Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Prema Robinson, Marisa Rosso, Miguel Munoz
Summary: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that primarily affects children and adolescents. The peptide substance P (SP) and its receptor Neurokinin-1 (NK-1R) play a significant role in osteosarcoma progression. SP promotes the proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells, while NK-1R antagonists like aprepitant inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce the expression levels of metastasis-related genes. Combination therapy of aprepitant with chemotherapy enhances the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma cells and reduces chemotherapy side-effects while providing neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, nephroprotection, and cardioprotection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shan Wang, Rong-Hong Zhang, Hong Zhang, Yu-Chan Wang, Dan Yang, Yong-Long Zhao, Guo-Yi Yan, Guo-Bo Xu, Huan-Yu Guan, Yan-Hua Zhou, Dong-Bing Cui, Ting Liu, Yong-Jun Li, Shang-Gao Liao, Meng Zhou
Summary: A series of DAPY derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potential as FAK inhibitors with strong antitumor and anti-angiogenesis activities. Compounds 11b and 12f showed potent inhibition of FAK enzymatic activities, antiproliferative effects on cancer cells, and suppression of migration and invasion. Additionally, they induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle, and inhibited the FAK/PI3K/Akt signal pathway in cancer cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael Covenas, Francisco D. Rodriguez, Prema Robinson, Miguel Munoz
Summary: The substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor system plays a role in cancer progression, and Aprepitant, as a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration, enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life for patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shaojie Yang, Shuodong Wu, Wanlin Dai, Liwei Pang, Yaofeng Xie, Tengqi Ren, Xiaolin Zhang, Shiyuan Bi, Yuting Zheng, Jingnan Wang, Yang Sun, Zhuyuan Zheng, Jing Kong
Summary: Cancer, defined as uncontrolled cell division and abnormal cell growth caused by gene mutations, requires the urgent development of safe and effective antitumor drugs. Plant extracts, such as tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) from Chuanqiong, have shown promising antitumor effects with low toxicity and adverse reactions. TMP can influence various aspects of tumor cells, enhance chemotherapy effects, and reduce associated side effects, making it a potential option for cancer treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyung Rae Ko, Hyunil Lee, Soo-Hong Han, Wooyeol Ahn, Do Kyung Kim, Il-Su Kim, Bo Sung Jung, Soonchul Lee
Summary: This review provides an overview of the role of substance P and the neurokinin-1 receptor in musculoskeletal disorders and highlights their potential as therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Braganza Cilwyn-Shalitha, Sreenivasan Sasidharan
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract on the growth of HeLa cell xenograft tumor in nude mice and its mechanism. The results showed that the leaf extract effectively inhibited the growth of HeLa cell xenograft tumors in nude mice. This inhibition was associated with apoptosis induction, decreased proliferation of HeLa cells, and reduced angiogenesis in the tumors. The findings suggest that Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract has potential as an anti-cancer agent.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Azza M. El-kattawy, Ola Algezawy, Mohammad Y. Alfaifi, Enas A. Noseer, Yousef M. Hawsawi, Othman R. Alzahrani, Abdulrahman Algarni, Khaled A. Kahilo, Mohammed A. El-Magd
Summary: Camel milk exosomes derived from colostrum have a more potent anti-cancer effect on liver cancer cells HepaRG compared to those derived from early, mid, and late lactation periods, possibly through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of inflammation and angiogenesis.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tong Xia, Hui Lei, Jianv Wang, Yijing He, Hailan Wang, Lanyang Gao, Tingting Qi, Xia Xiong, Li Liu, Yongxia Zhu
Summary: A study has found that LH-1, a type of ergosterol extracted from marine fungus, has the potential to treat malignant melanoma. The research results show that LH-1 can inhibit the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells, induce cell apoptosis, and suppress melanoma growth. Furthermore, LH-1 does not have significant toxic effects on normal tissues.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Naveen J. Roy, Shreyada N. Save, Virender Kumar Sharma, Benchamin Abraham, Abhijith Kuttanamkuzhi, Shilpy Sharma, Mayurika Lahiri, Pinaki Talukdar
Summary: NQO1, a detoxifying enzyme overexpressed in tumors, can protect cancer cells against oxidative stress. The activation of 'protransporter' systems in cancer cells has been achieved using NQO1 activatable quinones, leading to cell apoptosis. The ion transport activity of salicylamides was effectively inhibited by caging the OH group with NQO1-activatable quinones. Activation of the trapped 'protransporters' following reduction by NQO1 was verified. Both the transporters and trapped protransporters exhibited significant toxicity towards MCF-7 breast cancer cells, mediated through oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and lysosomal deacidification. Induction of cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway was confirmed by monitoring PARP1 cleavage.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Rasha G. O. Aly, Mona I. H. El-Enbaawy, Sahar S. Abd El-Rahman, Nagwa S. Ata
Summary: ST-OMVs significantly reduced tumor volume, increased tumor growth inhibition rate, promoted apoptosis, decreased tumor invasion and mitotic activities at the cellular level. Thus, it may be used as a potential safe antitumor immunotherapy or an adjuvant to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jeshma Ravindra, U. G. Yathisha, Dechamma Pandyanda Nanjappa, Krithika Kalladka, Rasik Dhakal, Anirban Chakraborty, Gunimala Chakraborty
Summary: Garlic is an important ingredient in Indian cuisine and its most abundant component, allicin, has been studied for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to develop a simple method for allicin extraction from fresh garlic and evaluate its properties in zebrafish, including antioxidant, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ran Tao, Zhan Qu, Ke Zhang, Jie Chen, Xinyu Wang, Youming Deng
Summary: This study found that Substance P (SP) promotes tissue repair by inducing the migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to the wound site. SP upregulates the expression of CXCR4 and p-Akt, and this upregulation is regulated by the activation of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). These findings provide further understanding of the mechanisms underlying SP-induced BMSCs migration and highlight the potential clinical application of SP in tissue repair.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Rosa Tundis, Jayanta Kumar Patra, Marco Bonesi, Subrata Das, Rajat Nath, Anupam Das Talukdar, Gitishree Das, Monica Rosa Loizzo
Summary: Despite advancements in treatment strategies, cancer remains a leading cause of death globally. Therefore, the main focus should be on early cancer diagnosis, optimal therapeutic strategies, and the search for more effective molecules. This review comprehensively summarizes the potential anti-cancer properties of andrographolide, highlighting its mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and potential side effects, while discussing future perspectives, challenges, and limitations of use.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Akbar Pasha, Divya Vishambhar Kumbhakar, Siva Sankar Sana, Doneti Ravinder, B. Vijaya Lakshmi, Suresh K. Kalangi, Smita C. Pawar
Summary: Green synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles from Aspergillus niger SAP2211 extract has shown to be effective against pathogenic microbes and exhibited selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells. The synthesized nanoparticles also demonstrated anti-angiogenic effects and inhibited migration and invasion in vitro.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jitao Chen, Penghui Ye, Rifang Gu, Huan Zhu, Wenjie He, Xingrui Mu, Xingqian Wu, Huiwen Pang, Felicity Han, Xuqiang Nie
Summary: This paper reviews the regulatory characteristics of neuropeptide substance P (SP) in normal and diabetic wound healing. SP actively regulates wound healing-related cells, exhibiting strong inflammatory properties, promoting cell proliferation and migration, and restoring skin cell activity and paracrine ability under diabetic conditions. Additionally, SP not only regulates healing-related cells but also orchestrates the immune environment, presenting unique and promising application prospects in wound intervention, particularly for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco Esteban, Pablo Ramos-Garcia, Miguel Munoz, Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Moles
Summary: Head and neck cancer is a growing public health problem worldwide. Recent research has shown that substance P (SP) may play an important role in cancer through the stimulation of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) or the constitutive activation of NK1R. The current literature review focuses on the relationship between the SP/NK1R system and chronic inflammation and cancer in the head and neck region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Letter
Respiratory System
Miguel Munoz, Miguel E. Munoz, Ferran Morell, Rafael Covenas
ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mario F. Munoz, Sandro Arguelles, Marisa Rosso, Rafael Medina, Rafael Covenas, Antonio Ayala, Miguel Munoz
Summary: The study aimed to increase the knowledge about the involvement of the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system in human glioma. The results showed that NK-1R is essential for the viability of GAMG and U-87 MG glioma cells, suggesting that NK-1R could be a promising and specific therapeutic target for glioma treatment.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Prema Robinson, Rafael Covenas, Miguel Munoz
Summary: Background: Chemotherapy has limitations in cancer treatment due to its ineffectiveness and severe side effects. The substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) system has been identified as a potential target for cancer treatment. Aprepitant combined with major chemotherapeutic agents has shown the potential to enhance antitumor activity and reduce side effects. Objective: This review aims to provide an update on combination therapy studies involving chemotherapy/radiotherapy and NK-1R antagonist in cancer treatment. Conclusion: This combination strategy may revolutionize chemotherapy and radiotherapy by improving antitumor activity and reducing side effects, leading to higher cure rates and better quality of life for cancer patients.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Felix-Martin Werner, Rafael Covenas
Summary: In animal experiments, scintigraphic imaging using radioimmunodetection with (125)J anti-tissue polypeptide antigen monoclonal antibodies and implanted HELA cell carcinomas yielded satisfactory results. Administration of excess unlabeled anti-mouse antibodies (AMAB) in ratios of 40:1, 200:1, and 4000:1 compared to the radioactive antibody resulted in liver accumulation of radioactivity and worsened tumor imaging. Improved immunoscintigraphic imaging can be achieved through re-performing radioimmunodetection after the formation of human anti-mouse antibodies (AMAB) and when the ratio of primary to secondary antibody is nearly equivalent, accelerating the formation of immune complexes. A second performance of radioimmunodetection four to eight weeks after the initial one can lead to better tumor imaging by utilizing the formation of human anti-mouse antibodies (AMAB) to concentrate radioactivity in the tumor.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Lisardo Sanchez, Francisco D. Rodriguez, Rafael Covenas
Summary: This study updates the current knowledge on the involvement of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and their receptors (YRs) in cancer. The roles played by these peptides in different cancer types are reviewed, and their potential as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets is discussed. NPY promotes tumor growth and metastasis in some tumors, while exerting an antitumor effect in others. PYY or its fragments can block tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion in several cancer types.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco D. Rodriguez, Manuel Lisardo Sanchez, Rafael Covenas
Summary: Harmful alcohol use, known as alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the DSM-5 classification, has various negative effects on individuals and their social and familial environments. Alcohol addiction is characterized by compulsive drinking and negative emotional states during withdrawal, often leading to relapses. The complexity of AUD involves multiple factors, including the use of other psychoactive substances. Ethanol and its metabolites directly impact tissues and may disrupt brain neurotransmission, immunity, and cell repair pathways. The review focuses on the role of neurotensin (NT) in alcohol addiction and the potential use of nonpeptide ligands to modulate the NT system in animal models of harmful drinking behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Prema Robinson, Marisa Rosso, Miguel Munoz
Summary: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that primarily affects children and adolescents. The peptide substance P (SP) and its receptor Neurokinin-1 (NK-1R) play a significant role in osteosarcoma progression. SP promotes the proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells, while NK-1R antagonists like aprepitant inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce the expression levels of metastasis-related genes. Combination therapy of aprepitant with chemotherapy enhances the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma cells and reduces chemotherapy side-effects while providing neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, nephroprotection, and cardioprotection.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael Covenas, Francisco D. Rodriguez, Prema Robinson, Miguel Munoz
Summary: The substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor system plays a role in cancer progression, and Aprepitant, as a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration, enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life for patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pilar Marcos, Rafael Covenas
Summary: Peptides play a role in tumor cell mitogenesis and migration, with overexpression of peptide receptors in cancer cells. This review discusses the involvement of the orexinergic system in thirteen cancer types, showing its upregulation in many tumors and its dual effect on apoptosis and proliferation. OXR antagonists or agonists have potential as antitumor agents. The review also explores the complexities of the orexigenic system and its potential therapeutic applications, including dimerization/oligomerization of OXRs, epigenetic mechanisms, biomarkers, combination therapy, and anti-inflammatory effects mediated by orexins.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Inmaculada Isorna, Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Moles, Miguel Munoz, Francisco Esteban
Summary: The overexpression of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in thyroid cancer cells has been found to be associated with cancer progression. NK-1R antagonists show dose-dependent antitumor effects, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and hindering cell migration and angiogenesis. Targeting NK-1R may represent a promising therapeutic approach for thyroid cancer.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Francisco D. Rodriguez, Rafael Covenas
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Lisardo Sanchez, Francisco D. D. Rodriguez, Rafael Covenas
Summary: Peptides play a crucial role in cancer progression, promoting mitogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Peptide receptors are overexpressed in tumor cells, making them potential targets for specific cancer treatments and apoptosis induction. Opioids have both anti-tumoral and pro-tumoral effects, and their involvement in cancer development is still not well understood.