Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunfei Li, Dali Qian, Hsuan-Pei Lin, Jie Xie, Ping Yang, Drew Maddy, Yajuan Xiao, Xuefei Huang, Zhishan Wang, Chengfeng Yang
Summary: The study developed a novel ultrasmall Pt(II) dot that displayed superior DNA damage capability and significantly reduced the CSC-like properties of TNBC cells, as well as targeted circulating tumor cells in vivo to suppress breast cancer metastasis. The ultrasmall Pt(II) dots represent a promising therapeutic agent for reducing cancer metastasis through metal-based nanomedicines.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wai-Hung Leung, Jing-Wen Shih, Jian-Syun Chen, Ntlotlang Mokgautsi, Po-Li Wei, Yan-Jiun Huang
Summary: This study found overexpression of KRAS/MMP7/CD44 oncogenic signatures in CRC tumor tissues, which were associated with resistance to chemotherapy and FDA-approved drugs. Sulfasalazine showed unique interactions with these oncogenes and potential inhibitory effects on tumor growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khalid Rashid, Aqeel Ahmad, Semmal Syed Meerasa, Abdul Q. Khan, Xiaobo Wu, Li Liang, Yuehong Cui, Tianshu Liu
Summary: Although the mechanisms and pathways of cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance and tumorigenicity have been extensively studied, research on the functional mechanisms of CSC-derived exosomes and their impact on malignancy is lacking. Understanding the interaction between CSCs/CSC-Exo and other key components of the tumor microenvironment can aid in cancer treatment by addressing factors such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review aims to summarize the characteristics and functional mechanisms of CSC-Exo/MSC-Exo/CAF-Exo and their mutual impact on cancer progression and therapy resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fariba Kokabi, Ayyoob Khosravi, Marie Saghaeian Jazi, Jahanbakhsh Asadi
Summary: A mouse model using esophageal cancer stem cells was developed to mimic the migration and metastasis process of tumors. The study found that the injected cancer stem cells migrated to the lungs and liver after three months. This finding provides a valuable model to investigate the metastasis mechanisms and develop targeted therapies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Zixu Liu, Ling Wang, Shugeng Gao, Qi Xue, Fengwei Tan, Zhili Li, Yushun Gao
Summary: This study found significant differences in the metabolite profiles of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC), intrapulmonary metastasis (IM), single primary lung cancer (SPLC), and healthy individuals through plasma metabolomics analysis. Seven metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers for differentiating IM and MPLC, with phosphatidyl ethanolamine (38:5) showing the highest sensitivity (0.95) and specificity (0.92). A panel composed of related metabolites exhibited high diagnostic ability for differentiating SPLC and MPLC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Fatih M. Uckun, Taracad Venkatachalam
Summary: Repurposing FDA-approved BTK inhibitors as therapeutic agents for solid tumors could provide renewed hope for chemotherapy-resistant cancer patients. Emerging evidence suggests that BTK inhibitors have clinical potential in solid tumor therapy and may lead to the development of new and effective combination regimens for metastatic and/or therapy-refractory solid tumor patients through lead optimization and translational research.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Alejandro Herreros-Pomares
Summary: Chemoresistance, tumor progression, and metastasis are common features in cancer that are associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are promising targets for future cancer therapy. However, CSCs still remain largely unknown. Further research is needed to explore the deregulation of pathways in non-tumorigenic stem cells (SCs) and identify new therapeutic targets. Additionally, the search for specific CSC markers is still under development.
Review
Oncology
Keigo Machida, Stanley M. Tahara
Summary: This review discusses the pharmacological and immune therapeutic targeting for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma, as well as the role of immunotherapies and microbiota in tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs). Gut dysbiosis inhibits the efficacy of immunotherapies, and personalized medicine approaches targeting TIC/metastasis-initiating cells may be potential targets for HCC immunotherapy and microbiota modulation therapy.
Review
Cell Biology
Yurong Zheng, Antoine E. Karnoub
Summary: Cancer cells within breast tumors exist in a hierarchy, with a small and rare subset able to regenerate growths with the original tumor's heterogeneity. These highly malignant cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit increased resistance to therapeutics and are influenced by hormonal receptors, impacting various aspects of breast neoplasia.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Beatrice A. Windmoeller, Morris Beshay, Laureen P. Helweg, Clara Flottmann, Miriam Beermann, Christinee Foerster, Ludwig Wilkens, Johannes F. W. Greiner, Christian Kaltschmidt, Barbara Kaltschmidt
Summary: The study isolated new CSC-like cells derived from human primary non-small cell lung cancer specimens and found that inhibiting NF-kappa B and MYC signaling pathways can significantly reduce cell survival. These findings may offer new insights into potential novel therapies for treating NSCLC patients.
Article
Oncology
Dilara Akhoundova, Martina Haberecker, Ralph Fritsch, Sylvia Hoeller, Michael K. Kiessling, Markus Rechsteiner, Jan H. Rueschoff, Alessandra Curioni-Fontecedro
Summary: This study explores the clinical impact of identifying ALK rearrangement in LCNEC patients and highlights the importance of comprehensive molecular profiling in order to detect actionable genomic alterations.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Dimitrios Troumpoukis, Adriana Papadimitropoulou, Chrysanthi Charalampous, Paraskevi Kogionou, Kostas Palamaris, Panagiotis Sarantis, Ioannis Serafimidis
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common and aggressive form of this cancer. Genetic alterations, particularly in the KRAS oncogene and tumor suppressors CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4, play a role in initiating PDAC. Autophagy, the process that clears away and recycles cellular components, is crucial in PDAC and acts both as a positive and negative effector. Recent studies have focused on the importance of cancer stem cells in PDAC, and autophagy has been identified as a key process in their maintenance and function. Pharmacologically targeting autophagy in pancreatic cancer stem cells holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for treating PDAC.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Luisina B. Ripari, Emily S. Norton, Raquel Bodoque-Villar, Stephanie Jeanneret, Montserrat Lara-Velazquez, Anna Carrano, Natanael Zarco, Carla A. Vazquez-Ramos, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, Carlos De La Rosa-Prieto, Hugo Guerrero-Cazares
Summary: A novel rodent model was used to analyze the bidirectional signaling between GBM tumors and cells within the subventricular zone (SVZ). The study found that GBM tumors located close to the lateral ventricles show increased tumor growth, decreased median survival, and negatively influence the neurogenic and cell division process of the SVZ in adult mice. This model will be invaluable for further investigation into the interactions between GBM and the neurogenic cell populations of the SVZ.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rituparna Ghosh, Priya Samanta, Rupali Sarkar, Souradeep Biswas, Prosenjit Saha, Subhadip Hajra, Arijit Bhowmik
Summary: Advancement in novel target detection using improved molecular cancer biology has opened up new avenues for promising anti-cancer drug development. HIF-1 alpha, a major transcriptional regulator, plays a crucial role in tumor adaptation to hypoxia and regulates various biological processes involved in tumorigenesis. Inhibitors targeting HIF-1 alpha have been considered as a novel cancer therapeutic strategy, holding potential for accelerated anticancer drug discovery.
Review
Oncology
Sadegh Safaei, Roya Sajed, Ahmad Shariftabrizi, Shima Dorafshan, Leili Saeednejad Zanjani, Masoumeh Dehghan Manshadi, Zahra Madjd, Roya Ghods
Summary: Matrix stiffness is a mechanical characteristic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that increases from the tumor core to the tumor periphery in a gradient pattern in a variety of solid tumors and can promote proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of tumor cells with self-renewal, asymmetric cell division, and differentiation capabilities. Evidence suggests that matrix stiffness can activate receptors and mechanosensor/mechanoregulator proteins such as integrin, FAK, and YAP, modulating the characteristics of tumor cells as well as CSCs through different molecular signaling pathways. A deeper understanding of the effect of matrix stiffness on CSCs characteristics could lead to development of innovative cancer therapies.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Nils Kremer, Manuel Richter, Werner Seeger, Khodr Tello
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Maria de las Mercedes Noriega, Faeq Husain-Syed, Sonia Wulf, Benjamin F. Csala, Christian J. Krebs, Wolfram F. Jabs, Peter Zipfel, Hermann-Josef Groene, Thorsten Wiech
Summary: A study found a temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and kidney diseases, as well as between COVID-19 and kidney diseases. The study compared kidney biopsies before and after vaccination, and found that glomerulopathies were more common in vaccinated patients, while tubulointerstitial diseases were more common in COVID-19 patients. The frequency of certain kidney diseases did not increase between 2019 and 2021.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitalii Kryvenko, Andres Alberro-Brage, Athanasios Fysikopoulos, Miriam Wessendorf, Khodr Tello, Rory E. Morty, Susanne Herold, Werner Seeger, Christos Samakovlis, Istvan Vadasz
Summary: A study investigated the mechanisms of cellular albumin uptake in a three-dimensional culture of precision-cut lung slices (PCLS). The study found that PCLS cells incorporate labeled albumin in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and identified a receptor-driven internalization process for albumin uptake. The findings highlight the potential for improving outcomes in patients with respiratory failure through pulmonary drug delivery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Manuel J. Richter, Federico Fortuni, Fawaz Alenezi, Michele D'Alto, Roberto Badagliacca, Nathan W. Brunner, Arie P. van Dijk, Philipp Douschan, Henning Gall, Stefano Ghio, Francesco Lo Giudice, Ekkehard Grunig, Francois Haddad, Luke Howard, Sudarshan Rajagopal, Niels Stens, Davide Stolfo, Dick H. J. Thijssen, Carmine Dario Vizza, Roham T. Zamanian, Liang Zhong, Werner Seeger, Hossein A. Ghofrani, Khodr Tello
Summary: A meta-analysis of 35 studies found that right atrial (RA) imaging assessment is a relevant prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). RA area, RA indexed area, RA peak longitudinal strain, and RA total emptying fraction were significantly associated with combined end-points including death, clinical worsening, and/or lung transplantation. RA volume and volume index showed marginal significant associations.
JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
William G. Herrington, Natalie Staplin, Christoph Wanner, Jennifer B. Green, Sibylle J. Hauske, Jonathan R. Emberson, David Preiss, Parminder Judge, Kaitlin J. Mayne, Sarah Y. A. Ng, Emily Sammons, Doreen Zhu, Michael Hill, Will Stevens, Karl Wallendszus, Susanne Brenner, Alfred K. Cheung, Zhi-Hong Liu, Jing Li, Lai Seong Hooi, Wen Liu, Takashi Kadowaki, Masaomi Nangaku, Adeera Levin, David Cherney, Aldo P. Maggioni, Roberto Pontremoli, Rajat Deo, Shinya Goto, Xavier Rossello, Katherine R. Tuttle, Dominik Steubl, Michaela Petrini, Dan Massey, Jens Eilbracht, Martina Brueckmann, Martin J. Landray, Colin Baigent, Richard Haynes
Summary: Empagliflozin therapy reduces the risk of disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Francisco Exposito, Miriam Redrado, Maeva Houry, Katherine Hastings, Magdalena Molero-Abraham, Teresa Lozano, Jose Luis Solorzano, Julian Sanz-Ortega, Vera Adradas, Ramon Amat, Esther Redin, Sergio Leon, Naroa Legarra, Javier Garcia, Diego Serrano, Karmele Valencia, Camila Robles-Oteiza, Giorgia Foggetti, Nerea Otegui, Enriqueta Felip, Juan J. Lasarte, Luis Paz-Ares, Jon Zugazagoitia, Katerina Politi, Luis Montuenga, Alfonso Calvo
Summary: Immunotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be attributed to an immunosuppressive microenvironment created by genetic alterations in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and/or loss of PTEN expression. PTEN-low tumors are associated with higher levels of immune checkpoint proteins and poorer response to immunotherapy. Preclinical models demonstrate that PTEN loss promotes metastasis and fibrosis, and facilitates the conversion of immune cells into immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Treg). However, targeting PTEN loss-mediated immunosuppression can reverse immunotherapy resistance in NSCLC.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sreenath Reddy Nayakanti, Aleksandra Friedrich, Poonam Sarode, Leili Jafari, Giovanni Maroli, Mario Boehm, Alice Bourgeois, Yann Grobs, Fatemeh Khassafi, Carsten Kuenne, Stefan Guenther, Swati Dabral, Jochen Wilhelm, Astrid Weiss, Astrid Wietelmann, Baktybek Kojonazarov, Wiebke Janssen, Mario Looso, Frances de Man, Steeve Provencher, Khodr Tello, Werner Seeger, Sebastien Bonnet, Rajkumar Savai, Ralph T. Schermuly, Soni Savai Pullamsetti
Summary: The ability of the right ventricle to adapt to an increased pressure afterload determines survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of the right ventricle and may also be implicated in adult cardiac remodeling.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laila Widmann, Stanislav Keranov, Leili Jafari, Christoph Liebetrau, Till Keller, Christian Troidl, Steffen Kriechbaum, Sandra Voss, Mani Arsalan, Manuel J. J. Richter, Khodr Tello, Henning Gall, Hossein A. A. Ghofrani, Stefan Guth, Werner Seeger, Christian W. W. Hamm, Oliver Doerr, Holger Nef
Summary: This study investigated the role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) as a biomarker for right ventricular (RV) function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The results showed that PH patients had higher levels of FGF-23 compared to healthy controls. Higher FGF-23 levels were associated with worse renal function and RV dysfunction. Therefore, FGF-23 may serve as a biomarker for maladaptive RV remodeling in patients with PH.
CLINICAL RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Elsa T. Roxlau, Oleg Pak, Stefan Hadzic, Claudia F. Garcia-Castro, Marija Gredic, Cheng-Yu Wu, Julia Schaeffer, Balachandar Selvakumar, Alexandra Pichl, David Spiegelberg, Janik Deutscher, Mariola Bednorz, Katharina Schaefer, Simone Kraut, Djuro Kosanovic, Esraa M. Zeidan, Baktybek Kojonazarov, Susanne Herold, Ievgen Strielkov, Andreas Guenther, Jochen Wilhelm, Mohamed M. A. Khalifa, Ashraf Taye, Ralf P. Brandes, Matthias Hecker, Friedrich Grimminger, Hossein A. Ghofrani, Ralph T. Schermuly, Werner Seeger, Natascha Sommer, Norbert Weissmann
Summary: The long-term effects of nicotine in e-cigarette vapour on the airways, lung parenchyma, and vasculature are unclear. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that nicotine induced changes in gene expression and functional alterations in epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Nicotine also increased pulmonary endothelial permeability and caused inflammation and parenchymal alterations. Therefore, the inclusion of nicotine in e-cigarettes can lead to significant damage to the lungs.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Nerea Otegui, Maeva Houry, Imanol Arozarena, Diego Serrano, Esther Redin, Francisco Exposito, Sergio Leon, Karmele Valencia, Luis Montuenga, Alfonso Calvo
Summary: Immunotherapy for NSCLC is effective for some patients, but less than half of them will benefit from it. Detection of PD-L1 in tumors is currently the only validated predictive biomarker. Genetic and metabolic alterations in tumor cells can affect the tumor microenvironment and the response to immunotherapy. Novel strategies based on these alterations may improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for lung cancer patients.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Karmele Valencia, Luis M. Montuenga, Alfonso Calvo
Summary: The influence of sex on immunotherapy response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is inconclusive. However, a recent study suggests that the existence of a 17 beta-estradiol/ER alpha/PDL1 signaling loop in NSCLC is a key factor determining the response to immunotherapy, opening up new therapeutic options.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zvonimir A. Rako, Athiththan Yogeswaran, Balint K. Lakatos, Alexandra Fabian, Selin Yildiz, Bruno Brito da Rocha, Istvan Vadasz, Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani, Werner Seeger, Henning Gall, Nils C. Kremer, Manuel J. Richter, Pascal Bauer, Ryan J. Tedford, Robert Naeije, Attila Kovacs, Khodr Tello
Summary: This study aimed to assess the relationship between right ventricular contraction pattern and right ventricular-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling. The results showed that early RV-PA uncoupling is associated with reduced longitudinal function, while advanced uncoupling leads to reduced anteroposterior movement and left ventricular preload. These findings are important for risk assessment in patients.
JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andres Alberro-Brage, Vitalii Kryvenko, Christina Malainou, Stefan Guenther, Rory E. Morty, Werner Seeger, Susanne Herold, Christos Samakovlis, Istvan Vadasz
Summary: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication of influenza virus (IV) infection, which leads to the accumulation and impairment of alveolar protein. It has been found that IV infection inhibits the clearance of alveolar protein, possibly through upregulation of a proteinase called MMP. In addition, inhibition of MMP proteinase may improve the clearance of alveolar protein and thus provide a potential therapeutic approach for ARDS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Anna Jablonska, Nuria Galan, Jennifer Barranco, Sergio Leon, Ramon Robledano, Jose Ignacio Echeveste, Alfonso Calvo, Javier Aristu, Diego Serrano
Summary: This study investigates the role of STAT3 and other inflammatory markers in the development of brain radiation necrosis (RN). The results suggest that STAT3 plays an important role in RN development, and targeting STAT3 may be a promising strategy for ameliorating symptomatic RN in brain metastases patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Hristos Karakizlis, Vipul Agarwal, Mostafa Aly, Kevin Strecker, Benjamin Csala, Isla Esso, Jiangping Chen, Christian Nahrgang, Martin Wolter, Heiko Slanina, Christian G. Schuettler, Soenke Jessen, Claudio Ronco, Werner Seeger, Rolf Weimer, Martina Sester, Horst-Walter Birk, Faeq Husain-Syed
JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)