression of the four proteins, but particularly BCAP31, predicted inferior overall survival. What’s more, BCAP31 was closely associated with histological grade and p53 status, which was verified by seven cohorts of NSCLC transcript microarray datasets. Then, three NSCLC cell lines were transfected to observe behavior changes BCAP31 caused, we found the fluctuation of BCAP31 significantly influenced the migration, invasion of NSCLC cells. To identify the pathway utilized by BCAP31, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was firstly performed, showing Akt/m-TOR/p70S6K pathway was the significant one, which was verified by immunofluorescence, kinase phosphorylation and cellular behavioral observations. Finally, the data of label-free mass spectroscopy implied that BCAP31 plays a role in a fundamental biological process. This study provides the first demonstration of BCAP31 as a novel prognostic factor related to metastasis and suggests a new therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Brain Metastases in Lung Cancers with Emerging Targetable Fusion Drivers

The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has transformed with the discovery of therapeutically tractable oncogenic drivers. In addition to activating driver mutations, gene fusions or rearrangements form a unique sub-class, with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) targeted agents approved as the standard of care in the first-line setting for advanced disease. There are a number of emerging fusion drivers, however, including neurotrophin kinase (NTRK), rearrangement during transfection (RET), and neuregulin 1 (NRG1) for which there are evolving high-impact systemic treatment options. Brain metastases are highly prevalent in NSCLC patients, with molecularly selected populations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant and ALK-rearranged tumors particularly brain tropic. Accordingly, there exists a substantial body of research pertaining to the understanding of brain metastases in such populations. Little is known, however, on the molecular mechanisms of brain metastases in those with other targetable fusion drivers in NSCLC. This review encompasses key areas including the biological underpinnings of brain metastases in fusion-driven lung cancers, the intracranial efficacy of novel systemic therapies, and future directions required to optimize the control and prevention of brain metastases.

The Molecular Mechanism of Metabolic Remodeling in Lung Cancer

Metabolic remodeling is a key phenomenon in the occurrence and development of tumors. It not only offers materials and energy for the survival and proliferation of tumor cells, but also protects tumor cells so that they may survive, proliferate and transfer in the harsh microenvironment. This paper attempts to reveal the role of abnormal metabolism in the development of lung cancer by considering the processes of glycolysis and lipid metabolism, Identification of the molecules that are specifically used in the processes of glycolysis and lipid metabolism, and their underlying molecular mechanisms, is of great clinical and theoretical significance. We will focus on the recent progress in elucidating the molecular mechanism of metabolic remodeling in lung cancer.

Gefitinib-coated balloon inhibits the excessive hyperplasia of intima after vascular injuries through PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of gefitinib-coated balloon suppressive action on the excessive hyperplasia of intima after balloon injury of common carotid artery in rats and on the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

METHODS

MTT method and the expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected in vitro; Adult SD rats were randomly split into 5 groups, namely sham group, model group, low-dosage gefitinib-coated balloon group, high-dosage gefitinib-coated balloon group, and paclitaxel-coated balloon group. The intimal proliferation of arteries, PCNA, P-AKT and PI3K protein expression, the cell apoptosis, expression of MMP9, TGFβ and IL6 mRNA were measured by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry, TUNEL staining, and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

At the same time and concentration, Gefitinib suppressed the proliferation of smooth muscle cell more significantly than paclitaxel. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells (VSMC, EC) were significantly down-regulated and up-regulated after the cells were treated with gefitinib and paclitaxel. In gefitinib- and paclitaxel-coated balloon groups, significant up-regulations were found in the area of lumen. Furthermore, the expression of PCNA suggested that all coated balloons could suppress the excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the hyperplastic intima compared with the control group. In gefitinib- and paclitaxel-coated balloon group, the expression of PI3K/AKT was significantly down-regulated. The use of drug-coated balloons mitigated the cell apoptosis in TUNEL. The expressions of MMP9, TGFβ and IL6 mRNA in the model group were obviously up-regulated; and they were obviously down-regulated in the high-dose gefitinib-coated balloon group compared with the model group.

CONCLUSIONS

Gefitinib-coated balloons were able to suppress the excessive proliferation in the common carotid arterial intima of rats more effectively than the paclitaxel-coated ones. The underlying mechanism may cover the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Prognostic Value of Survival of MicroRNAs Signatures in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: Accumulating evidence showed that a large number of microRNAs (miRNAs) are abnormally expressed in lung cancer tissues and play critical roles in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study is to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and normal lung tissues, and evaluate the prognostic value and potential target gene functional enrichment of the DEMs. Materials and Methods: We first downloaded the high-throughput miRNA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) database, and subsequently analyzed the data using bioinformatics analysis including limma package in R, Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank method, and several online analysis tools. Results: A total of 125 DEMs and 138 DEMs were respectively identified in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) tissues compared with their matched normal tissues. Moreover, we found that the prognostic function of the eight miRNAs (miR-375, miR-148a, miR-29b-1 and miR-584 for LUAD; miR-4746, miR-326, miR-93 and miR-671 for LUSC). Furthermore, the two four-miRNA signatures were constructed and found to be an independent prognostic factor for LUAD and LUSC patients, respectively. Additionally, our results indicated that the target genes of eight miRNAs may be involved in various pathways related to NSCLC, including PI3K-Akt, TGF-beta, FoxO, Ras, GPI-anchor biosynthesis and metabolic, Rap1, HIF-1 and proteasome. Conclusion: Overall, eight miRNAs were closely correlated with survival of NSCLC patients, and the constructed two four-miRNA signatures could be respectively used as prognostic markers in LUAD and LUSC patients.

Chrysin enhances anticancer drug-induced toxicity mediated by the reduction of claudin-1 and 11 expression in a spheroid culture model of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells

The aberrant expression of claudins (CLDNs), which are tight junctional proteins, is seen in various solid tumors, but the regulatory mechanisms and their pathophysiological role are not well understood. Both CLDN1 and CLDN11 were highly expressed in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Chrysin, found in high concentration in honey and propolis, decreased CLDN1 and CLDN11 expression in RERF-LC-AI cells derived from human lung SCC. The phosphorylation level of Akt was decreased by chrysin, but those of ERK1/2 and c-Jun were not. LY-294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and decreased the expression levels of CLDN1 and CLDN11. The association between phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and Akt was inhibited by chrysin, but the phosphorylation of PDK1 was not. Immunoprecipitation and quartz-crystal microbalance assays revealed that biotinylated-chrysin binds directly to Akt. The knockdown of CLDN1 and CLDN11 using small interfering RNAs increased the transepithelial flux of doxorubicin (DXR), an anthracycline anticancer drug. Similarly, both chrysin and LY-294002 increased DXR flux. Neither CLDN1 knockdown, CLDN11 knockdown, nor chrysin changed the anticancer drug-induced cytotoxicity in a two-dimensional culture model, whereas they enhanced cytotoxicity in a spheroid culture model. Taken together, chrysin may bind to Akt and inhibit its phosphorylation, resulting in the elevation of anticancer drug-induced toxicity mediated by reductions in CLDN1 and CLDN11 expression in RERF-LC-AI cells. We suggest that chrysin may be useful as an adjuvant chemotherapy in lung SCC.

Development of Multi-Target Chemometric Models for the Inhibition of Class I PI3K Enzyme Isoforms: A Case Study Using QSAR-Co Tool

The present work aims at establishing multi-target chemometric models using the recently launched quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR)-Co tool for predicting the activity of inhibitor compounds against different isoforms of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) under various experimental conditions. The inhibitors of class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms have emerged as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of various disorders, especially cancer. The cell-based enzyme inhibition assay results of PI3K inhibitors were curated from the CHEMBL database. Factors such as the nature and mutation of cell lines that may significantly alter the assay outcomes were considered as important experimental elements for mt-QSAR model development. The models, in turn, were developed using two machine learning techniques as implemented in QSAR-Co: linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and random forest (RF). Both techniques led to models with high accuracy (ca. 90%). Several molecular fragments were extracted from the current dataset, and their quantitative contributions to the inhibitory activity against all the proteins and experimental conditions under study were calculated. This case study also demonstrates the utility of QSAR-Co tool in solving multi-factorial and complex chemometric problems. Additionally, the combination of different in silico methods employed in this work can serve as a valuable guideline to speed up early discovery of PI3K inhibitors.

The emerging role of the piRNA/piwi complex in cancer

Piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) constitute novel small non-coding RNA molecules of approximately 24-31 nucleotides in length that often bind to members of the piwi protein family to play regulatory roles. Recently, emerging evidence suggests that in addition to the mammalian germline, piRNAs are also expressed in a tissue-specific manner in a variety of human tissues and modulate key signaling pathways at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. In addition, a growing number of studies have shown that piRNA and PIWI proteins, which are abnormally expressed in various cancers, may serve as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for tumor diagnostics and treatment. However, the functions of piRNAs in cancer and their underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this review, we discuss current findings regarding piRNA biogenetic processes, functions, and emerging roles in cancer, providing new insights regarding the potential applications of piRNAs and piwi proteins in cancer diagnosis and clinical treatment.

Preclinical efficacy of a novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, CMG002, alone and in combination with sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

Sorafenib has been the only first systemic drug that improves survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, because the response rate of sorafenib is relatively low, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve survival in patients with HCC. This study investigated the effect of CMG002 alone and in combination with sorafenib on HCC in vitro and vivo.

METHODS

The effect of a newly developed dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, CMG002, on the proliferation of Huh-7 and HepG2 HCC cells was investigated using the MTT assay. Western blotting was performed to assess phosphorylation of the key enzymes in the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. HepG2 cells were inoculated into mice, which were treated with vehicle, sorafenib, CMG002, and their combinations. Tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67 and CD31, respectively. Tumor cell apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Levels of key enzymes in the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways were evaluated by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The combination of sorafenib and CMG002 additively inhibited Huh-7 and HepG2 cell proliferation compared to single-agent treatment. Sorafenib and CMG002 as single agents differentially inhibited or activated key enzymes in the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. The combination of sorafenib and CMG002 inhibited all key enzymes in the two pathways. Treatment with CMG002 for 4 weeks alone and in combination with sorafenib strongly inhibited tumor growth. CMG002 inhibited HCC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and decreased tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, these effects were enhanced when CMG002 was combined with sorafenib.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of CMG002 and sorafenib significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by inhibiting the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. These findings suggest that CMG002 to be a potential novel candidate treatment for HCC.

Dieckol inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent type of lung cancers with an increased mortality rate in both developed and developing countries worldwide. Dieckol is one such polyphenolic drug extracted from brown algae which has proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer property of dieckol against NSCLC cell line A549. The LC50 value of dieckol was found to be 25 µg/mL by performing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the antiapoptotic property of dieckol was analyzed by dual staining technique with acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) stains. It was further confirmed with flow cytometry analysis with Annexin FITC and JC-1 staining and the anti-invasive property was assessed by Transwell assay. The molecular mechanism of dieckol anticancer activity was confirmed by estimating the levels of caspases and by estimating the signaling proteins of Pi3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway using the immunoblotting technique. Our data suggest that dieckol is potent anticancer agent, it effectively inhibits the invasive and migratory property A549 cells and it also induces apoptosis via inhibiting Pi3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, activating the tumor suppressor protein E-cadherin signifying that dieckol is potent natural anticancer drug to treat NSCLC.

The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 restricts the growth of lung cancer tumors regardless of EGFR status, as a potent accompanist in combined therapeutic regimens

Background

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide despite diagnostic improvements and the development of targeted therapies, notably including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling has been shown to contribute to tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and resistance to therapy in most human cancer types, including lung cancer. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects of co-inhibition of PI3K and mTOR in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with different EGFR status.

Methods

The antiproliferative activity of a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 was examined by the WST-1 assay and the soft agar colony-formation assay in 2 normal cell lines and 12 NSCLC cell lines: 6 expressing wild-type EGFR and 6 expressing EGFR with activating mutations, including exon 19 deletions, and L858R and T790 M point mutations. The combination indexes of BEZ235 with cisplatin or an EGFR-TKI, BIBW2992 (afatinib), were calculated. The mechanisms triggered by BEZ235 were explored by western blotting analysis. The anti-tumor effect of BEZ235 alone or combined with cisplatin or BIBW2992 were also studied in vivo.

Results

BEZ235 suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase, but without causing cell death. It also reduced the expression of cyclin D1/D3 by regulating both its transcription and protein stability. Moreover, BEZ235 synergistically enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells by enhancing or prolonging DNA damage and BIBW2992-induced apoptosis in EGFR-TKI–resistant NSCLC cells containing a second TKI-resistant EGFR mutant.

Conclusions

The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition by BEZ235 is an effective antitumor strategy for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy or targeted therapy, even as a monotherapy, to restrict tumor growth in lung cancer treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1282-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Safety and Tolerability of Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors in Oncology

Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and downstream signalling by AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) modulates cellular processes such as increased cell growth, cell proliferation and increased cell migration as well as deregulated apoptosis and oncogenesis. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway (particularly Class I PI3K isoforms) is frequently activated in a variety of solid tumours and haematological malignancies, making PI3K an attractive therapeutic target in oncology. Inhibitors of PI3K also have the potential to restore sensitivity to other modalities of treatments when administered as part of combination regimens. Although many PI3K inhibitors have reached different stages of clinical development, only two (idelalisib and copanlisib) have been currently approved for use in the treatment of B cell lymphoma and leukaemias. While these two agents are effective clinically, their use is associated with a number of serious class-related as well as drug-specific adverse effects. Some of these are immune-mediated and include cutaneous reactions, severe diarrhoea with or without colitis, hepatotoxicity and pneumonitis. They also induce various metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. Not surprisingly, therefore, many new PI3K inhibitors with a varying degree of target selectivity have been synthesised in expectations of improved safety and efficacy, and are currently under clinical investigations for use in a variety of solid tumours as well as haematological malignancies. However, evidence from early clinical trials, reviewed herein, suggests that these newer agents are also associated not only with class-related but also other serious and unexpected adverse effects. Their risk/benefit evaluations have resulted in a number of them being discontinued from further development. Cumulative experience with the use of PI3K inhibitors under development suggests that, compared with their use as monotherapy, combining them with other anticancer therapies may be a more effective strategy in improving current standard-of-care and clinical outcomes in cancers beyond haematological cancers. For example, combination of alpelisib with fulvestrant has recently demonstrated unexpectedly superior efficacy compared to fulvestrant alone. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory activity of PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ inhibitors also provides unexpected opportunities for their use in cancer immunotherapy, as is currently being tested in several clinical trials.

Quinalizarin, a specific CK2 inhibitor, can reduce icotinib resistance in human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines

The abnormal activation of the downstream signaling pathways of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that are independent of EGFR, contribute to the acquisition of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The serine/threonine protein kinase casein kinase II (CK2) phosphorylates and modulates several members of the EGFR downstream signaling pathways. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of the addition of quinalizarin (a specific CK2 inhibitor) to icotinib (an EGFR-TKI) on the proliferation and apoptosis of four NSCLC cell lines and its underlying mechanisms. The human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines HCC827, A549, H1650 and H1975 were employed to represent the EGFR-TKI-sensitive EGFR (EGFR-sensitive) mutation, wild-type EGFR and the EGFR-TKI-resistant EGFR (EGFR-resistant) mutations. The cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytom-etry using the Annexin V-enhanced green fluorescent protein Apoptosis Detection kit. The level of proteins in the EGFR downstream pathway was observed using a western blot assay. The results showed that the cells with the EGFR-sensitive mutation (HCC827, EGFR E716-A750del) were more sensitive to icotinib compared with those possessing the EGFR wild-type (A549) and the EGFR-resistant mutations (H1650, EGFR E716-A750del and PTEN lost; H1975, EGFR L858R+T790M). Quinalizarin inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in the cells with the EGFR wild-type and resistant mutations, and the addition of quinalizarin to icotinib partially restored their sensitivity to icotinib. Quinalizarin and/or icotinib increased the apoptotic rates in the EGFR-TKI resistant cells, and the combination of these reduced the level of protein downstream of EGFR, including phosphorylated (p-AKT) and p-(ERK). In conclusion, quinalizarin may partially sensitize cells to icotinib by inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis mediated by AKT and ERK in EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC cell lines.

Opportunities and challenges of co-targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and autophagy signaling in non-small cell lung cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are a standard therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sensitive mutations. However, acquired resistance emerges following a median of 6-12 months. Several studies demonstrated that EGFR-TKI-induced tumor microenvironment stresses and autophagy are important causes of resistance. The current review summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in EGFR-mediated regulation of autophagy. The role of autophagy in EGFR-TKI treatment, which may serve a role in protection or cell death, was discussed. Furthermore, co-inhibiting EGFR and autophagy signaling as a rational therapeutic strategy in the treatment of patients with NSCLC was explored.

Inhibitory Effect of (2R)-1-(1-Benzofuran-2-yl)-N-propylpentan-2-amine on Lung Adenocarcinoma

BPAP is a potent enhancer substance with catecholaminergic and serotoninergic activity in the brain. It was discovered that it is also effective against certain types of experimental cancers, showing the most promising results in case of lung cancer. That is why we tested its efficacy in two different doses in a newly developed EGFR wild type mouse lung adenocarcinoma xenograft model. Experiments were conducted on FVB/N and SCID mouse strains treated with low and high dose of BPAP. Body weight, survival, and tumor volumes were recorded. Furthermore, the activity of major signaling pathways of NSCLC such as MAPK and Akt/mTOR as well as cell cycle regulation were determined. Significant inhibition of tumor growth was exerted by both doses, but the mechanism of action was different. High dose directly inhibited, whereas low dose activated the main signaling pathways. Exposure to low dose BPAP resulted in elevated activity of the mTOR pathway together with p16^INK-induced cell cycle arrest, a typical feature of geroconversion, a senescent state characterized by loss of cell proliferation. Finally the events culminated in cell cycle inhibition point in case of both doses mirrored by the decrease of cyclin D1, CDK4 and PCNA. In addition, BPAP treatment had a beneficial effect on bodyweight suggesting that the compound at least in part is able to compensate the cancer-related wasting. In view of the low toxicity and confirmed antitumor effect of BPAP against experimental lung adenocarcinoma, this novel compound deserves further attention.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Wenxia Changfu Formula Reverses Cell Adhesion-Mediated Drug Resistance via the Integrin β1-PI3K-AKT Pathway in Lung Cancer

In the treatment of lung cancer, the multidrug resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the reasons of low rates for cure and treatment failure, the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and traditional Chinese medicine can increase the sensitivity of chemotherapy and reduce its adverse effects. Our previous study has proved that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) Wenxia Changfu Formula (WCF for short) effectively enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy in lung cancer treatment and reverses multidrug resistance in lung cancer cells in vitro. The present study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of WCF in reversing cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance of lung cancer by using A549 three-dimensional cell culture and nude mouse model of the A549 cell line with Integrin β1 overexpression. We show that the combination of WCF with DDP can decrease proliferation of lung cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, we find that the combination of WCF with DDP suppresses the expression of certain molecules which regulate cell cycle and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we show that the Integrin β1, FAK, PI3K, and AKT protein expressions are suppressed by DDP and even more responses are observed when DDP and WCF are combined, showing WCF treatment enhances the effect of commonly used anticancer drugs. In line with the above findings, our results confirm that WCF reverses cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance of lung cancer via inactivating Integrin β1/PI3K/AKT and apoptosis induction.

Fungal Immunomodulatory Protein from Nectria haematococca Suppresses Growth of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma by Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt Pathway

Lung cancer is a common disease that is associated with poor prognosis. Fungal immunomodulatory protein from Nectria haematococca (FIP-nha) has potential as a lung cancer therapeutic; as such, illuminating its anti-tumor mechanism is expected to facilitate novel treatment options. Here, we showed that FIP-nha affects lung adenocarcinoma growth ex vivo and in vivo. Comparative quantitative proteomics showed that FIP-nha negatively regulates PI3K/Akt signaling and induces cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and apoptosis. We further demonstrated that FIP-nha suppresses Akt phosphorylation, leading to upregulation of p21 and p27 and downregulation of cyclin B1, cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 expression, ultimately resulting in G1/S and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Meanwhile, FIP-nha-induced PI3K/Akt downregulation promotes A549 apoptosis by increasing the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and c-PARP and autophagy by decreasing the phosphorylation of mTOR. Thus, we comprehensively revealed the anti-tumor mechanism of FIP-nha, which inhibits tumor growth by modulating PI3K/Akt-regulated cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and apoptosis, and provided the basis for further application of fungal immunomodulatory proteins, especially FIP-nha.

FBXO17 promotes cell proliferation through activation of Akt in lung adenocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, mediated in part, by ubiquitin E3 ligases, is critical in regulating cellular processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. FBXO17 was recently identified as an F-box protein that targets glycogen synthase kinase-3β to the E3 ubiquitin ligase protein complex for polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Here, we identified that in several lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, FBXO17 cellular protein was detected at relatively high levels, as was expression in a subset of lung cancers. Hence, we investigated the effects of FBXO17 on cell proliferation.

METHODS

Single cell RNA sequencing analysis was performed on a resection of a non-small cell lung carcinoma tumor to examine FBXO17 expression. Multiple lung cancer cell lines were immunoblotted, and The Cancer Genome Atlas was analyzed to determine if FBXO17 expression was amplified in a subset of lung cancers. A549 cells were transfected with empty vector or FBXO17-V5 plasmid and immunoblotted for Akt pathway mediators including PDK1, ERK1/2, ribosomal protein S6, and CREB. Cell proliferation and viability were analyzed by trypan blue exclusion, BrdU incorporation and an MTS-based fluorometric assay. Studies were also performed after transfecting with sifbxo17. Samples were used in an RNA microarray analysis to evaluate pathways affected by reduced FBXO17 gene expression.

RESULTS

We observed that overexpression of FBXO17 increased A549 cell proliferation coupled with Akt activation. Ectopically expressed FBXO17 also increased ERK1/2 kinase activation and increased phosphorylation of RPS6, a downstream target of mTOR. We also observed an increased number of cells in S-phase and increased metabolic activity of lung epithelial cells expressing FBXO17. FBXO17 knockdown reduced Akt Ser 473 phosphorylation approaching statistical significance with no effect on Thr 308. However, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, cellular metabolic activity, and overall cell numbers were reduced. When we analyzed RNA profiles of A549 cells with reduced FBXO17 expression, we observed downregulation of several genes associated with cell proliferation and metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support a role for FBXO17 abundance, when left unchecked, in regulating cell proliferation and survival through modulation of Akt and ERK kinase activation. The data raise a potential role for the F-box subunit in modulating tumorigenesis.

Metformin reverses the resistance mechanism of lung adenocarcinoma cells that knocks down the Nrf2 gene

The nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway has an important role in the drug resistance of adenocarcinoma, and may act via different mechanisms, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, it has remained elusive whether metformin affects Nrf2 and regulates Nrf2/ARE in adenocarcinoma. In the present study, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell transfection, western blot analysis, a Cell Counting kit-8 assay and apoptosis detection were used to investigate the above in the A549 cell line and cisplatin-resistant A549 cells (A549/DDP). The results indicated that Nrf2, glutathione S-transferase α 1 (GSTA1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1) were dose-dependently reduced by metformin, and that the effect in A549 cells was greater than that in A549/DDP cells. Treatment with metformin decreased the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of A549 cells to a greater extent than that of A549/DDP cells, and the effect was dose-dependent. After transfection of A549/DDP cells with Nrf2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), GSTA1 and ABCC1 were markedly decreased, compared with the shRNA-control group of A549/DDP, and low dose-metformin reduced the proliferation and increased apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. Metformin inhibited the Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathways in A549 cells and activated the p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. Furthermore, in the presence of metformin, inhibitors of the p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathway at different concentrations did not affect the levels of Nrf2, but inhibitors of the Akt and ERK1/2 pathway at different doses reduced the expression of Nrf2. In addition, inhibitors of p38 MAPK and JNK did not affect the effect of metformin on Nrf2, while inhibitors of Akt and ERK1/2 dose-dependently enhanced the inhibitory effects of metformin in A549 cells. In conclusion, metformin inhibits the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in A549 cells to reduce the expression of Nrf2, GSTA1 and ABCC1. Metformin also reverses the resistance of A549/DDP cells to platinum drugs, inhibits the proliferation and promotes apoptosis of drug-resistant cells. These results may provide a theoretical basis and therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of tumors.

Krukovine Suppresses KRAS-Mutated Lung Cancer Cell Growth and Proliferation by Inhibiting the RAF-ERK Pathway and Inactivating AKT Pathway

Oncogenic activation of the KRAS gene via point mutations occurs in 20–30% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The RAS-RAF-ERK and RAS-PI3K-AKT pathways are the major hyper-activated downstream pathways in RAS mutation, which promotes the unlimited lifecycle of cancer cells and their metastasis in humans. However, the success of targeted therapy is restricted by many factors. Herein, we show a new pharmacological KRAS signaling inhibitor krukovine, which is a small molecular bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, isolated from the bark of Abuta grandifolia (Mart.) Sandw. (Menispermaceae). This alkaloid targets the KRAS downstream signaling pathways in different NSCLC cell lines, such as H460 and A549, which are established by KRAS mutations. In the present study, we initially investigated the anti-cancer activities of krukovine in KRAS-mutated NSCLC cell lines, as well as KRAS wild type cancer cell line and normal lung cell. Results indicated that krukovine can inhibit the growth and dose-dependently inhibit the colony formation capacity and wound healing ability of H460 and A549. This cytotoxic effect is associated with the induction of cell apoptosis and G1 arrest in those cell lines. Krukovine treatment also suppressed the C-RAF, ERK, AKT, PI3K, p70s6k, and mTOR phosphorylation in H460 and A549. This finding suggests that krukovine represses the growth and proliferation of KRAS-mutated cells by inactivating AKT signaling pathway and downregulating the RAF-ERK signaling pathway. This study provides detailed insights into the novel cytotoxic mechanism of an anti-cancer compound from an herbal plant and promotes the anti-cancer potential of krukovine in NSCLC with KRAS mutation.

Downregulation of GSDMD attenuates tumor proliferation via the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and inhibition of EGFR/Akt signaling and predicts a good prognosis in non‑small cell lung cancer

Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a newly discovered pyroptosis executive protein, which can be cleaved by inflammatory caspases and is essential for secretion of IL-1β, making it a critical mediator of inflammation. However, the precise role of GSDMD in carcinogenesis remains nearly unknown. Considering the vital role of inflammation in tumorigenesis, we investigated the biological function of GSDMD in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study demonstrated that the GSDMD protein levels were significantly upregulated in NSCLC compared to these levels in matched adjacent tumor specimens. Higher GSDMD expression was associated with aggressive traits including larger tumor size and more advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. In addition, high GSDMD expression indicated a poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but not in squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Knockdown of GSDMD restricted tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Notably, intrinsic and extrinsic activation of pyroptotic (NLRP3/caspase-1) signaling in GSDMD-deficient tumor cells induced another type of programmed cell death (apoptosis), instead of pyroptosis. GSDMD depletion activated the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, and promoted cancer cell death via intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. In addition, co-expression analyses indicated a correlation between GSDMD and EGFR/Akt signaling. Collectively, our results revealed a crosstalk between pyroptotic signaling and apoptosis in tumor cells. Knockdown of GSDMD attenuated tumor proliferation by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting EGFR/Akt signaling in NSCLC. In conclution, GSDMD is an independent prognostic biomarker for LUAD.

A curated target gene pool assisting disease prediction and patient-specific biomarker selection for lung squamous cell carcinoma

There have been hundreds of genes demonstrated to be associated with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), presenting various degrees of association with this disease. In the present study, gene vectors were investigated as genetic biomarkers for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of LSCC. A LSCC genetic database (LSCC_GD) was developed through literature-associated data analysis, where 260 LSCC target genes were curated. Subsequently, numerous associations between these genes and LSCC were studied. Following this, a sparse representation-based variable selection (SRVS) was employed for gene selection from two LSCC gene expression datasets, followed by a case/control classification. Results were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA)-based gene selection approaches. Using SRVS, a gene vector was selected from each dataset, resulting in significantly higher classification accuracy (CR), compared with randomly selected genes (For datasets GSE18842 and GSE1987, CR=100 and 100% and permutation P=5.0×10⁻⁴ and 1.8×10⁻³, respectively). The SRVS method outperformed ANOVA in terms of the classification ratio. The results indicated that, for a given dataset, there may be a gene vector from the 260 curated LSCC genes that possesses significant prediction power. SRVS is effective in identifying the optimum gene subset target for personalized treatment.

[Clinical Significance and Mechanism of PI3K p110β Overexpression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) pathway is one of the most important pathway in cells, which plays an important role in proliferation, growth, differentiation and mobility of cells. The aberrant activation of PI3K pathway was exsited in 50%-70% cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As the key point in PI3K pathway, expression of PI3K plays a critical role in activity of the pathway, which is closely related with the initiation and development of NSCLC, furthermore with the response of tumor to target treatment. Our study is to analyze the clinical significance and mechanism of PI3K p110β overexpression in NSCLC.

METHODS

Expression of p110β and other proteins in PI3K pathway were detected by immunohistochemistry in 170 cases of NSCLC. Correlation between expression of p110β and clinicopathological characteristics of patients as well as expression of other proteins in PI3K pathway was analyzed.

RESULTS

In 170 NSCLC, overexpression of p110β was found in 41.8% of cases. Correlation between overexpression of p110β and Ki 67 index was significant (P=0.040). No significant difference of p110 expression were observed among different cohorts of gender, age, smoking status, classification, grade and stage (P>0.05). Correlation between expression of p110β and other proteins in PI3K pathway was various, positively correlated with PTEN loss (P<0.001) and negatively correlated with mutant EGFR (P=0.022), while not correlated with P-Akt (Ser473), HER2, ALK, ROS1 and wild type EGFR (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of p110β is frequently detected in NSCLC. It is closely related with PTEN loss NSCLC, which shows that it plays an important role in maintaining and developing of tumors driven by PTEN loss. It initiates the proliferation of tumor cells in NSCLC without phosphorylating Akt. PIK3CB mutation is not the major cause of overexpression of p110β. Dysregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) doesn't show potential of increasing p110β level in cancer tissue, furthermore the expression of p110β in tumors with EGFR mutation is lower than in tumors without EGFR mutation.

The nuclear transcription factor RelB functions as an oncogene in human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A1 cells

Background

Lung cancer is a leading public health issue worldwide. Although therapeutic approaches have improved drastically in the last decades, the prognosis of lung cancer patients remains suboptimal. The canonical nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway is critical in the carcinogenesis of lung cancer. The non-canonical NF-κB signalling pathway (represented by RelB) has attracted increasing attention in the pathogenesis of haematological and epithelial malignancies. However, the function of RelB in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear. Recently, high expression of RelB has been detected in NSCLC tissues. We have also demonstrated that RelB expression is an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC patients.

Methods

The mRNA and protein expression of RelB in NSCLC tissues were detected by qRT-PCR and IHC assay. The cell growth of SPC-A1 cells was detected in real-time using the x-Celligence system and xenograft tumour assays. The proliferation capability of cells was detected using a CFSE assay. Cell apoptosis was measured using Annexin V/PI staining, cell cycle was analyzed by the cytometry. Cell migration abilities were detected using the x-Celligence system and wound healing assays. The relative amounts of the active and inactive gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined using gelatin zymography experiments. Apoptosis of RelB depletion SPC-A1 cells after ionizing radiation at 8 Gy. The expression of cellular proliferation signal pathway related-proteins were examined by Western blot analysis.

Results

The expression of RelB increases in NSCLC tissues. High RelB expression was significantly correlated with advanced-metastatic stage in patients with NSCLC. RelB-silencing inhibits cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We found that RelB affected cell proliferation by regulating AKT phosphorylation. RelB silencing attenuates the migration and invasion abilities of SPC-A1 cells and is likely related to the down regulation of MMP-9 activity and Integrin β-1 expression. In addition, RelB modulated radiation-induced survival of NSCLC cells predominantly by regulating Bcl-xL expression.

Conclusions

Given the involvement of RelB in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and radio-resistance, RelB functions as an oncogene in NSCLC cells. Our data here shed light on unexplored aspects of RelB in NSCLC.

Establishment of lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models and primary cell lines for lung cancer study

Background

The overall 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is about 15% even with therapeutic drugs like tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Ideal models are urgently needed for exploring mechanisms and finding new drugs. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models and primary cells are both used to screen therapeutic regimens for cancer. However, PDX models and primary cells from the same patient are difficult to establish. Their consistency to the original tumor tissue is not well studied.

Methods

31 lung cancer patient tissues were procured to establish the lung cancer PDX models and primary cell lines. Tumor growth measurements, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis, Western blotting, EGFR and K-RAS mutation detection and gefitinib sensitive assay were performed to evaluate the characteristic of established PDX models. Immunofluorescence analysis, anchorage-independent cell growth, Western blotting and gefitinib sensitive assay were performed to assay the characteristic of established primary cell lines. The whole-exome sequencing was used to compare the characteristic of the patient’s tumor tissue, established PDX and primary cell line.

Results

Twenty-one lung cancer PDX models (67.74%, 21/31) and ten primary cell lines (32.25%, 10/31) were established from patients’ tumor tissues. The histology and pathological immunohistochemistry of PDX xenografts are consistent with the patients’ tumor samples. Various signal pathways were activated in different PDX models (n = 5) and primary cell lines (n = 2). EGFR mutation PDX model and primary cell line (LG1) were sensitive to gefitinib treatment. The expression of CK8/18, TTF1 and NapsinA in LG1 and LG50 primary cells were also positive. And the activated signal pathways were activated in LG1 and LG50 primary cell lines. Furthermore, the gene mutation in PDX tumor tissues and primary cell line (LG50) was consistent with the mutation in LG50 patient’s tumor tissues.

Conclusion

These data suggested that established lung cancer PDX models and primary cell lines reserved mostly molecular characteristics of primary lung cancer and could provide a new tool to further understand the mechanisms and explore new therapeutic strategies.