Review
Oncology
Veronica Davalos, Manel Esteller
Summary: Cancer development is caused by changes in the structure and function of the genome. Epigenetic alterations regulate gene expression programs that promote tumorigenesis and can be used as useful tools in clinical decision making. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic modifications can be reversed, making them an attractive target for drug development.
CA-A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcello Bergonzini, Francesco Loreni, Antonio Lio, Marco Russo, Guglielmo Saitto, Antonio Cammardella, Francesco Irace, Corrado Tramontin, Massimo Chello, Mario Lusini, Antonio Nenna, Chiara Ferrisi, Federico Ranocchi, Francesco Musumeci
Summary: Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), including DNA and histone methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs are also involved, regulating gene expression patterns. The concept of personalized medicine has gained attention in CAD research, and understanding the interplay between genetic variants and epigenetic modifications holds promise for more precise diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dana Jurkovicova, Christiana M. Neophytou, Ana Cipak Gasparovic, Ana Cristina Goncalves
Summary: Resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy is a common occurrence in cancer patients, necessitating the continuous investigation and development of new cancer therapies. The DNA damage response (DDR) plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability, but defects in DDR machinery are associated with different types of cancers. Current developments include the use of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors) as DDR inhibitors (DDRi) for various cancers. However, resistance to DDRi, including PARP inhibitors, is becoming a growing concern in clinical settings. This review highlights the importance of DDR pathways in cancer therapy, its role in treatment resistance, and its potential for anticancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Franziska R. Traube, Natercia F. Bras, Wynand P. Roos, Corinna C. Sommermann, Tamara Diehl, Robert J. Mayer, Armin R. Ofial, Markus Mueller, Hendrik Zipse, Thomas Carell
Summary: 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine is a drug used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia by targeting epigenetic regulation. A recently developed carbocyclic AzadC analogue shows stronger anti-proliferative effects and induces more DNA damage in cancer cells compared to AzadC, making it a promising next generation epigenetic drug.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria J. Pajares, Ester Alemany-Cosme, Saioa Goni, Eva Bandres, Cora Palanca-Ballester, Juan Sandoval
Summary: Cancer is a complex disease involving alterations in multiple processes, with genetic and epigenetic features as core factors. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs, play a key role in cancer initiation and progression by controlling cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The expression of microRNAs is regulated by other epigenetic factors, resulting in aberrant expression patterns in cancer, and evaluating aberrant microRNA landscape holds promise for cancer management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junfeng Jiang, Yuanyuan Chen, Li Zhang, Qishu Jin, Liujun Wang, Sha Xu, Kexin Chen, Li Li, Tao Zeng, Xingfei Fan, Tingting Liu, Jiaxi Li, Jinjiang Wang, Chaofeng Han, Fu Gao, Yanyong Yang, Yue Wang
Summary: This study developed a new precise personalized strategy, named i-CRISPR, for cancer treatment by adding DNA damage repair inhibitors (i) and inducing cancer cell-specific DNA double strand breaks using CRISPR. The efficacy of this strategy was confirmed in multiple cancer models through in vitro and in vivo experiments, and the mechanism of cell death was revealed.
Article
Oncology
Shafiul Haque, Ritu Raina, Nazia Afroze, Arif Hussain, Ahmad Alsulimani, Vineeta Singh, Bhartendu Nath Mishra, Sanjana Kaul, Ravindra Nath Kharwar
Summary: Numerous studies have shown a strong relationship between the microbiome and cancer. Microbes are more commonly found in the body fluids of cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. Imbalance in the microbiota can lead to immunodeficiency and cancer. Some microbes are causative agents, while others promote tumor formation, but little is known about how these microbial communications cause gene and epigenome changes that trigger tumor growth.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Dipanwita Das, Nandini Karthik, Reshma Taneja
Summary: Inflammation is a crucial immune response against infection and tissue damage, but chronic inflammation is linked to cancer development. Immune cells produce inflammatory mediators to facilitate tumor growth, while aberrant expression of inflammatory factors by tumor cells recruits immune cells for mutual crosstalk, creating a conducive environment for tumor growth.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Manoj Kumar Gupta, He Peng, Yang Li, Cheng-Jian Xu
Summary: Epigenetics serves as a connection between genetic and environmental factors, and DNA methylation, in particular, has been associated with many immune-related diseases. It has great potential for personalized medicine in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Gulab Sher, Nadia Aziz Salman, Abdul Q. Khan, Kirti S. Prabhu, Afsheen Raza, Michal Kulinski, Said Dermime, Mohammad Haris, Kulsoom Junejo, Shahab Uddin
Summary: Epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, including drug resistance and stemness features. Understanding and utilizing these modifications for breast cancer management is challenging, but holds promise for providing novel diagnostic, prognostic markers, and therapeutic options.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Shuo Yang, Yang Huang, Qi Zhao
Summary: Lung cancer is a common malignancy and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type. Epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression are suggested to drive NSCLC development. Inflammation-related tumorigenesis plays a vital role in cancer research, but the exact relationship between immune components and epigenetic changes in inflammation is not clear. The connection between epigenetic drivers, inflammation, and NSCLC needs further investigation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Smita Kumari, Sudhanshu Sharma, Dia Advani, Akanksha Khosla, Pravir Kumar, Rashmi K. Ambasta
Summary: The majority of human cancers are linked to various environmental causes like physical, chemical, and biological factors, which induce DNA damage and mutations. Mutations are considered major triggers for genetic and epigenetic insults, leading to cancer. Although DNA repair mechanisms work to protect genetic stability, any aberrations in these mechanisms can provoke cancer. Understanding the types of mutagens, carcinogens, and their impact on DNA damage and cancer induction is crucial for developing rational anticancer strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Maartje Massen, Kim Lommen, Kim A. D. Wouters, Johan Vandersmissen, Wim van Criekinge, James G. Herman, Veerle Melotte, Leo J. Schouten, Manon van Engeland, Kim M. Smits
Summary: DNA methylation biomarkers for cancer have great potential for early detection and treatment response, but their clinical implementation is limited. This study evaluated technical pitfalls in the development of DNA methylation biomarkers for colorectal cancer, including variation in assay location and design quality.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Chengchen Qian, Xiaolong Zou, Wei Li, Yinshan Li, Wenqiang Yu
Summary: Cancer is the leading cause of death globally. Early detection is crucial, but effective biomarkers are lacking. DNA methylation has been studied, leading to the discovery of universal cancer only markers (UCOMs) for early detection of cancer, with potential applications in various cancer types.
CANCER BIOLOGY & MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Thabo Magwai, Khanyiso Bright Shangase, Fredrick Otieno Oginga, Bonginkosi Chiliza, Thabisile Mpofana, Khethelo Richman Xulu
Summary: Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by dissociation of thoughts, ideas, identity, and emotions. It has no central pathophysiological mechanism and precise diagnostic markers. Despite its high heritability, there are also environmental factors implicated in the development of schizophrenia. Epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, are thought to mediate the effects of environmental factors in the development of the disorder.
Article
Oncology
Georgios Petrakis, Theodora Mantso, Michail Koukourakis, Mihalis Panayiotidis, Sotiris Botaitis
Summary: In this study, an optimized hyperthermic protocol was developed against an in vitro model of human colon carcinoma as a promising monotherapy and/or adjuvant therapy approach. The protocol showed the potential to potentiate chemotherapeutic and targeted drug-induced cytotoxicity against colorectal carcinoma to a variable degree.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Panagiota Makrantoni, Anastasia Tezari, Argyris N. Stassinakis, Pavlos Paschalis, Maria Gerontidou, Pantelis Karaiskos, Alexandros G. Georgakilas, Helen Mavromichalaki, Ilya G. Usoskin, Norma Crosby, Mark Dierckxsens
Summary: The ionization of the Earth's atmosphere induced by cosmic radiation during recent solar cycles was globally studied using the CRAC:CRII model. The study found that galactic cosmic rays constitute the main source of ionization in the Earth's atmosphere and significantly contribute to radiation exposure inside the atmosphere. Specific altitudes of interest, such as those commonly used by commercial aviation, were also focused on.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gisella Figlioli, Amandine Billaud, Thomas U. Ahearn, Natalia N. Antonenkova, Heiko Becher, Matthias W. Beckmann, Sabine Behrens, Javier Benitez, Marina Bermisheva, Marinus J. Blok, Natalia Bogdanova, Bernardo Bonanni, Barbara Burwinkel, Nicola J. Camp, Archie Campbell, Jose E. Castelao, Melissa H. Cessna, Stephen J. Chanock, Kamila Czene, Peter Devilee, Thilo Doerk, Christoph Engel, Mikael Eriksson, Peter A. Fasching, Jonine D. Figueroa, Marike Gabrielson, Manuela Gago-Dominguez, Montserrat Garcia-Closas, Anna Gonzalez-Neira, Felix Grassmann, Pascal Guenel, Melanie Gundert, Andreas Hadjisavvas, Eric Hahnen, Per Hall, Ute Hamann, Patricia A. Harrington, Wei He, Peter Hillemanns, Antoinette Hollestelle, Maartje J. Hooning, Reiner Hoppe, Anthony Howell, Keith Humphreys, Agnes Jager, Anna Jakubowska, Elza K. Khusnutdinova, Yon-Dschun Ko, Vessela N. Kristensen, Annika Lindblom, Jolanta Lissowska, Jan Lubinski, Arto Mannermaa, Siranoush Manoukian, Sara Margolin, Dimitrios Mavroudis, William G. Newman, Nadia Obi, Mihalis Panayiotidis, Muhammad U. Rashid, Valerie Rhenius, Matti A. Rookus, Emmanouil Saloustros, Elinor J. Sawyer, Rita K. Schmutzler, Mitul Shah, Reijo Sironen, Melissa C. Southey, Maija Suvanto, Rob A. E. M. Tollenaar, Ian Tomlinson, Therese Truong, Lizet E. van der Kolk, Elke M. van Veen, Barbara Wappenschmidt, Xiaohong R. Yang, Manjeet K. Bolla, Joe Dennis, Alison M. Dunning, Douglas F. Easton, Michael Lush, Kyriaki Michailidou, Paul D. P. Pharoah, Qin Wang, Muriel A. Adank, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Irene L. Andrulis, Jenny Chang-Claude, Heli Nevanlinna, Georgia Chenevix-Trench, D. Gareth Evans, Roger L. Milne, Paolo Radice, Paolo Peterlongo
Summary: Evidence from the BRIDGES study suggests that germline protein truncating variants (PTVs) in FANCM are associated with increased risk of ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), particularly for those with a family history. This study further investigates the association between FANCM missense variants (MVs) and breast cancer risk using the BRIDGES study, analyzing a total of 689 MVs. The results indicate that FANCM MVs may be low/moderate risk factors for ER-negative and TNBC subtypes of breast cancer.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Abdul Wasy Zia, Ioannis Anestopoulos, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Martin Birkett
Summary: The biomedical applications of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are increasing due to their superior mechanical properties, low friction coefficient, antiwear characteristics, and biocompatibility. However, the relationship between biocompatibility and the hardness of DLC coatings remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the influence of bias voltage on the atomic structure, physical, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of DLC coatings. The results show that a softer DLC coating exhibits higher biocompatibility compared to harder coatings.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Georgia-Persephoni Voulgaridou, Vasileios Theologidis, Maria Venetikidou, Ilias Tsochantaridis, Avgi Tsolou, Maria Koffa, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Aglaia Pappa
Summary: This study investigated the cytoprotective role of ALDH3A1 and its molecular mechanisms using a stable transfected HCE-2 cell line. Results showed that ALDH3A1 expression affected cell morphology, cell adhesion, and cell cycle, and reduced apoptosis and DNA damage. Additionally, ALDH3A1 upregulated phosphorylated p53 levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Stella Logotheti, Alexandros G. Georgakilas
Article
Plant Sciences
Sotiris Kyriakou, Venetia Tragkola, Ioannis Paraskevaidis, Mihalis Plioukas, Dimitrios T. Trafalis, Rodrigo Franco, Aglaia Pappa, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis
Summary: This study discovered the anticancer potential of Epilobium parviflorum, with the methanolic extract showing significant cytotoxicity specifically in human malignant melanoma cells.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Martin Birkett, Abdul Wasy Zia, Dinesh Kumar Devarajan, Soni Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Thomas J. Joyce, Murtaza M. Tambuwala, Angel Serrano-Aroca
Summary: Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings doped with bioactive elements of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) have attracted increasing attention in recent years, as they have the potential to enhance antimicrobial and mechanical performance. These multi-functional coatings offer great potential to improve wear resistance and antimicrobial properties of load-bearing medical implants.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abdul Wasy Zia, Ioannis Anestopoulos, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Leon Bowen, Martin Birkett
Summary: Silver enriched diamond-like carbon (Ag/DLC) coatings are gaining popularity in medical applications due to their improved biocompatibility and antimicrobial features. However, higher amounts of silver in the coatings can lead to increased cytotoxic effects. This study investigated the properties of Ag-enriched DLC coatings with different amounts of silver and found that 17% Ag-enriched DLC coatings are a safe candidate for biomedical applications with retained biocompatibility. Additionally, these coatings showed less compromise on mechanical properties compared to coatings with higher silver concentrations.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sotiris Kyriakou, Louiza Potamiti, Nikoletta Demosthenous, Tom Amery, Kyle Stewart, Paul G. Winyard, Rodrigo Franco, Aglaia Pappa, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis
Summary: The aim of this study was to extract isolated fractions of watercress flowers enriched in polyphenols, phenethyl isothiocyanate and glucosinolates, and characterize their anti-cancer effects on melanoma cells and non-tumorigenic cells. The study found that the fraction enriched in phenethyl isothiocyanate had significant cytotoxicity against melanoma cells while remaining relatively non-toxic to non-tumorigenic cells. Additionally, early ultrastructural alterations in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum were observed after exposure to the extract, leading to late induction of intrinsic apoptosis.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maria Zanti, Maria A. Loizidou, Denise G. O'Mahony, Leila Dorling, Joe Dennis, Peter Devilee, Douglas F. Easton, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Andreas Hadjisavvas, Kyriaki Michailidou
Summary: This study provides population-based prevalence and gene-specific risk estimates for protein-truncating and rare missense variants. These results may have important clinical implications for women who undergo genetic testing and be pivotal for a substantial proportion of breast cancer patients in Cyprus.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonis Ververis, Sotiris Kyriakou, Kristia Ioannou, Paschalina S. Chatzopoulou, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Michael Plioukas, Kyproula Christodoulou
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in elderly individuals, with current treatments focused on symptom relief. Salvia fruticosa (SF) has been identified as a medicinal plant with neuroprotective potential. Partitioning SF extracts into different solvent fractions revealed antioxidant and anti-neurotoxic properties, with carnosol and carnosic acid being prominent compounds. These findings support SF's potential as an antioxidant and suggest its use in AD-related functional foods or medications. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of plant extract partitioning for obtaining fractions with enhanced biological properties.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gina Abdelaal, Andrew Carter, William Cheung, Mihalis Panayiotidis, Seth Racey, David Tetard, Stephany Veuger
Summary: Anti-cancer therapy by iron chelation using SK4 can inhibit multiple cellular processes and target iron addiction and LAT1 overexpression. The mode of action of SK4 was characterized using proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and seahorse real-time analysis, revealing impaired energy metabolism and a potential role of ceramide induction in the phenotypic outcome. These findings highlight the effectiveness of SK4 as a double pronged approach towards treating cancer.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cecil Cherian Lukose, Ioannis Anestopoulos, Iraklis-Stavros Panagiotidis, Guillaume Zoppi, Anna M. Black, Lynn G. Dover, Leon Bowen, Angel Serrano-Aroca, Terence Xiaoteng Liu, Lorenzo Mendola, Davide Morrone, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Martin Birkett
Summary: This study successfully imparts antimicrobial functionality to Ti3Au intermetallic alloy thin film coatings by doping controlled amounts of Ag and Cu. The resulting coatings exhibit super hardness, good corrosion resistance, low wear rate, low cytotoxicity, and significant antimicrobial properties against bacteria.
BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Angeliki Gkikoudi, Spyridon A. Kalospyros, Sotiria Triantopoulou, Stella Logotheti, Vasiliki Softa, Constantin Kappas, Kiki Theodorou, Evagelia C. Laiakis, Gina Manda, Georgia I. Terzoudi, Alexandros G. Georgakilas
Summary: This study investigates the potential of using molecular biomarkers as predictors of radiosensitivity in cancer treatment. Various molecular biomarkers, such as DNA damage response and repair proteins, inflammation and apoptosis markers, and cell cycle regulators, have been found to be positively correlated with patient radiosensitivity. The study highlights the importance of further research in this field to improve the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
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.
