Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioannis M. Koukourakis, Kalliopi Platoni, Vassilis Kouloulias, Stella Arelaki, Anna Zygogianni
Summary: Under normal conditions, stem cells differentiate into mature organ/tissue-specific cells at a steady pace. However, their growth can be accelerated during tissue healing or in certain diseases. It is believed that the proliferation and growth of cancer cells are sustained by a vital cellular compartment resembling stem cells in normal tissues, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Mutations in prostate stem cells can lead to the formation of prostate cancer. Prostate CSCs (PCSCs) have been identified and characterized, expressing specific surface markers and over-activating signaling pathways. They are associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance, aggressive cancer behavior, and higher relapse rates. Developing treatment strategies to target PCSCs in tumors can improve the effectiveness of cytotoxic therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Hamed Rezayatmand, Mahboobeh Razmkhah, Iman Razeghian-Jahromi
Summary: Drug resistance caused by cancer stem cells (CSCs) is the main reason for the failure and relapse of cancer therapy. CSCs possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into heterogeneous cancer cells, and play a significant role in metastatic dissemination. Although chemotherapy can destroy most tumor cells, CSCs are left mostly intact, leading to resistance to treatment. It is crucial to understand the key features of drug resistance caused by CSCs in order to develop effective treatment strategies, but there are challenges in differentiating CSCs from normal cells.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhanhong Liu, Pengbo Hou, Jiankai Fang, Jingyu Zhu, Juanmin Zha, Rui Liu, Yayun Ding, Muqiu Zuo, Peishan Li, Lijuan Cao, Chao Feng, Gerry Melino, Changshun Shao, Yufang Shi
Summary: Chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer can be induced by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) through reducing the intratumoral accumulation of doxorubicin. This resistance is mediated by hyaluronan (HA), a major extracellular matrix (ECM) product of MSCs, which can bind with doxorubicin and inhibit its entry into breast cancer cells. High levels of HA in the serum are positively associated with chemoresistance in breast cancer patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hana Jin, Hye Jung Kim
Summary: This study isolated cancer stem cells (CSCs) from radiotherapy-resistant triple negative breast cancer cells, finding that they increased tumor invasiveness and suppressed NK cell cytotoxicity by regulating NK cell activation ligands.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Xiaowen Qi, Zhixing Wan, Baohong Jiang, Yuhan Ouyang, Wenjie Feng, Hongbo Zhu, Yeru Tan, Rongfang He, Liming Xie, Yuehua Li
Summary: This article presents the characteristics of breast cancer and the importance of ferroptosis in tumor treatment, emphasizing the hope of reversing tumor resistance and improving treatment outcomes through inducing ferroptosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sara El-Sahli, Khang Hua, Andrew Sulaiman, Jason Chambers, Li Li, Eliya Farah, Sarah McGarry, Dan Liu, Peiyong Zheng, Seung-Hwan Lee, Jiefeng Cui, Marc Ekker, Marceline Cote, Tommy Alain, Xuguang Li, Vanessa M. D'Costa, Lisheng Wang, Suresh Gadde
Summary: This study developed a new therapy using a combination of verteporfin and CA4 in polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles, which effectively inhibited TNBC cell viability and migration, and decreased paclitaxel-induced and/or CA4-induced CSC enrichment. The approach not only targeted bulk cancer cells, CSCs, and angiogenesis, but also showed potential in clinically relevant patient-derived xenograft models.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Henry M. Kuerer, Benjamin D. Smith, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Wei T. Yang, Vicente Valero, Yu Shen, Heather Lin, Anthony Lucci, Judy C. Boughey, Richard L. White, Emilia J. Diego, Gaiane M. Rauch
Summary: This study aims to evaluate whether radiotherapy alone can replace breast surgery in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer or HER2-positive breast cancer patients who have achieved pathological complete response through image-guided vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
Review
Oncology
Plabon Kumar Das, Ayesha Siddika, Khan Mohammad Rashel, Abdul Auwal, Kazi Soha, Md. Arifur Rahman, Suja Pillai, Farhadul Islam
Summary: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis, therapy resistance, and prognosis of TNBC.
Article
Cell Biology
Marie Winter, Samuel Meignan, Pamela Volkel, Pierre-Olivier Angrand, Valerie Chopin, Nadege Bidan, Robert-Alain Toillon, Eric Adriaenssens, Chann Lagadec, Xuefen Le Bourhis
Summary: The study reveals that TNBC cells become more invasive after chemotherapy, with vimentin potentially playing a role in enhancing tumor aggressiveness.
Review
Oncology
Nusrat Jan, Shazia Sofi, Hina Qayoom, Burhan Ul Haq, Aisha Shabir, Manzoor Ahmad Mir
Summary: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small sub-population of cells within a breast tumor that have self-renewal and differentiation abilities, and are responsible for tumor formation, initiation, and recurrence. BCSCs contribute to chemoresistance in breast cancer, and targeting them with novel therapeutic strategies, such as retinoids like Adapalene, shows promise for combating this disease.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qinghui Zheng, Mengdi Zhang, Fangfang Zhou, Long Zhang, Xuli Meng
Summary: Drug resistance in breast cancer is a major challenge, with breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) being responsible for it. Eliminating BCSCs can reverse drug resistance and improve treatment efficacy. Understanding the proliferation and resistance mechanisms of BCSCs is crucial in breast cancer therapy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Hye-Young Min, Ho Jin Lee, Young-Ah Suh, Honglan Pei, Hyukjin Kwon, Hyun-Ji Jang, Hye Jeong Yun, Hyeong-Gon Moon, Ho-Young Lee
Summary: This study highlights the pivotal role of EGFR signaling-mediated G6PD expression in paclitaxel resistance and suggests that targeting EGFR could be a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome paclitaxel resistance in TNBC and NSCLC cells overexpressing G6PD.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nicole Mavingire, Petreena Campbell, Jonathan Wooten, Joyce Aja, Melissa B. Davis, Andrea Loaiza-Perez, Eileen Brantley
Summary: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a role in promoting endocrine therapy resistance through signaling cascades such as Notch, HIF, and integrin/Akt. Understanding these mechanisms can potentially lead to targeted therapy strategies to counteract endocrine resistance in HR positive breast cancer patients. Additionally, exploring the link between BCSC-regulatory gene levels and reduced survival in African American women with basal-like breast cancer may provide insights for improving clinical outcomes in this population.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Julia Escudero-Feliu, Maria Garcia-Costela, Sara Moreno-SanJuan, Jose D. Puentes-Pardo, Sandra Rios Arrabal, Paula Gonzalez-Novoa, Maria Isabel Nunez, Angel Carazo, Jose C. Jimenez-Lopez, Josefa Leon
Summary: Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and the second most common type of cancer worldwide. Despite advances in therapies, a significant number of patients develop metastasis, leading to treatment failure. In this study, Narrow Leafed Lupin beta-conglutins proteins were evaluated for their potential as a natural cytotoxic agent against breast cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clelia Nistico, Francesca Pagliari, Emanuela Chiarella, Joana Fernandes Guerreiro, Maria Grazia Marafioti, Ilenia Aversa, Geraldine Genard, Rachel Hanley, Daniel Garcia-Calderon, Heather Mandy Bond, Maria Mesuraca, Luca Tirinato, Maria Francesca Spadea, Joao Carlos Seco
Summary: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and radiotherapy is commonly used to reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery. Research suggests that pre-treatment with the selective DGAT2 inhibitor PF-06424439, combined with X-ray exposure, can enhance the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells and potentially improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena Incerti Parenti, Matilde Tschon, Maria Sartori, Andrea Visani, Elena Aroni, Milena Fini, Giulio Alessandri-Bonetti
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2020)
Article
Orthopedics
Francesca Veronesi, Matteo Berni, Gregorio Marchiori, Giorgio Cassiolas, Aurelio Muttini, Barbara Barboni, Lucia Martini, Milena Fini, Nicola Francesco Lopomo, Maurilio Marcacci, Elizaveta Kon
Summary: This study aimed to treat early osteoarthritis in sheep using three different cell therapies and evaluate their effectiveness through mechanical testing, gross evaluation, and biochemical analysis. The results showed improvements in cartilage surface pathology and reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid for all treatments.
INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matilde Tschon, Silvia Brogini, Annapaola Parrilli, Serena Bertoldi, Antonietta Silini, Ornella Parolini, Silvia Fare, Lucia Martini, Francesca Veronesi, Milena Fini, Gianluca Giavaresi
Summary: Chondral and osteochondral lesions are challenging problems in orthopedics, causing disability and impacting healthcare systems. This in vivo study developed a tissue engineering approach using a hybrid scaffold made of porous polyurethane foam coated with calcium phosphates. The scaffold allowed tissue growth and penetration, showing promising results for bone regeneration.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francesca Veronesi, Paola Torricelli, Lucia Martini, Matilde Tschon, Gianluca Giavaresi, Davide Bellini, Veronica Casagranda, Fabio Alemani, Milena Fini
Summary: This study confirmed that COLL I improves osseointegration and bone growth of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated through EBM. An alternative ex vivo model involving culturing rabbit cortical bone segments with Ti-6Al-4V alloy cylinders was used to evaluate osseointegration, comparing Ti-POR and Ti-POR-COLL at different time points for bone-to-implant contact and new bone formation.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Giuseppe Filardo, Matilde Tschon, Francesco Perdisa, Silvia Brogini, Carola Cavallo, Giovanna Desando, Gianluca Giavaresi, Brunella Grigolo, Lucia Martini, Nicolo Nicoli Aldini, Alice Roffi, Milena Fini, Elizaveta Kon
Summary: The study compared three procedures for treating osteoarthritis using adipose-derived cells. Mechanical micro-fragmentation (MF) showed the most promising results in protecting the articular surface from OA processes.
KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Francesca Salamanna, Veronica Borsari, Stefania Pagani, Giovanni Barbanti Brodano, Alessandro Gasbarrini, Milena Fini
Summary: A novel and advanced model of breast cancer bone metastasis was developed using fresh tissue from patients, maintaining tissue viability and molecular markers long-term. This model has the potential to be used as an alternative for cancer research and drug testing, predicting patient-specific responses.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Silvia Brogini, Maria Sartori, Gianluca Giavaresi, Patrizio Cremascoli, Fabio Alemani, Davide Bellini, Lucia Martini, Melania Maglio, Stefania Pagani, Milena Fini
Summary: The study investigated the osseointegration process of Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr-Mo implants with different coatings implanted into rabbit lateral femoral condyles. The results showed good biocompatibility of the additive manufacturing materials, with hydroxyapatite coating promoting bone-to-implant contact while collagen did not significantly improve osseointegration.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Daniele Bellavia, Eufrosina Dimarco, Viviana Costa, Valeria Carina, Angela De Luca, Lavinia Raimondi, Milena Fini, Carla Gentile, Fabio Caradonna, Gianluca Giavaresi
Summary: This article provides comprehensive information on flavonoids with potential anti-resorptive and pro-osteogenic effects, highlighting their molecular mechanisms, often epigenetic, and emphasizing their potential pharmacological use in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Martina Cirillo, Giulia Martelli, Elisa Boanini, Katia Rubini, Mara Di Filippo, Paola Torricelli, Stefania Pagani, Milena Fini, Adriana Bigi, Daria Giacomini
Summary: Functionalization of Strontium substituted hydroxyapatite (SrHA) with ?-lactam integrin agonists has been shown to enhance cell adhesion, signaling, and counteract abnormal bone resorption, making it a promising material for addressing muscolo-skeletal disorders. Studies have demonstrated that the ?-lactams loaded on SrHA can modulate cell behavior and contribute to enhanced differentiation towards osteoblastic lineage, as well as inhibit osteoclast viability and differentiation.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Nicolini, Paola Ferrari, Angelo Carpi
Summary: This review summarizes the ongoing immunotherapies in breast cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies against HER-2 family receptors, and a novel strategy combining prolonged adjuvant immunotherapy with hormone therapy or alternated with chemotherapy. The evaluation of tumor immunogenicity and the current model of adjuvant chemotherapy are questioned based on scientific literature and findings.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Andrea Nicolini
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
G. Desando, I Bartolotti, L. Cattini, M. Tschon, L. Martini, M. Fini, A. Schiavinato, C. Soranzo, B. Grigolo
Summary: This study compared mechanical and enzymatic generation of adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for osteoarthritis treatment, showing that mechanical fragmentation of adipose tissue preserved cell functions similar to enzymatic methods. Both types of SVF displayed high release of growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, indicating their potential for osteoarthritis treatment.
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2021)