Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanya Liburkin-Dan, Shira Toledano, Gera Neufeld
Summary: The five genes of the lysyl oxidase family encode enzymes that stabilize the extracellular matrix by cross-linking collagen and elastin. Some of these genes, particularly LOX and LOXL2, are upregulated in hypoxia and promote tumor invasion and metastasis. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of lysyl oxidases in tumor progression and the development of inhibitors for cancer treatment and fibrosis-associated diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shanshan Zhu, Tian Zhang, Huan Gao, Guorui Jin, Jin Yang, Xiaocong He, Hui Guo, Feng Xu
Summary: Chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment is commonly used in clinics but has limited efficacy due to poor specificity and tumor microenvironment-induced diffusion barrier. A combination therapy strategy based on an extracellular matrix modulator and tumor microenvironment-responsive drug is developed, demonstrating outstanding therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. This mechanochemical approach provides a promising approach for breast cancer therapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaodi Gong, Jing Wang, Linlin Yang, Lijuan Li, Xiaoyan Gao, Xiao Sun, Jingfeng Bai, Jichang Liu, Xin Pu, Yudong Wang
Summary: Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is achieved through Fenton-like reactions in the tumor microenvironment, using high H2O2 levels to generate hydroxyl radicals against tumors. However, endogenous H2O2 is not sufficient for effective chemodynamic responses. In this study, a therapeutic window for NQO1 bioactive drug beta-lapachone (beta-Lap) is identified in endometrial cancer (EC), where NQO1 catalyzes beta-Lap to produce excess H2O2 and initiate oxidative stress that selectively targets NQO1(high) EC cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatiane Renata Fagundes, Tiago Bervelieri Madeira, Gabriella Pasqual Melo, Heloiza Paranzini Bordini, Poliana Camila Marinello, Suzana Lucy Nixdorf, Alessandra Lourenco Cecchini, Rodrigo Cabral Luiz
Summary: This study found that caffeine can enhance the effects of dacarbazine on melanoma, by increasing its biotransformation, inducing apoptosis and DNA damage, and reducing levels of malondialdehyde. These promising results should be further evaluated in vivo experimental models.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nathalie Babl, Sonja-Maria Decking, Florian Voll, Michael Althammer, Ada Sala-Hojman, Roberta Ferretti, Clarissa Korf, Christian Schmidl, Lisa Schmidleithner, Benedikt Nerb, Carina Matos, Gudrun E. Koehl, Peter Siska, Christina Bruss, Fabian Kellermeier, Katja Dettmer, Peter J. Oefner, Marvin Wichland, Ines Ugele, Christopher Bohr, Wolfgang Herr, Shivapriya Ramaswamy, Timo Heinrich, Christian Herhaus, Marina Kreutz, Kathrin Renner
Summary: Inhibition of MCT4 alone can improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, reverse lactic-acid driven immunosuppression, and have potential clinical significance in improving the treatment outcomes of rectal cancer patients.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lisanne Mout, Martin E. van Royen, Corrina de Ridder, Debra Stuurman, Wesley S. van de Geer, Rute Marques, Stefan A. J. Buck, Pim J. French, Harmen J. G. van de Werken, Ron H. J. Mathijssen, Ronald de Wit, Martijn P. Lolkema, Wytske M van Weerden
Summary: The study demonstrated that combining enzalutamide with cabazitaxel significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of cabazitaxel in CRPC models. Enzalutamide alone did not reduce tumor growth effectively, but it suppressed AR signaling significantly.
Article
Biology
Alba Nicolas-Boluda, Javier Vaquero, Lene Vimeux, Thomas Guilbert, Sarah Barrin, Chahrazade Kantari-Mimoun, Matteo Ponzo, Gilles Renault, Piotr Deptula, Katarzyna Pogoda, Robert Bucki, Ilaria Cascone, Jose Courty, Laura Fouassier, Florence Gazeau, Emmanuel Donnadieu
Summary: The study found that tumor stiffness is strongly correlated with tumor growth and ECM crosslinking, but negatively correlated with T cell migration. Interfering with collagen stabilization can reduce ECM content and tumor stiffness, improving T cell migration and the efficacy of anti-PD-1 blockade.
Article
Oncology
Clare F. Malone, Minjee Kim, Gabriela Alexe, Kathleen Engel, Alexandra B. Forman, Amanda Robichaud, Amy Saur Conway, Amy Goodale, Ashleigh Meyer, Delan Khalid, Allen Thayakumar, John M. Hatcher, Nathanael S. Gray, Federica Piccioni, Kimberly Stegmaier
Summary: Rare but frequent in relapsed neuroblastoma, mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway can be effectively targeted with combination therapy of MEK inhibitors and CDK8 inhibitors. Loss of CCNC or CDK8 sensitizes neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition, and small-molecule kinase inhibitors of CDK8 enhance the response to MEK inhibitors. This research introduces a potential therapeutic combination for RAS-mutant neuroblastoma.
Article
Plant Sciences
Cassandra L. Roberge, Rebecca T. Miceli, Lillian R. Murphy, David M. Kingsley, Richard A. Gross, David T. Corr
Summary: Sophorolipids, derived from nonpathogenic yeasts, have potential efficacy in anticancer applications. They can be synthesized cost-effectively, making them promising alternatives to traditional chemotherapeutics. This study screened two sophorolipids and a clinically-used chemotherapeutic on breast cancer models in various dimensions. The findings demonstrate the importance of 3D tumor models in assessing drug response and suggest that one of the sophorolipids could be comparable in toxicity to the chemotherapeutic control.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jungho Ahn, Da-Hyun Kim, Dong-Jun Koo, Jungeun Lim, Tae-Eun Park, Jungseub Lee, Jihoon Ko, Seongchan Kim, Minjae Kim, Kyung-Sun Kang, Dal-Hee Min, Sung-Yon Kim, YongTae Kim, Noo Li Jeon
Summary: This study established a vascularized tumor spheroid (VTS) model to recapitulate the pathological features of solid tumors. The tumor-EC hybrid spheroids with self-assembled intratumoral vessels showed improved uniformity and peritumoral angiogenic capacity compared to spheroids composed only of cancer cells. The blood vessels sprouting around the hybrid spheroids on the VTS chip displayed the distinctive characteristics of leaky tumor vessels. The study validated the suppressive effects of axitinib on tumor growth and angiogenesis in the VTS model.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dominik Lewandowski, Andrzej T. Foik, Roman Smidak, Elliot H. Choi, Jianye Zhang, Thanh Hoang, Aleksander Tworak, Susie Suh, Henri Leinonen, Zhiqian Dong, Antonio Fm Pinto, Emily Tom, Jennings Luu, Joan Lee, Xiuli Ma, Erhard Bieberich, Seth Blackshaw, Alan Saghatelian, David C. Lyon, Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, Marcin Tabaka, Krzysztof Palczewski
Summary: The absence of AdipoR1 in mice leads to progressive photoreceptor degeneration, reduced electroretinogram amplitudes, decreased retinoid content, and reduced cone opsin expression. Accumulation of ceramides in the AdipoR1(-/-) retina results in photoreceptor death. Treatment with desipramine/L-cycloserine lowers ceramide levels and protects photoreceptors in AdipoR1(-/-) mice. Prolonged treatment with these drugs improves cone-mediated retinal function and corrects the electrical responses of the primary visual cortex.
Article
Oncology
Chang W. Song, Hyunkyung Kim, Haeun Cho, Mi-Sook Kim, Sun-Ha Paek, Heon-Joo Park, Robert J. Griffin, Stephanie Terezakis, Lawrence Chinsoo Cho
Summary: High-dose hypofractionated radiation stimulates anti-tumor immune response but also increases immune suppression mediated by HIF alpha. Inhibition of HIF-1 alpha can restore radiation-induced anti-tumor immunity. Combination of HIF-1 alpha inhibitors with immune checkpoint blocking antibodies may enhance overall anti-tumor immune profile.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Suchen Bian, Haijiang Dong, Long Zhao, Zequn Li, Jian Chen, Xingxin Zhu, Nasha Qiu, Xing Jia, Wenfeng Song, Zekuan Li, Shusen Zheng, Hangxiang Wang, Penghong Song
Summary: Losartan nanoblocker (Los NB) remodels the tumor microenvironment, enhances the accumulation and penetration of drugs in tumor tissues, and improves the therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a potential clinical transformation for stroma-rich PDAC treatment.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Feng-Qin Luo, Wei Xu, Jing-Yang Zhang, Rong Liu, Yong-Cong Huang, Chunsheng Xiao, Jin-Zhi Du
Summary: In this study, a nanocomposite hydrogel was developed to improve local drug delivery by enhancing drug retention and penetration in tumor tissues. The results showed that the nanocomposite hydrogel effectively inhibited tumor growth and metastasis.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan-Qing Li, Megumi Murakami, Yang-Hui Huang, Tai-Ho Hung, Shun-Ping Wang, Yu-Shan Wu, Suresh V. Ambudkar, Chung-Pu Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that hydroxygenkwanin can reverse multidrug resistance in cancer cells by inhibiting the drug transport function of ABCG2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mascha S. Recks, Nicolai B. Grether, Franziska van der Broeck, Alla Ganscher, Nicole Wagner, Erik Henke, Sueleyman Erguen, Michael Schroeter, Stefanie Kuerten
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
F. Roehrig, S. Vorlova, H. Hoffmann, M. Wartenberg, F. E. Escorcia, S. Keller, M. Tenspoldel, I. Weigand, S. Gaetzner, K. Manova, O. Penack, D. A. Scheinberg, A. Rosenwald, S. Erguen, Z. Granot, E. Henke
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonie Rossow, Simona Veitl, Sandra Vorlova, Jacqueline K. Wax, Anja E. Kuhn, Verena Maltzahn, Berin Upcin, Franziska Karl, Helene Hoffmann, Sabine Gaetzner, Matthias Kallius, Rajender Nandigama, Daniela Scheld, Ster Irmak, Sabine Herterich, Alma Zernecke, Sueleyman Ergun, Erik Henke
Review
Cell Biology
Rajender Nandigama, Berin Upcin, Bertal H. Aktas, Sueleyman Erguen, Erik Henke
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Hematology
Julia Volz, Elmina Mammadova-Bach, Jesus Gil-Pulido, Rajender Nandigama, Katharina Remer, Lydia Sorokin, Alma Zernecke, Scott I. Abrams, Sueleyman Erguen, Erik Henke, Bernhard Nieswandt
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Bertal H. Aktas, Berin Upcin, Erik Henke, Manju Padmasekar, Xuebin Qin, Suleyman Ergun
STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philipp Woersdoerfer, Nahide Dalda, Anna Kern, Sarah Krueger, Nicole Wagner, Chee Keong Kwok, Erik Henke, Suleyman Erguen
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Antonio Giovanni Solimando, Matteo Claudio Da Via', Patrizia Leone, Giorgio Croci, Paola Borrelli, Paula Tabares Gaviria, Andreas Brandl, Giuseppe Di Lernia, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Silvio Tafuri, Umair Munawar, Torsten Steinbrunn, Alessandra Balduini, Assunta Melaccio, Hilka Rauert-Wunderlich, Katharina Schmiedgen, Hannah Manz, Paolo Ditonno, Roberto Ria, Erik Henke, Carolina Terragna, Wolfram Klapper, Nora Trinks, Ulrich Terpitz, Giacomo Corleone, Leo Rasche, Andreas Rosenwald, Martin Kortuem, Michele Cavo, Domenico Ribatti, Vito Racanelli, Hermann Einsele, Angelo Vacca, Andreas Beilhack
Article
Hematology
Antonio G. Solimando, Matteo C. Da Via, Patrizia Leone, Paola Borrelli, Giorgio A. Croci, Paula Tabares, Andreas Brandl, Giuseppe Di Lernia, Francesco P. Bianchi, Silvio Tafuri, Torsten Steinbrunn, Alessandra Balduini, Assunta Melaccio, Simona De Summa, Antonella Argentiero, Hilka Rauert-Wunderlich, Maria A. Frassanito, Paolo Ditonno, Erik Henke, Wolfram Klapper, Roberto Ria, Carolina Terragna, Leo Rasche, Andreas Rosenwald, K. Martin Kortum, Michele Cavo, Domenico Ribatti, Vito Racanelli, Hermann Einsele, Angelo Vacca, Andreas Beilhack
Summary: The interaction between malignant multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells and the microenvironment, particularly bone marrow MM endothelial cells expressing junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), plays a crucial role in regulating MM progression. Elevated expression of JAM-A in MM endothelial cells is associated with poor clinical outcomes and advanced disease. Blocking JAM-A has shown to restrict angiogenesis and impede MM progression, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for halting neo-angiogenesis in MM.
Article
Cell Biology
Berin Upcin, Erik Henke, Florian Kleefeldt, Helene Hoffmann, Andreas Rosenwald, Ster Irmak-Sav, Huseyin Bertal Aktas, Uwe Ruckschloss, Suleyman Ergun
Summary: Recent studies have revealed that vascular wall-resident stem and progenitor cells (VW-SPCs) play a crucial role in tumor vascularization, affecting the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy significantly. Using an ex vivo model, it was found that removing VW-SPCs considerably delayed capillary-like sprout formation and reduced new vessel network formation. The data suggest that comprehensive approaches are required in order to block all mechanisms contributing to tumor vascularization effectively.
Article
Biology
David Ascheid, Magdalena Baumann, Caroline Funke, Julia Volz, Juergen Pinnecker, Mike Friedrich, Marie Hoehn, Rajender Nandigama, Sueleyman Erguen, Bernhard Nieswandt, Katrin G. Heinze, Erik Henke
Summary: In tumor therapy, anti-angiogenic approaches can improve the efficacy of subsequently or co-administered drugs by normalizing the defective tumor blood vessels. A comprehensive evaluation of the vascular network using high-resolution angiographic images can effectively assess the degree of disorganization in different tumor entities and predict the potential reversal under therapeutic treatment.
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Berin Upcin, Daniel Szi-Marton, Erik Henke, Suleyman Ergun, Bertal Huseyin Aktas
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erik Henke, Rajender Nandigama, Suleyman Ergun
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Oncology
Florian Roehrig, Almut Schulze
NATURE REVIEWS CANCER
(2016)