Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorenz Isert, Aditi Mehta, Gabriele Loiudice, Altea Oliva, Andreas Roidl, Olivia M. Merkel
Summary: During the progression from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive breast cancer (IBC), cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to acquire invasive features. In this study, the interplay between the tumor microenvironment and EMT phenotype was investigated in vitro. The combination of collagen with the growth factor TGF-beta 1 induced prominent phenotypic changes, independent of collagen type and cell line. The results highlight the potential of the EMT-phenotyping model to predict the efficacy of EMT-targeting drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Misung Park, Dohee Kim, Sunghyub Ko, Ayoung Kim, Kyumin Mo, Hyunho Yoon
Summary: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and metastasis is the leading cause of high mortality. Currently, breast cancer is often discovered or diagnosed after metastasis has occurred, resulting in poor prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms and nature of breast cancer metastasis can facilitate the development of targeted therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Feng Bai, Li-Han Zhang, Xiong Liu, Chuying Wang, Chenglong Zheng, Jianping Sun, Min Li, Wei-Guo Zhu, Xin-Hai Pei
Summary: The study reveals a positive correlation between BRCA1 and GATA3 expression in human breast cancers. Depletion of BRCA1 stimulates methylation of GATA3 promoter, repressing GATA3 transcription. Additionally, GATA3 deficiency induces poorly-differentiated mammary tumors with activated EMT and increased metastatic potential.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eunji Kang, Sangwoo Kim, Sook Young Jeon, Ji Gwang Jung, Hong-Kyu Kim, Han-Byoel Lee, Wonshik Han
Summary: CLK4 plays a crucial role in invasion and proliferation of MES-TNBC, especially in the processes induced by TGF-beta. This study characterizes CLK4 as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zhaoping Qiu, Bo Dong, Weijie Guo, Rychahou Piotr, Greg Longmore, Xiuwei Yang, Zhiyong Yu, Jiong Deng, B. Mark Evers, Yadi Wu
Summary: The study demonstrates that STK39 is a key mediator of SNAI1 stability and is closely associated with the cellular process of breast cancer metastasis. Inhibition of STK39 reduces SNAI1 stability and affects tumor cell migration and metastasis.
Article
Pathology
Rui Zhang, Ziqi Meng, Xuwei Wu, Meihua Zhang, Songnan Zhang, Tiefeng Jin
Summary: The research demonstrated that Mortalin promotes proliferation, metastasis, and malignant progression of breast cancer, potentially through the Wnt/beta-Catenin signaling pathway. This suggests that Mortalin could serve as a biomarker and prognostic factor in breast cancer.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Lihui Si, Zecheng Yang, Lu Ding, Duoduo Zhang
Summary: Autophagy and EMT are two critical biological processes during cancer development. The crosstalk between autophagy and EMT is complex and plays a crucial role in cancer. Recent research has shown that lncRNAs and miRNAs are involved in the regulation of autophagy, EMT, and their interactions. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs and miRNAs in cancer is important for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ziyu Liu, Leilei Huang, Liwei Sun, Hui Nie, Yuqi Liang, Jinwen Huang, Fanhong Wu, Xin Hu
Summary: Ecust004, derived from the structure-activity relationship studies of Erianin and CA4, shows superior anti-tumor effects by inhibiting proliferation, invasion, and migration of breast cancer cells, and increasing the expression of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Abdel-Rahman N. Zekri, Abeer Bahnassy, Magda Mourad, Ibrahim Malash, Ola Ahmed, Mona S. Abdellateif
Summary: This study characterized breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) through genetic profiling, revealing specific molecular profiles that differ according to their phenotypes. These profiles could potentially impact patients' prognosis and outcome.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji-Yun Yoon, Seung-Un Seo, Seon-Min Woo, Taeg-Kyu Kwon
Summary: Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification that leads to protein degradation. Deubiquitinases, like USP41, remove ubiquitin chains and stabilize substrates. USP41 was found to be overexpressed in breast cancer cells and its knockdown inhibited cell migration and growth. It was also observed that USP41 interacts with and inhibits ubiquitination of Snail, leading to its stabilization and increased migration of breast cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ritu Arora, Jin-Hwan Kim, Ayechew A. Getu, Anusha Angajala, Yih-Lin Chen, Bin Wang, Andrea G. Kahn, Hong Chen, Latif Reshi, Jianrong Lu, Wenling Zhang, Ming Zhou, Ming Tan
Summary: The highly expressed MST4 gene in breast cancer promotes cell growth, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is associated with cancer stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lazaro Garcia-Morales, Monica G. Mendoza-Rodriguez, Jose Tapia Ramirez, Isaura Meza
Summary: Inflammation plays a critical role in cancer development, and the transition of breast cancer cells from a non-invasive to a malignant phenotype can be reversed by CBD treatment. In a mouse model, subcutaneous inoculation of malignant cells induced tumor formation, which was significantly reduced by CBD administration both therapeutically and prophylactically. CBD-treated cells showed decreased expression of malignancy markers and demonstrated traits associated with apoptosis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Chunlei Guo, Shuang Li, Ang Liang, Mengchao Cui, Yunwei Lou, Hui Wang
Summary: PPA1 is highly expressed in breast cancer and correlated with poor survival in patients. Silencing PPA1 can inhibit breast cancer proliferation and metastasis. PPA1 serves as an activator of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3 beta/Slug-mediated breast cancer progression and is a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting tumor progression.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Qun Liu, Yu Cao, Xiaolin Wei, Huiting Dong, Mengyao Cui, Shu Guan, Bo Liu, Xu Wang, Peng Xing
Summary: Radioresistance limits the effectiveness of radiotherapy in breast cancer, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most lethal subtype of breast cancer. This study identified FOXQ1 and its interaction with RAPH1-i3 as key factors promoting breast cancer progression and radioresistance. These findings offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancer, including TNBC.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mohsin Ahmad Ghauri, Qi Su, Asmat Ullah, Jingjing Wang, Ammar Sarwar, Qing Wu, Dongdong Zhang, Yanmin Zhang
Summary: SAN has been found to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and colonization characteristics in breast cancer, as well as showing significant inhibitory effects on EMT regulating protein expression. In animal model, SAN exhibits prominent anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noura N. Alraouji, Falah H. Al-Mohanna, Hazem Ghebeh, Maria Arafah, Rafa Almeer, Taher Al-Tweigeri, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Manar M. AlAhmari, Huda H. Al-Khalaf, Falah H. Al-Mohanna, Hazem Ghebeh, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noura N. Alraouji, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells secrete high levels of IL-6 and IL-8, promoting angiogenesis, while the humanized anti-IL-6 receptor tocilizumab inhibits both cytokines effectively, potentially providing therapeutic value for TNBC patients through targeting angiogenesis.
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bothaina Al-Harbi, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: The study demonstrates that JSI-124 effectively inhibits the growth and migration of breast cancer cells and their associated fibroblasts by targeting STAT3 activity, suggesting its potential therapeutic value in breast cancer treatment.
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Layla A. Al-Kharashi, Tala Bakheet, Wejdan A. AlHarbi, Nisreen Al-Moghrabi, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: Research has shown that eugenol and decitabine can inhibit the invasive/migratory and proliferative potential of breast CAF cells, as well as their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects, by regulating the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3A genes. In addition, eugenol also modulates the methylation pattern in active CAF cells by methylating several oncogenes and demethylating important tumor suppressor genes, affecting their mRNA expression levels.
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Noura N. Alraouji, Siti-Fauziah Hendrayani, Hazem Ghebeh, Falah H. Al-Mohanna, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: Normal breast fibroblasts can suppress breast carcinogenesis through secretion of osteoprotegerin (OPG), inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) by inhibiting beta-catenin pathway. OPG shows great potential as a preventive and therapeutic molecule for breast carcinomas.
Article
Oncology
Naif Al-Jomah, Falah H. Al-Mohanna, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: The IL-6 receptor inhibitor tocilizumab has been shown to suppress the expression of various CAF biomarkers and inhibit their promotion of migration, invasion, and proliferation of breast cancer cells. Additionally, tocilizumab can also suppress the pro-angiogenic effects of CAF cells by inhibiting the expression of VEGF-A and HIF-1 alpha. These findings suggest that targeting the IL-6/STAT3/AUF1 pathway with tocilizumab may provide a promising strategy for developing more efficient breast cancer treatments.
Article
Oncology
Layla A. Al-Kharashi, Asma Tulbah, Maria Arafah, Abdelmonneim M. Eldali, Taher Al-Tweigeri, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a significant role in promoting angiogenesis and resistance to therapy. The DNMT1 protein controls the pro-angiogenic potential of CAFs by regulating the expression/secretion of VEGF-A, IL-8, and their upstream effectors. High expression of DNMT1 in tumor cells and adjacent stromal fibroblasts is associated with poor survival in locally advanced breast cancer patients.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Syed S. Islam, Khawlah Qassem, Shafiqul Islam, Rashed R. Parag, Mohammed Z. Rahman, Walid A. Farhat, Herman Yeger, Abdelilah Aboussekhra, Bedri Karakas, Abu Shadat M. Noman
Summary: The study found that Keap1 mutations lead to activation of Nrf2, promoting cancer cell growth and resistance to oxidative stress, while also affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy. Limiting Nrf2 activity can increase sensitivity to chemotherapy and suppress cancer stem cell self-renewal.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Huda K. Al-Nasrallah, Mysoon M. Al-Ansari, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: OPG is upregulated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) compared to normal tumor fibroblasts, with breast cancer cells able to upregulate OPG in stromal fibroblasts (BSFs) through an IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Higher levels of OPG enhance BSFs' ability to promote the growth of humanized orthotopic tumors in mice, while specific knock-down of OPG suppresses active CAFs and their pro-carcinogenic effects. Exposing CAF cells to pure recombinant OPG (rOPG) protein produces similar effects, suggesting the potential use of rOPG or inhibitors of endogenous OPG as precision cancer therapeutics targeting CAFs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maha H. Daghestani, Huda A. Alqahtani, AlBandary AlBakheet, Mashael Al Deery, Khalid A. Awartani, Mazin H. Daghestani, Namik Kaya, Arjumand Warsy, Serdar Coskun, Dilek Colak
Summary: This study conducted transcriptome analysis of PCOS patients with and without a history of OHSS, identifying significantly dysregulated genes and alterations in important signaling pathways related to OHSS.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nuha Suliman Alduraihem, Ramesa Shafi Bhat, Sabah Ahmed Al-Zahrani, Doaa M. M. Elnagar, Hussah M. M. Alobaid, Maha H. H. Daghestani
Summary: This study demonstrated the antimicrobial and anticancer properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Acacia nilotica pods. The AgNPs showed promising antibacterial activity against multiple strains and cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells. The treatment with A. nilotica extract and A. nilotica-AgNPs also altered the expression levels of eight genes in cancer cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mai Al-Mohanna, Noura N. Alraouji, Samiah A. Alhabardi, Falah Al-Mohanna, Basem Al-Otaibi, Ibrahim Al-Jammaz, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a piperidone analogue of curcumin (PAC) for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). PAC induced apoptosis in ATC cells through the mitochondrial pathway. It also inhibited the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and suppressed the AKT/mTOR pathway in ATC cells. In addition, PAC showed promising anti-tumor effects in vivo. Overall, PAC could be a potential therapeutic agent for ATC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maha Daghestani, Nashwa Othman, Mohammed A. Omair, Fahidah Alenzi, Maha A. Omair, Eman Alqurtas, Shireen Amin, Arjumand Warsy
Summary: This study conducted an investigation on the Saudi population and found that 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with 4 of them having a protective effect. Two SNPs showed significantly higher heterozygote frequencies in the control group compared to the patients. This indicates considerable heterogeneity in the genetics of RA in different populations.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Taher Al-Tweigeri, Noura N. AlRaouji, Asma Tulbah, Maria Arafah, Mouad Aboussekhra, Falah Al-Mohanna, Ahmed Mostafa Gad, Abdelmonneim M. Eldali, Tusneem A. Elhassan, Abdelilah Aboussekhra
Summary: The overexpression of AU-rich RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) in cancer cells and their stromal fibroblasts is associated with higher tumor grade and poor patient survival, especially in triple negative breast cancer patients. The downregulation of AUF1 after neoadjuvant therapy improves both disease-free survival and overall survival. Furthermore, AUF1 in breast fibroblasts enhances the chemoresistance of breast cancer cells and tumor growth.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)