The pathological role of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression; special focus on molecular mechanisms and possible therapeutics

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is comprised of transformed cells and non-malignant cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), endothelial vasculature cells, and tumor-infiltrating cells. These nonmalignant cells, as well as soluble factors (e.g., cytokines), and the extracellular matrix (ECM), form the tumor microenvironment (TME). In general, the cancer cells and their surrounding TME can crosstalk by direct cell-to-cell contact and via soluble factors, such as cytokines (e.g., chemokines). TME not only promotes cancer progression through growth-promoting cytokines but also provides resistance to chemotherapy. Understanding the mechanisms of tumor growth and progression and the roles of chemokines in CRC will likely suggest new therapeutic targets. In this line, a plethora of reports has evidenced the critical role of chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12 or SDF-1) axis in CRC pathogenesis. In the current review, we take a glimpse into the role of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in CRC growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and immune escape. Also, a summary of recent reports concerning targeting CXCR4/CXCL12 axis for CRC management and therapy has been delivered.

Pathological role of long non-coding (lnc) RNA in the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

The term "epithelial-mesenchymal transition" (EMT) describes a biological process wherein epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal cell characteristics. This process enables the metastatic cells to migrate and invasion. Recent studies have established the connections between the EMT process and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer. Key cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation, migration, genetic stability, apoptosis, and stem cell renewal are modulated via Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway. Up-regulation of this evolutionarily conserved signal pathway leads to EMT. On the other hand, recent investigations have indicated that non-coding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) are involved in regulating of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. A high level of lncRNAs mainly has a positive correlation with EMT. However, lncRNA down-regulation has been observed in promoting EMT. It seems that depending on the specific targets, up-or down-regulation of lncRNAs can stimulate EMT by activating the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway. The evaluation of interactions between lncRNAs and the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway in the regulation of EMT during metastasis can be fascinating. Herein, for the first time, the crucial role of lncRNAs-mediated regulation of the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway in the EMT process of human tumors has been summarized.

Recent advances in pre-conditioned mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSCs) therapy in organ failure; a comprehensive review of preclinical studies

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)-based therapy brings the reassuring capability to regenerative medicine through their self-renewal and multilineage potency. Also, they secret a diversity of mediators, which are complicated in moderation of deregulated immune responses, and yielding angiogenesis in vivo. Nonetheless, MSCs may lose biological performance after procurement and prolonged expansion in vitro. Also, following transplantation and migration to target tissue, they encounter a harsh milieu accompanied by death signals because of the lack of proper tensegrity structure between the cells and matrix. Accordingly, pre-conditioning of MSCs is strongly suggested to upgrade their performances in vivo, leading to more favored transplantation efficacy in regenerative medicine. Indeed, MSCs ex vivo pre-conditioning by hypoxia, inflammatory stimulus, or other factors/conditions may stimulate their survival, proliferation, migration, exosome secretion, and pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory characteristics in vivo. In this review, we deliver an overview of the pre-conditioning methods that are considered a strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in organ failures, in particular, renal, heart, lung, and liver.

Targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) for treatment of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC); the recent advances

The immune system uses various immune checkpoint axes to adjust responses, support homeostasis, and deter self-reactivity and autoimmunity. Nevertheless, non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) can use protective mechanisms to facilitate immune evasion, which leads to potentiated cancer survival and proliferation. In this light, many blocking anti-bodies have been developed to negatively regulate checkpoint molecules, in particular, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) / PD-ligand 1 (L1), and bypass these immune suppressive mechanisms. Meanwhile, anti-PD-1 anti-bodies such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, and sintilimab have shown excellent competence in successfully inspiring immune responses versus NSCLC. Accordingly, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved nivolumab (alone or in combination with ipilimumab) and pembrolizumab (alone or in combination with chemotherapy) as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC patients. However, PD-1 blockade monotherapy remains inefficient in more than 60% of NSCLC patients, and many patients don't respond or acquire resistance to this modality. Also, toxicities related to anti-PD-1 anti-body have been progressively identified in clinical trials and oncology practice. Herein, we will outline the clinical benefits of PD-1 blockade therapy alone or in combination with other treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy) in NSCLC patients. Moreover, we will take a glimpse into the recently identified predictive biomarkers to determine patients most likely to suffer serious adverse events to decrease untoward toxicity risk and diminish treatment costs.

The Role of the Curcumin for Inducing Apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells: A Systematic Review

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological malignancy of lymphoid progenitor cells associated with excessive proliferation of lymphocytes. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, is known to possess anticancer activity. However, the mechanism of apoptosis induction differs in cancers. In this study, we discuss the potential apoptosis and anticancer effect of curcumin on the ALL. After choosing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords, including "Curcumin", "acute lymphoblastic leukemia", "apoptosis", as well as searching Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect. hand searching in key journals, list of references of selected articles and gray literature, without time and language limitation, articles up to December 2017 were entered into this review. In this review, 244 articles were acquired at the primary search. Study selection and quality assessment processes were done based on Cochrane library guidelines. According to six articles that were selected, curcumin could enhance the antitumor activity of chemotherapy drugs such as L-asparaginase. Curcumin induces apoptosis in Pre B- ALL and T- ALL cells by decreased NF-kB levels, increased p53 levels, PARP-1 cleavage. Also, the induction of growth-arrest and apoptosis in association with the blockade of constitutively active JAK-STAT pathway suggests this be a mechanism by curcumin. Curcumin could be used for the treatment of cancer like ALL.