Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shao-Long Chen, Guo-Ping Wang, Dan-Rong Shi, Shu-Hao Yao, Ke-Da Chen, Hang-Ping Yao
Summary: Research has shown the importance of RON in cancer pathogenesis, particularly in HBP cancers where abnormal expression and signaling of RON play a crucial role in tumor malignant behaviors. Developing therapeutics targeting RON is significant for the treatment of HBP cancers, with potential for future clinical trials to determine the efficacy of novel anti-cancer biotherapeutics such as antibody-drug conjugates.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thuy Phan, Xu Hannah Zhang, Steven Rosen, Laleh G. Melstrom
Summary: Gastrointestinal cancers are a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The p38 signaling pathway, particularly p38 gamma, plays a crucial role in cancer development and metastasis. This article provides an overview of p38 and p38 gamma in gastrointestinal cancers, as well as discusses the potential of targeting p38 gamma as a therapy.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Abner Herbert Lim, Jason Yongsheng Chan, Ming-Chin Yu, Tsung-Han Wu, Jing Han Hong, Cedric Chuan Young Ng, Zhen Jie Low, Wei Liu, Rajasegaran Vikneswari, Pin-Cheng Sung, Wen-Lang Fan, Bin Tean Teh, Sen-Yung Hsieh
Summary: This study investigates the prevalence and role of Aristolochic acid (AA) in tumorigenesis of oro-gastrointestinal tract cancers (OGITCs). The rarity of AA mutational signatures in OGITCs suggests that AA is unlikely to be a major driver of tumorigenesis in this specific type of cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keita Kouzu, Hironori Tsujimoto, Yoji Kishi, Hideki Ueno, Nariyoshi Shinomiya
Summary: Gut microbiota is closely associated with the onset and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, and bacterial translocation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of these cancers.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
George Denis Alexandru Popescu, Cristian Scheau, Ioana Anca Badarau, Mihai-Daniel Dumitrache, Ana Caruntu, Andreea-Elena Scheau, Daniel Octavian Costache, Raluca Simona Costache, Carolina Constantin, Monica Neagu, Constantin Caruntu
Summary: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are highly prevalent diseases with complicated molecular mechanisms. The treatment of these cancers is challenging due to chemoresistance and adverse reactions, leading to a growing focus on new therapies such as phytochemicals, with capsaicin being a subject of intense research.
Article
Cell Biology
Xue-Hua Du, Shao-Bo Ke, Xin-Yi Liang, Jie Gao, Xiao-Xiao Xie, Lin-Zhi Qi, Xue-Yi Liu, Guo-Yuan Xu, Xiao-Dong Zhang, Run-Lei Du, Shang-Ze Li
Summary: Our study demonstrates that USP14 functions as a deubiquitinase that interacts and stabilizes JNK, promoting MAPK/JNK signaling and colorectal carcinogenesis. Increased expression of USP14 is associated with elevated levels of JNK protein and downstream gene expression in colorectal cancer patients. Inhibition of USP14 reduces cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by downregulating the activation of the MAPK/JNK pathway.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Baoyi Ni, Xiaotong Song, Bolun Shi, Jia Wang, Qianhui Sun, Xinmiao Wang, Manman Xu, Luchang Cao, Guanghui Zhu, Jie Li
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of human death, and the use of anticancer drugs is limited. Many natural products, including ginseng, have low toxicity and can effectively treat gastrointestinal tumors.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aziz M. Rangwala, Victoria R. Mingione, George Georghiou, Markus A. Seeliger
Summary: Phosphorylation plays a vital role in regulating biological processes, and protein kinases have been extensively studied for their involvement in human health and disease. Some kinases possess additional catalytic functions in addition to phosphotransferase activity, while others have lost their catalytic activity completely. In this study, we analyzed the UniProtKB database for bifunctional protein kinases and focused on those crucial for bacterial and human cellular homeostasis. These kinases have diverse functional roles in environmental sensing, metabolic regulation, immune-host defense, and cell cycle control. This article explores their dual catalytic activities and their contributions to disease pathogenesis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmad Almatroudi, Khaled S. S. Allemailem, Wanian M. M. Alwanian, Basmah F. F. Alharbi, Faris Alrumaihi, Amjad Ali Khan, Saleh A. A. Almatroodi, Arshad Husain Rahmani
Summary: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and its incidence is increasing. Natural compounds, such as kaempferol found in vegetables and fruits, have shown potential in cancer management with minimal side effects. Kaempferol has been proven to modulate cell signaling pathways and induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. However, more clinical trials are needed to fully explore its therapeutic role, especially in cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Mahsa Saliani, Amin Mirzaiebadizi, Niloufar Mosaddeghzadeh, Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
Summary: Mutations in genes encoding RHO GTPase proteins are rare in cancer, but altered expression of RHO GTPases has been reported. lncRNAs are key regulators of gene expression and coordinate molecular processes, including post-translational regulation through miRNA sponging. lncRNAs as molecular sponges for miRNAs play a crucial role in cancer progression and offer promising approaches in cancer treatment.
Review
Oncology
Xiaodong Li, Feng Li
Summary: Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors with high mortality rate worldwide. PAK, a serine/threonine kinase, plays a crucial role in tumor phenotype by influencing cell proliferation, survival, motility, tumor cell plasticity, and the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the features and signaling pathways of PAK in cells, especially its role in gastrointestinal tumors, can provide a theoretical basis for future research on PAK and potential therapeutic targets.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Matteo Morotti, Hooman Soleymani Majd, Jvan Casarin, Moiad Alazzam, Stephen Damato
Summary: High-grade endometrial cancers are an aggressive subset of ECs, with staging surgery combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy being the primary treatment strategy. The use of next-generation sequencing has improved the understanding of EC genomics for precision medicine, but progress in genomics assessment of high-grade tumors has been slower. Knowledge of the genomics of various high-grade endometrial cancers has implications for diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Eshan Sharma, Akanksha Bhatnagar, Avantika Bhaskar, Susmita M. Majee, Martin Kieffer, Stefan Kepinski, Paramjit Khurana, Jitendra P. Khurana
Summary: The rice FB protein-coding gene OsFBX257 is differentially expressed under drought conditions and other abiotic stresses. It plays a significant role in modulating root architecture and improving drought stress tolerance in rice. OsFBX257 is a potential breeding target for alleviating drought stress-induced damage in rice.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Hsiehchen, Leslie Bucheit, Dong Yang, Muhammad Shaalan Beg, Mir Lim, Sunyoung S. Lee, Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Ahmed O. Kaseb, Hao Zhu
Summary: In this study, the genetic changes in refractory non-colorectal gastrointestinal cancers were analyzed using serial liquid biopsies. The results showed that resistance to conventional therapies is broadly associated with tumor evolution. Emergent ctDNA alterations, which are only detectable at progression, frequently correlate with treatment actionability. Repeat liquid biopsies may have clinical benefit in expanding treatment options for advanced gastrointestinal cancers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Hsiehchen, Leslie Bucheit, Dong Yang, Muhammad Shaalan Beg, Mir Lim, Sunyoung S. Lee, Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, Ahmed O. Kaseb, Hao Zhu
Summary: This study conducted serial ctDNA profiling of 449 gastrointestinal cancers to demonstrate widespread tumor evolution associated with treatment resistance and its potential implications for treatment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: This article discusses predictive biomarkers for everolimus efficacy in breast cancer. Currently, no additional predictive biomarkers to guide therapeutic decisions for everolimus have been introduced, but promising biomarker leads have been suggested, including the expression of proteins in the mTOR pathway in ER positive, HER2 negative breast cancers.
JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Breast cancer is influenced by nuclear receptors, including estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor. Non-steroid nuclear receptors, such as vitamin D receptor and thyroid receptors, also play a role in breast cancer pathophysiology. Thyroid hormones can affect breast cancer risk and cell survival through canonical receptors and additional membrane receptors. Understanding the implications of the thyroid axis in breast cancer is important for prognosis and treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Christopher Rosso, Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Emerging data suggests that breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression may benefit from newer, more potent antibody-drug conjugates. This study analyzed the characteristics of HER2 low expressors and compared them with patients with no HER2 expression. The findings show that HER2 low expression is associated with less aggressive tumor characteristics and longer overall survival compared to HER2 negative patients.
CLINICAL BREAST CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a major contributor to cancer-related morbidity and mortality, and the majority of metastatic cases remain incurable. New therapies based on a better understanding of the disease's pathogenesis are needed. Mutations in the PIK3CA gene, which encodes the catalytic sub-unit of kinase PI3K, are commonly found in colorectal cancer cell lines and patient samples. Colorectal cancer cell lines with PIK3CA mutations tend to have specific characteristics, such as being diploid, having microsatellite instability, and a high tumor mutation burden. These mutated cell lines demonstrate variable sensitivity to PI3K inhibitors, and often have multiple concomitant mutations in the PI3K/AKT and KRAS/BRAF/MEK/ERK pathways, similar to what is observed in patient samples. The presence of PIK3CA mutations in colorectal cancer cell lines is associated with microsatellite instability and increased sensitivity to PI3K inhibitors.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Alterations in the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway genes can be observed in breast cancers, particularly in the basal subtype. Two breast cancer cell line models with amplifications in PCP genes display sensitivity to inhibitors of acyl-transferase porcupine, suggesting these inhibitors may be potential candidates for combination therapy in PCP-altered breast cancers.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Christopher Rosso, Nicolas Fera, Nirosha J. Murugan, Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and has tumor-modulating effects in breast cancer. However, the associations between vitamin D levels and breast cancer patient characteristics and sub-types remain controversial. This study found that vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in breast cancer patients, especially in younger and obese patients. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with aggressive characteristics of breast cancer, such as higher grade and estrogen receptor negativity.
JOURNAL OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Copy number alterations at 8p11.23 are common in squamous non-small cell lung carcinomas. Amplified genes in this region, such as NSD3, FGFR1, and LETM2, are putative oncogenic candidates. However, the expression of other genes in the amplified region is not significantly correlated with amplification. The overall survival and relapse-free survival of patients with 8p11.23 amplification are not affected.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with various subtypes. The claudin-low subtype is associated with molecular alterations that contribute to a pro-metastatic phenotype. This study analyzed claudin-low breast cancer cases and compared them with cases without this phenotype. Significant differences in molecular alterations were found between these groups, which may have implications for targeted therapies and clinical trial design.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Breast cancers are classified based on the expression of ER, PR, and HER2 receptors. Triple-negative breast cancers do not express these receptors and have molecular heterogeneity. Claudin-low phenotype is a subset of triple-negative breast cancers and is associated with EMT. The molecular landscape and epigenetic regulators differ between claudin-low and non-suppressed triple-negative breast cancers.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a common gastrointestinal neoplasm with limited systemic treatment options. Trifluridine/tipiracil in combination with bevacizumab has shown promising efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer. This meta-analysis reports on the clinical practice outcomes of this combination therapy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis, Antonia Digklia
Summary: Genes involved in the cellular response to DNA damage play a crucial role in protecting genetic information. In cancer cells, alterations in these genes lead to genetic instability, promoting cancer progression. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are known to predispose individuals to certain types of cancer, and PARP inhibitors have been used to treat these cancers. However, the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors in pancreatic cancer with HR gene defects is still being studied. This paper reviews the prevalence of pancreatic cancers with HR gene defects and the potential treatment options.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: As the population of elderly cancer patients increases, the challenges of successful treatment also increase. Studies on colorectal cancer in patients older than 80 years old show that their characteristics are similar to younger patients, but they are more likely to have right colon cancers. Surgical treatment is feasible for selected patients over 80 years old, but adjuvant chemotherapy is under-utilized. Individualized standard treatments can optimize outcomes for colorectal cancer patients over the age of 80.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: This study examined the BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in colorectal cancer cell lines and found similarities in molecular characteristics and clinical alterations. Potential targets for treatment were discovered through vulnerabilities and dependencies identified in these cell lines.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ioannis A. Voutsadakis
Summary: Bladder carcinomas with high tumor mutation burden (TMB) not only show increased sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors, but also possess several molecular defects that could be targeted with combination therapies. These tumors have a higher prevalence of mutations in tumor suppressor genes TP53 and PIK3CA, FAT4 cadherin, as well as genes encoding for epigenetic modifier enzymes. The frequency of mutations in mismatch repair and DNA damage response genes is also higher in bladder carcinomas with high TMB. These tumors have a better prognosis compared to those with low TMB.