Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luxi Yang, Qing Ge, Zhitong Ye, Lijing Wang, Liping Wang, Mubarak Ahmed Mashrah, Janak L. Pathak
Summary: Periodontitis is a prevalent oral inflammatory disease that can lead to tooth loss and oral health problems. It mainly affects periodontal tissue by affecting the host immune system and bone homeostasis. This disease is associated with various systemic diseases, including diabetes, which is another common inflammatory disease. Combining anti-inflammatory drugs with antibiotics may be a treatment option for periodontitis in patients with diabetes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Rachel M. Morris, Toni O. Mortimer, Kim L. O'Neill
Summary: Cytokines play a crucial role in cancer development, influencing immune function, inflammation, and tumor cell survival. They also have a significant impact on the molecular biology and microbiology of the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, cytokines have become attractive targets for cancer treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chengyu Liu, Hong Chen, Bicheng Hu, Jiajian Shi, Yuchen Chen, Kun Huang
Summary: The widespread clinical use of statins has significantly reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Dyslipidemia is found to be an important risk factor for cancer, and statins act as powerful inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase to prevent and intervene in cancer development and enhance sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. The anti-cancer mechanisms of statins include inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and modulation of angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, tumor metastasis, and tumor microenvironment. Clinical studies have shown the therapeutic potentials and feasibility of combining statins with other anti-cancer agents in cancer prevention and treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zhiqiang Wang, Zhou Lu, Shengli Lin, Jie Xia, Ziwen Zhong, Zhangjuan Xie, Yun Xing, Jingbo Qie, Mengxia Jiao, Yifan Li, Haoyu Wen, Pengyuan Zhao, Dan Zhang, Pinghong Zhou, Jiawen Qian, Feifei Luo, Luman Wang, Hongxiu Yu, Jie Liu, Jie Gu, Ronghua Liu, Yiwei Chu
Summary: A subset of B cells expressing leucine-tRNA-synthase-2 (LARS2) with a transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) regulatory feature has been identified in both mouse and human colorectal cancer (CRC). These cells exhibit a leucine nutrient preference and are located outside the tertiary lymphoid structure. They are associated with colorectal hyperplasia and shortened survival in CRC patients. A leucine diet can induce the generation of LARS B cells, while deletion of Lars2 gene or leucine blockage can repress CRC immunoevasion. Mechanistically, LARS2 regulates mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) regeneration and oxidative metabolism, involving the NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1).
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Wigner, Radoslaw Grebowski, Michal Bijak, Joanna Saluk-Bijak, Janusz Szemraj
Summary: Bladder cancer is a dangerous disease, with men being at higher risk and risk factors including chemical exposure and genetic factors. Studies suggest that inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis disorders may promote the development of bladder cancer, and gene polymorphisms may affect the risk of the disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Francesca Maria Consonni, Barbara Durante, Marcello Manfredi, Augusto Bleve, Chiara Pandolfo, Valentina Garlatti, Virginia Vita Vanella, Emilio Marengo, Elettra Barberis, Barbara Bottazzi, Sara Bombace, Ilaria My, Gianluigi Condorelli, Valter Torri, Antonio Sica
Summary: Despite being more susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the mechanisms underlying the predisposition of cancer patients to severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unknown. Utilizing a combination of flow cytometry and multiomics, this study identifies immunometabolic pathways that intersect with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The findings suggest that cancer not only dampens the inflammatory state in COVID-19 patients but also weakens their metabolic state through interference with NAD(+)-dependent immune homeostasis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gang Dong, Yu-heng Li, Jing-si Guo, Qi-qi Lin, Mei-yan Deng, Wen-han Xue, Xin-yan Li, Fan-hao Meng
Summary: Based on previous work, this study focused on the further search for more effective and less damaging inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (TS). A series of (E)-N-(2-benzyl hydrazine-1-carbonyl) phenyl-2,4-deoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro pyrimidine-5-sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized and reported for the first time after structural optimization. The compound DG1 showed potential as a TS inhibitor for treating NSCLC angiogenesis, as it exhibited direct binding to TS proteins, promoted apoptosis in cancer cells, and inhibited cancer tissue proliferation and angiogenesis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Leonardo Cristinziano, Luca Modestino, Alessandro Antonelli, Gianni Marone, Hans-Uwe Simon, Gilda Varricchi, Maria Rosaria Galdiero
Summary: Neutrophils, in addition to their well-known functions in the acute phases of the immune response, play important roles in tumor initiation and progression through the release of various mediators. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), composed of DNA and decorating proteins, not only trap and kill extracellular pathogens, but also have both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer-related inflammation. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the emerging effects of NETs in cancer initiation and progression.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Remo Poto, Leonardo Cristinziano, Luca Modestino, Amato de Paulis, Gianni Marone, Stefania Loffredo, Maria Rosaria Galdiero, Gilda Varricchi
Summary: Human neutrophils play a significant role in the host response against pathogens, and recent research has revealed their functional plasticity and involvement in cancer and angiogenesis. Neutrophils release angiogenic factors and form NETs, which promote tumor growth and metastasis through various mechanisms. Understanding the functions of NETs in cancer and angiogenesis could be important for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tumors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sean M. O'Cathail, Chieh-Hsi Wu, Rachael Thomas, Maria A. Hawkins, Tim S. Maughan, Annabelle Lewis
Summary: This study demonstrates that NRF2 plays a role in mediating radiation resistance in colorectal cancer, with potential therapeutic implications. By affecting metabolic pathways, NRF2 may improve radioresistance in rectal cancer patients and could be a target for therapeutic interventions.
Review
Cell Biology
Paulina Wigner, Radoslaw Grebowski, Michal Bijak, Janusz Szemraj, Joanna Saluk-Bijak
Summary: Urolithiasis is a common urological disease that is on the rise, likely due to changes in diet and lifestyle. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with kidney stones, and factors such as inflammation, oxidant-antioxidant imbalance, and angiogenesis may play crucial roles in the development of nephrolithiasis.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Miaomiao Wang, Zhaoyu Wang, Yueyue Miao, Hongkui Wei, Jian Peng, Yuanfei Zhou
Summary: This study found that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can serve as an important signaling molecule to regulate placental angiogenesis and improve reproductive performance in maternal obesity. Treatment with the H2S donor diallyl trisulfide (DATS) promoted placental angiogenesis by regulating lipid metabolism and alleviating inflammatory responses in obese pregnant mice.
Review
Oncology
Tiantian Wu, Wannian Yang, Aiqin Sun, Zhixiao Wei, Qiong Lin
Summary: CXC chemokines are small chemotactic and secreted cytokines that are dysregulated in multiple types of cancer and closely correlated with tumor progression. They play crucial roles in promoting angiogenesis, stimulating inflammatory responses, and facilitating tumor metastases. They have the potential to serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yusen Hao, Hui Li, Jiajun Guo, Dan Wang, Jiamin Zhang, Jinjian Liu, Cuihong Yang, Yumin Zhang, Guoliang Li, Jianfeng Liu
Summary: Radiotherapy is an important cancer treatment method, but it can cause adverse reactions and injuries to the skin. This study designed an antioxidant heparin-mimetic peptide hydrogel (K16) for repairing radiation-induced skin injuries (RISI). The K16 hydrogel can scavenge excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), prevent radiation damage to DNA, promote cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, and eliminate inflammation at the wound site. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the K16 hydrogel inhibits wound degradation, reduces inflammation, and promotes wound healing. Therefore, the K16 hydrogel has great potential for application in repairing radiation-induced skin injuries.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Debrup Chakraborty, Wei Jin, Jing Wang
Summary: Adiponectin is closely associated with metabolism and cancer, with low levels reported in obesity, inflammatory diseases, and various cancers including colorectal cancer. However, the exact function and mechanisms of adiponectin in colorectal cancer remain unclear, with contradictory reports on its role in cancer. Further research is needed to better understand adiponectin's function in tumor development.
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Sourav Bhattacharjee, D. Ceri Davies, Jane C. Holland, Jonathan M. Holmes, David Kilroy, Imelda M. McGonnell, Alison L. Reynolds
Summary: The emergence of new diseases in humans, driven by factors like climate change, population growth, deforestation and agriculture, highlights the need to re-examine health concepts. The One Health concept provides a holistic approach to explaining diseases resulting from interactions between humans, environment and animals.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Niamh Mahon, Kayleigh Slater, Justine O'Brien, Yolanda Alvarez, Alison Reynolds, Breandan Kennedy
Summary: The quininib series is a collection of small-molecule drugs with various activities, including antiangiogenic, antivascular permeability, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. It has the potential to be used as a therapeutic target for retinal vasculopathies and ocular cancers.
JOURNAL OF OCULAR PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Husvinee Sundaramurthi, Sandra Garcia-Mulero, Valentina Tonelotto, Kayleigh Slater, Simone Marcone, Josep M. Piulats, Ronald William Watson, Desmond J. Tobin, Lasse D. Jensen, Breandan N. Kennedy
Summary: The drug ACY-1215 has been found to inhibit the growth of primary ocular uveal melanoma (UM) cells and UM cells that have spread to the liver, offering potential as a treatment for advanced UM.
Article
Oncology
Maria Davern, Noel E. Donlon, Fiona O'Connell, Caoimhe Gaughan, Cillian O'Donovan, Mohammed Habash, Andrew D. Sheppard, Michael MacLean, Margaret R. Dunne, Jenny Moore, Hugo Temperley, Melissa J. Conroy, Christine Butler, Anshul Bhardwaj, Narayanasamy Ravi, Claire L. Donohoe, John V. Reynolds, Joanne Lysaght
Summary: Tumour acidosis inhibits anti-tumour immunity and affects the profiles of T cells in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can enhance anti-tumour T cell immunity under acidosis. Lactate is linked to metastasis.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Marco Brugnera, Flavia Messina, Alison Reynolds, Niall O'Reilly, Giedrius Kalesnykas, Rocio Herrero-Vanrell, Breandan Kennedy, Irene Bravo-Osuna
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kayleigh Slater, Rosa Bosch, Kaelin Francis Smith, Chowdhury Arif Jahangir, Sandra Garcia-Mulero, Arman Rahman, Fiona O'Connell, Josep M. Piulats, Valerie O'Neill, Noel Horgan, Sarah E. Coupland, Jacintha O'Sullivan, William M. Gallagher, Alberto Villanueva, Breandan N. Kennedy
Summary: A study found that high expression of CysLT(1) is associated with poor prognosis in primary uveal melanoma (UM). Additionally, quininib and 1,4-dihydroxy quininib drugs were able to alter cancer hallmarks of UM cell lines in vitro. The study also highlighted the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of CysLT(1) and ATP5F1B in UM.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Fiona O'Connell, Eimear Mylod, Noel E. Donlon, Aisling B. Heeran, Christine Butler, Anshul Bhardwaj, Sinead Ramjit, Michael Durand, Gerard Lambe, Paul Tansey, Ivan Welartne, Kevin P. Sheahan, Xiaofei Yin, Claire L. Donohoe, Narayanasamy Ravi, Margaret R. Dunne, Lorraine Brennan, John V. Reynolds, Helen M. Roche, Jacintha O'Sullivan
Summary: This study conducted a detailed assessment of adipose tissue metabolism and secreted pro-inflammatory, metabolite, and lipid profiles in OAC patients. The study found that OAC patients with obesity and metabolic dysfunction had increased metabolic profiles linked to tumorigenesis and inflammation. These findings suggest that targeting these altered signaling mechanisms could potentially aid current treatment strategies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Patrizia Colucci, Martina Giannaccini, Matteo Baggiani, Breandan N. Kennedy, Luciana Dente, Vittoria Raffa, Chiara Gabellini
Summary: This study developed a polymer-based nanocarrier for neuroprotective drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. Polyacrylamide nanoparticles (ANPs) were used to target the posterior eye and deliver neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) for neuroprotection. The nanocarrier showed improved visual function and reduced apoptosis in a retinal degeneration model in zebrafish. It also counteracted visual impairment caused by exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). These findings suggest that this polymeric drug delivery system holds promise for targeted treatment against retinal degeneration.
Article
Neurosciences
Ailis L. Moran, John D. Fehilly, Oliver Blacque, Breandan N. Kennedy
Summary: The eye is a suitable target for gene therapy due to its accessibility, immunoprivileged state, and compartmentalized structure. There are ongoing clinical trials for therapeutic gene strategies for inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs). However, there is still a need for effective therapies for the majority of IRD-causing genes.
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marzia Pendino, Sandra Garcia Mulero, Rebeca Sanz Pamplona, Simone Marcone, Fiona O'Connell, Jacintha O'Sullivan, Josep Piulats, Breandan Kennedy
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Fiona O'Connell, Eimear Mylod, Ailsing B. Heeran, Noel E. Donlon, Maria Davern, Christine Butler, Anshul Bhardwaj, Claire Donohoe, Narayanasamy Ravi, John V. Renyolds, Margaret R. Dunne, Helen M. Roche, Jacintha O'Sullivan
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Ailis Moran, John Fehilly, Eugene Dillon, Michelle Carey, Oliver Blacque, Breandan N. Kennedy
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Marzia Pendino, Sandra Garcia Mulero, Rebecca Sanz Pamplona, Simone Marcone, Kayleigh Slater, Josep M. Piulats, Breandan N. Kennedy
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Breandan N. Kennedy, John Fehilly, Marc Cerrada-Gimenez, Simon Kaja, Giedrius Kalesnykas, Robert Scoffin, Justine O'Brien
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Xinru Zhou, Yin Jia, Chuanbin Mao, Shanrong Liu
Summary: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), such as exosomes, have emerged as crucial targets for liquid biopsy and promising drug delivery vehicles in tumor progression. They can serve as biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and as drug carriers for cancer treatment.
Article
Oncology
Ruochan Chen, Ju Zhu, Xiao Zhong, Jie Li, Rui Kang, Daolin Tang
Summary: The interplay between autophagy and apoptosis plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy, with HMGB1 serving as a key regulator in these processes.
Article
Oncology
Zongfu Pan, Xixuan Lu, Tong Xu, Jinming Chen, Lisha Bao, Ying Li, Yingying Gong, Yulu Che, Xiaozhou Zou, Zhuo Tan, Ping Huang, Minghua Ge
Summary: This study uncovered the emerging role of HN1 in promoting dedifferentiation of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. HN1 negatively regulated the thyroid differentiation markers and had an inhibitory effect on the transcriptional activation of CTCF, thereby influencing the chromatin accessibility of thyroid differentiation genes.
Article
Oncology
Yi Qin, Shengjun Xiong, Jun Ren, Gautam Sethi
Summary: Autophagy plays an important regulatory role in glioblastoma, and its dysregulation can lead to drug resistance and radioresistance. It also affects stem cell characteristics, overall growth, and metastasis. Therefore, autophagy is a promising target for glioblastoma therapy.
Article
Oncology
Katsuya Nagaoka, Xuewei Bai, Dan Liu, Kevin Cao, Joud Mulla, Chengcheng Ji, Hongze Chen, Muhammad Azhar Nisar, Amalia Bay, William Mueller, Grace Hildebrand, Jin-Song Gao, Shaolei Lu, Hiroko Setoyama, Yasuhito Tanaka, Jack R. Wands, Chiung-Kuei Huang
Summary: This study found that serum 2-OG levels in cholangiocarcinoma patients are associated with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Patients with progressive disease showed significantly higher levels of serum 2-OG compared to stable disease and partial response patients. The study also revealed that overexpression of ASPH mimics the effects of 2-OG, and knockdown of ASPH improves chemotherapy. Targeting ASPH enhances the effects of chemotherapy by modulating ATM and ATR, two key regulators of DDRs.
