Tumor-preventing activity of aspirin in multiple cancers based on bioinformatic analyses

A bird's eye view of the potential role of NFKBIA in pan-cancer

In the 21st century, cancer remains a serious threat to people's health and has become a prominent public health problem. NFKBIA is involved in the pathological process of many diseases including cancer, but its specific role in pan-cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aims to deepen the understanding of cancer pathology by analyzing the potential functions of NFKBIA in pan-cancer. We used TCGA data to analyze differences of expression of NFKBIA in pan-cancer. We explored the prognostic value, clinical relevance, immune relevance, potential biological function, and diagnosis and treatment value of NFKBIA in pan-cancer through bioinformatics analysis. This study found that in pan-cancer, NFKBIA exhibits differences in expression, which correlate with the prognosis, diagnosis, treatment value and clinical and immune parameters. We have identified that Aspirin, Astaxanthin and Bardoxolone methyl are expected to play a potential therapeutic role in pan-cancer. The results of this study will help to improve our understanding of the role and potential mechanism of NFKBIA in cancer pathology, which may provide guidance for cancer-related research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Expression of Components of the Renin-Angiotensin System by Cancer Stem Cells in Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma

This study investigated the expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by cancer stem cells (CSCs) we have recently demonstrated in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC). Fifteen RCCC tissue samples underwent immunohistochemical staining for components of the RAS: renin, pro-renin receptor (PRR), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT₂R). Immunofluorescence co-staining or double immunohistochemical staining of these components of the RAS with stemness-associated markers OCT4 or KLF4 was performed on two of the samples. Protein and transcript expression of these components of the RAS in six RCCC tissue samples was investigated using western blotting and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. In addition, angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT₁R) was investigated using RT-qPCR only. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated expression of renin, PRR, and ACE2 in 11, 13, and 13 out of 15 RCCC samples, respectively, while AT₂R was expressed in all 15 samples. ACE was detected in the endothelium of normal vasculature only. Double immunohistochemical staining demonstrated localization of ACE2, but not renin, to the KLF4+ CSCs. Immunofluorescence staining showed localization of PRR and AT₂R to the OCT4+ CSCs. Western blotting confirmed protein expression of all components of the RAS except renin. RT-qPCR demonstrated transcript expression of all components of the RAS including AT₁R, but not AT₂R, in all six RCCC tissue samples. This study demonstrated expression of PRR, ACE2, and AT₂R by the CSCs within RCCC. Further studies may lead to novel therapeutic targeting of CSCs by manipulation of the RAS in the treatment of this aggressive cancer.

Effect of pharmacodynamical interaction between nutlin-3a and aspirin in the activation of p53

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

p53, an anti-tumour protein, is significantly inactivated in most tumours. A small molecule of nutlin-3a is used to activate its function by repressing (Mouse double minute 2 homolog) Mdm2 protein which inhibits its activity. In cancer patients, a high risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is observed owing to their multi-dosing prescriptions, which may lead them to harmful effects. In the presented work, we have aimed to investigate the effect of pharmacodynamical interaction between two anti-cancer drugs, nutlin-3a and aspirin in the activation of p53 protein.

METHODS

We have adapted control system techniques and designed a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. This controller is used to activate p53 protein. A drug interaction parameter is used to incorporate the effect of both drugs. Extensive simulation is performed using two different doses of aspirin, i.e. a low and a high dose of aspirin.

RESULTS

The result shows no harmful effects of pharmacodynamical interaction when a low dose is administered along with nutlin-3a. When a high dose of aspirin is administered it acts as input disturbance and leads to undesirable over-expression of p53 protein. This can further harm other growth cells, thus inducing harmful effects. A comparative analysis is also tabulated with different dosing regimens which shows that a combination of nutlin-3a and a low dose of aspirin provides better results than a high dose of aspirin.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the work provides an insight to the activation of p53 protein in cancer patients under the presence of pharmacodynamical interaction and might contribute to the effective management of cancer patients.

CREB-binding protein (CREBBP) and preeclampsia: a new promising target gene

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major complication of pregnancy and remains a leading cause of neonatal and maternal mortality worldwide. Several studies have revealed that the incidence of preeclampsia is high in mothers who carried a fetus with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome due to the mutation in CREBBP. We aimed to compare the expression level of the CERBBP gene between preeclamptic and healthy placenta in our study. The expression level of CREBBP gene was evaluated in a total of one hundred placental biopsies from PE patients and healthy pregnant women after delivery using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, the differential expression of CREBBP was assessed between the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. Expression of the CREBBP gene was higher in preeclampsia patients compared with the controls (Fold change = 2.158; P = 0.018). Moreover, the gene expression was slightly higher in the fetal side of the placenta, although it was not significantly different (Fold change = 1.713, P = 0.254). Our findings show a role for CREBBP in the pathogenesis of PE. Due to the important role of CREBBP in angiogenesis and hypoxia, the gene may serve as a promising target in future studies.

Signaling, metabolism, and cancer: An important relationship for therapeutic intervention

In cancerous cells, significant changes occur in the activity of signaling pathways affecting a wide range of cellular activities ranging from growth and proliferation to apoptosis, invasiveness, and metastasis. Extensive changes also happen with respect to the metabolism of a cancerous cell encompassing a wide range of functions that include: nutrient acquisition, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and energy generation. These changes are important and some therapeutic approaches for treating cancers have focused on targeting the metabolism of cancerous cells. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have a significant effect on the metabolism of cells. There appears to be a close interaction between metabolism and the signaling pathways in a cancerous cell, in which the interaction provides the metabolic needs of a cancerous cell for uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and metastasis. In this review, we have reviewed the latest findings in this regard and briefly review the most recent research findings regarding targeting the metabolism of cancer cells as a therapeutic approach for treatment of cancer.

Aspirin use and endometrial cancer risk: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background

The use of aspirin has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer at several sites, such as the breast, prostate, and colorectum. However, the evidence for this chemopreventive effect from aspirin use on endometrial cancer is conflicting, and whether an association exists is an open question.

Methods

After carrying out a database search of articles published up to December 2019, we identified 7 case-control studies and 11 cohort studies, including a total of 14,766 endometrial cancer cases. We pooled the odds ratios (ORs) in case-control studies and risk ratios (RRs) in cohort studies, and then conducted subgroup analysis based on factors such as the frequency and duration of aspirin use, and obesity.

Results

In the overall meta-analysis, we found a significant inverse association between any aspirin use and the risk of endometrial cancer both in case-control studied [pooled ORs =0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–0.98] and cohort studies (pooled RRs =0.86, 95% CI: 0.86–0.99). In the subgroup analysis, a negative association was observed between the maximal frequency of aspirin use and the endometrial cancer risk (pooled ORs/RRs: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71–0.95), but no correlations were observed based on the longest duration of aspirin use or obesity.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the use of aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, and the reduced risk was closely related to the high-frequency of use. Further randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these findings.

Cellular Processes Involved in Jurkat Cells Exposed to Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field

Recently, nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) has been considered as a new tool for tumor therapy, but its molecular mechanism of function remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we explored the cellular processes of Jurkat cells exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric field. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired from the GEO2R, followed by analysis with a series of bioinformatics tools. Subsequently, 3D protein models of hub genes were modeled by Modeller 9.21 and Rosetta 3.9. Then, a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation for each hub protein was performed with GROMACS 2018.2. Finally, three kinds of nsPEF voltages (0.01, 0.05, and 0.5 mV/mm) were used to simulate the molecular dynamics of hub proteins for 100 ns. A total of 1769 DEGs and eight hub genes were obtained. Molecular dynamic analysis, including root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), and the Rg, demonstrated that the 3D structure of hub proteins was built, and the structural characteristics of hub proteins under different nsPEFs were acquired. In conclusion, we explored the effect of nsPEF on Jurkat cell signaling pathway from the perspective of molecular informatics, which will be helpful in understanding the complex effects of nsPEF on acute T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells.

Targeting Programmed Fusobacterium nucleatum Fap2 for Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Colorectal patients generally have the maximum counts of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) in tumors and elevate colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, which show the lowest rate of human survival. Hence, F. nucleatum is a diagnostic marker of colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies demonstrated that targeting fusobacterial Fap2 or polysaccharide of the host epithelium may decrease fusobacteria count in the CRC. Attenuated F. nucleatum-Fap2 prevents transmembrane signals and inhibits tumorigenesis inducing mechanisms. Hence, in this review, we hypothesized that application of genetically programmed fusobacterium can be skillful and thus reduce fusobacterium in the CRC. Genetically programmed F. nucleatum is a promising antitumor strategy.