Review
Cell Biology
Guoqiang Sun, Dawei Rong, Zhouxiao Li, Guangshun Sun, Fan Wu, Xiao Li, Hongyong Cao, Ye Cheng, Weiwei Tang, Yangbai Sun
Summary: Research on molecular targeted therapy of tumors is thriving, with novel targeted therapy drugs constantly emerging. Small molecule targeted compounds can be administered orally, do not elicit immune response, and are cost-effective, making them a hot topic in tumor treatment research.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesc Ventura, Eleanor Williams, Makoto Ikeya, Alex N. Bullock, Peter ten Dijke, Marie-Jose Goumans, Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
Summary: Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare congenital disease caused by heterozygous gene point mutations in the ACVR1 gene, leading to ectopic bone formation. Although there is no approved cure for FOP yet, multiple clinical trials are underway to find safe and effective treatments for this condition.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Liu Yang, Xueping Hu, Xin Chai, Qing Ye, Jinping Pang, Dan Li, Tingjun Hou
Summary: Recently, significant progress has been made in the field of anti-TB drug discovery, with new targets and bioactive compounds showing promise as potential treatments for tuberculosis.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pawan Kumar, Deepak Sheokand, Annu Grewal, Vandana Saini, Ajit Kumar
Summary: This study used a drug repositioning strategy to identify potential anti-epileptic drugs by evaluating the clinical side effect similarities of drugs in a database. Paroxetine showed better binding affinities to target receptors and has potential as a candidate for epilepsy treatment.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christine Roubert, Evelyne Fontaine, Anna M. Upton
Summary: Despite efforts in TB drug discovery, few drugs have shown clear utility against drug resistant TB. Recent developments have allowed for re-evaluation of previously discovered compounds and targets, leading to new possibilities for treatment. These efforts are complemented by research on new chemical matter and targets, enhancing the chances of discovering effective regimens against drug-resistant TB.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Qing Ye, Rebecca A. Raese, Dajie Luo, Juan Feng, Wenjun Xin, Chunlin Dong, Yong Qian, Nancy Lan Guo
Summary: Breast cancer treatment can be improved through the identification of biomarkers for early detection and personalized therapy. A study identified 86 microRNAs that can distinguish breast cancer tumors from normal breast tissues with 90.4% accuracy. It also discovered potential tumor suppressors and oncomiRs, as well as new drug options for treating breast cancer. This study demonstrates the potential of an artificial intelligence pipeline in discovering biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and repositioning drugs for various types of cancer.
Article
Cell Biology
Angela Rizzo, Carmen Maresca, Carmen D'Angelo, Manuela Porru, Serena Di Vito, Erica Salvati, Andrea Sacconi, Francesco Berardinelli, Antonella Sgura, Sergey Kuznetsov, Swapnil Potdar, Antti Hassinen, Antonella Stoppacciaro, Pasquale Zizza, Annamaria Biroccio
Summary: Drug repositioning strategy is an effective tool for accelerating drug development by discovering new applications for existing compounds. This study identified FK866 as a molecule that can induce telomere damage and tumor cell death, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Li, Wenkai Jiang, Shi Dong, Wancheng Li, Weixiong Zhu, Wence Zhou
Summary: This review discusses the relationship between STAT3 and pancreatic cancer, as well as the latest research on the use of STAT3 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer, aiming to provide insights and ideas for a new generation of chemotherapeutic modalities for pancreatic cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominika Radomska, Robert Czarnomysy, Dominik Radomski, Krzysztof Bielawski
Summary: This review discusses the research on the anticancer activity of selenium compounds, including the different classes of selenium compounds and their mechanisms of action, which are important for developing more effective cancer treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Grazia Cerrito, Emanuela Grassilli
Summary: The development of high-throughput approaches has enabled the identification of novel actionable targets for colorectal cancer treatment and the development of specific inhibitors, leading to treatment innovations such as re-sensitizing drug-resistant tumors in combination with chemotherapy and inducing synthetic lethality in tumors with specific oncogenic mutations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abhinav Kanwal, Navjot Kanwar, Sanjay Bharati, Prateek Srivastava, Shailendra P. Singh, Salomon Amar
Summary: There are significant shortcomings in the drugs currently available for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the global diabetic crisis remains severe. The development of new drugs is still faced with various challenges, including issues with drug purity and toxicity, as well as the discovery of new targets. The recent discovery of a carcinogenic contaminant in a commonly used first-line drug highlights the difficulty of drug development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noa Sabag, Alexander Yakobson, Meir Retchkiman, Eldad Silberstein
Summary: This review provides a brief overview of malignant melanoma and its treatment, focusing on surgery in early stages and the paradigm shift to immunotherapy and targeted therapies in advanced stages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hai Fang, Lulu Jiang
Summary: This study identified inflammatory gene networks related to nephrolithiasis and potential therapeutic targets for intervention. By utilizing cross-disease comparisons and druggable pocket predictions, specific inflammatory targets for nephrolithiasis were identified, offering insights into advancing immunotherapeutic strategies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Muhammad Yasir, Jinyoung Park, Eun-Taek Han, Won Sun Park, Jin-Hee Han, Yong-Soo Kwon, Hee-Jae Lee, Wanjoo Chun
Summary: Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being used in drug development to identify potential therapeutic uses for existing drugs. This study used a trained machine learning model to screen a large chemical library and identify new JAK2 inhibitors. The model was able to predict the IC50 values of the compounds in the library, and some compounds with high IC50 values were found to possess JAK inhibition activity. Molecular docking and simulation confirmed the predicted results, and experimental validation also supported the findings. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of machine learning in improving drug development processes.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu Lu, Jiale Qin, Jiandong Chen, Na Yu, Satoru Miyano, Zhenzhong Deng, Chen Li
Summary: This article reviews the progress of drug repositioning and combination efforts for better treatment of COVID-19. The study found that graph theory and neural network were the most commonly used strategies with high potential for drug repositioning.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Federica Barbieri, Alessia Graziana Bosio, Alessandra Pattarozzi, Michele Tonelli, Adriana Bajetto, Ivan Verduci, Francesca Cianci, Gaetano Cannavale, Luca M. G. Palloni, Valeria Francesconi, Stefano Thellung, Pietro Fiaschi, Samanta Mazzetti, Silvia Schenone, Beatrice Balboni, Stefania Girotto, Paolo Malatesta, Antonio Daga, Gianluigi Zona, Michele Mazzanti, Tullio Florio
Summary: Two novel CLIC1 blockers, Q48 and Q54, were identified as more potent antiproliferative agents for GSCs than metformin in vitro. Q48 and Q54 also showed inhibitory effects on GSC self-renewal, migration and invasion, with low systemic toxicity in vivo. These findings suggest that Q48 and Q54 may be potential CLIC1 blockers for the treatment of CLIC1-expressing glioblastomas.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sergio Di Molfetta, Tiziana Feola, Giuseppe Fanciulli, Tullio Florio, Annamaria Colao, Antongiulio Faggiano
Summary: Lung carcinoids are rare neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung, and there is currently no global consensus on their systemic treatment. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have gained attention in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms, and preliminary evidence shows the potential efficacy of combined nivolumab plus ipilimumab and durvalumab plus tremelimumab regimens in advanced and/or metastatic lung carcinoids.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giulio Capponi, Martina Zambito, Igor Neri, Francesco Cottone, Maurizio Mattarelli, Massimo Vassalli, Silvia Caponi, Tullio Florio
Summary: Mechanotransduction is the ability of cells to sense mechanical stimuli and convert them into biochemical signals. Mechanosensitive ion channels, especially Piezo family channels, play a crucial role in this process. This study proposes an open-hardware approach to measure the mechanosensitivity of single cells and validates the device using a neural mice cell line. The device is versatile and can be integrated with different read-out technologies.
Review
Cell Biology
Giorgia Ailuno, Alice Balboni, Gabriele Caviglioli, Francesco Lai, Federica Barbieri, Irene Dellacasagrande, Tullio Florio, Sara Baldassari
Summary: Boron neutron capture therapy is a promising low-invasive cancer therapy, but its success is hindered by the lack of appropriate drug delivery systems. Nanoparticle systems are being explored to selectively deliver boron atoms to cancer cells and avoid damage to healthy tissues.
Article
Hematology
Elisa Donato, Nadia Correia, Carolin Andresen, Darja Karpova, Roberto Wuerth, Corinna Klein, Markus Sohn, Adriana Przybylla, Petra Zeisberger, Kathrin Rothfelder, Helmut Salih, Halvard Bonig, Sebastian Stasik, Christoph Roellig, Anna Dolnik, Lars Bullinger, Frank Buchholz, Christian Thiede, Daniel Huebschmann, Andreas Trumpp
Summary: This study proposes a novel flow cytometry sorting strategy for CD34 neg AML subtypes, enriching for leukemic stem cells (LSCs) independently of CD34 status by positive selection for GPR56 and negative selection for NKG2D ligands. The functional reconstitution capacity and transcriptomes of CD34- and CD34+ LSCs are shown to be similar, supporting the concept of phenotypic plasticity. Patients with AML who still retain functional hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at the time of diagnosis have longer relapse-free and overall survival.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Federica Viti, Francesca Micaela Pramotton, Michela Martufi, Raffaella Magrassi, Nicoletta Pedemonte, Mario Nizzari, Francesca Cella Zanacchi, Benedetta De Michele, Manuela Alampi, Martina Zambito, Giuseppe Santamaria, Adriana Bajetto, Sabah Sardar, Valeria Tomati, Paolo Gandullia, Costanza Giampietro, Tullio Florio, Francesco Beltrame, Massimo Vassalli, Isabella Ceccherini
Summary: This study analyzed the morpho-mechanical phenotype of human dermal fibroblasts from patients with VSCM and found that they retained a clear signature of the disease compared to different control groups. The measurement of cellular traction forces was identified as a potential non-specific biomarker of the disease. The authors propose the development of a simple assay based on traction forces to support clinical decision-making or preclinical research.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Federica Barbieri, Adriana Bajetto, Irene Dellacasagrande, Agnese Solari, Roberto Wuerth, Virginia Fernandez, Silvia Rancati, Davide Ceresa, Irene Appolloni, Giuseppa De Luca, Mariella Dono, Paolo Nozza, Piero Schiapparelli, Monica Gambaro, Pietro Fiaschi, Gabriele Gaggero, Nicolo Costanzo, Stefano Thellung, Paolo Malatesta, Aldo Pagano, Gianluigi Zona, Davide De Pietri Tonelli, Tullio Florio
Summary: This study isolated meningioma stem cells from human samples and identified the role of the CXCR4/CXCR7 chemokine axis in stem cell-related functions. The findings suggest that CXCR4/CXCR7 antagonists may be a useful approach for high-risk meningiomas.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martina Zambito, Federica Viti, Alessia G. Bosio, Isabella Ceccherini, Tullio Florio, Massimo Vassalli
Summary: The evaluation of cell elasticity is important due to its impact on physiological and pathological processes. However, single-cell mechanical measurements often vary due to instrumental errors and the nature of the sample. In this study, the authors used a nanoindenter to characterize the experimental procedure and found that technical replicates had minimal influence, but biological conditions significantly affected the results. Experiments should be designed carefully to minimize inhomogeneous scenarios and avoid divergences in measured phenotype.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Giuseppe Fanciulli, Roberta Modica, Anna La Salvia, Erika Maria Grossrubatscher, Tullio Florio, Francesco Ferrau, Alessandro Veresani, Flaminia Russo, Annamaria Colao, Antongiulio Faggiano
Summary: This study aims to summarize the role of proteasome inhibitors (PrIn) in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) based on in vitro and in vivo data. The results revealed a discrepancy between preclinical studies and clinical trials, suggesting the need for more accurate clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of PrIn in MTC treatment.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosa Maria Vitale, Fabio Arturo Iannotti, Tullio Florio
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuela Stella, Giammarco Baiardi, Stefano Pasquariello, Fabio Sacco, Irene Dellacasagrande, Alessandro Corsaro, Francesca Mattioli, Federica Barbieri
Summary: Glioblastoma is a fast-growing cancer with genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and resistance to radio-chemo-therapy. Medical comorbidities associated with glioblastoma, especially neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and glioblastoma-related epilepsy, greatly affect patients' quality of life. Non-malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment play a key role in glioblastoma aggressive behavior, particularly through hyper-excitability of neurons mediated by glutamatergic and GABAergic imbalance. This review focuses on the neuron-to-glioma interface, discussing the mechanisms and management of glioblastoma-related epilepsy and the potential of antiepileptic drugs as antitumor treatment.
Article
Immunology
Adriana Bajetto, Alessandra Pattarozzi, Rodolfo Sirito, Federica Barbieri, Tullio Florio
Summary: Recent research has shown that metformin, a commonly used drug for type-2 diabetes, has beneficial effects on inflammation, aging, and cancer. In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of metformin on human umbilical cordmesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) and found that it can inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of UC-MSCs while enhancing their ability to differentiate into adipocytes. Metformin also reduces the inflammatory activity of UC-MSCs and suppresses the growth of T lymphocytes. These findings suggest that metformin may promote adipose tissue regeneration and have anti-inflammatory effects, which contribute to its positive effect on lipid metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giorgia Ailuno, Sara Baldassari, Alice Balboni, Giuliana Drava, Cristina Spalletti, Elena Tantillo, Michele Mazzanti, Federica Barbieri, Stefano Thellung, Tullio Florio, Gabriele Caviglioli
Summary: Metformin hydrochloride (MH) has shown potential clinical efficacy in glioblastoma (GBM), but there is a lack of data on MH levels in the brain. This research proposes a GC-MS method for quantifying MH in brain tissues, using optimized derivatization conditions and deuterated MH as the internal standard. The method has been validated on brain samples from mice, both healthy and xenografted with GBM cells, and can be applied in preclinical studies to understand MH's mechanism of action in brain tumors.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Ivan Verduci, Francesca Cianci, Riccardo Cazzoli, Gaetano Cannavale, Stefania Castiglione, Matteo Ranucci, Luca Palloni, Beatrice Balboni, Stefania Faletti, Stefania Girotto, Giuliana Pelicci, Saverio Minucci, Alessandro Fantin, Tullio Florio, Michele Mazzanti
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Francesca Cianci, Ivan Verduci, Valentina Carlini, Carlotta Tacconi, Matteo Ranucci, Alessandro Fantin, Tullio Florio, Michele Mazzanti
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karlie R. Sharma, Christine M. Colvis, Griffih P. Rodgers, Douglas M. Sheeley
Summary: There are many genes within the druggable genome that have not been studied, and the US National Institutes of Health's program provides resources to explore these genes, with the potential for rapid impact on human health.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2024)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammad Sameer Khan, B. H. Jaswanth Gowda, Waleed H. Almalki, Tanuja Singh, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Prashant Kesharwani
Summary: Mitochondria-specific functional liposomes hold great potential for cancer therapy. This review discusses the association between mitochondria and tumor formation, as well as the advantages of liposomes in delivering drugs to mitochondria.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2024)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Choong Yong Ung, Cristina Correia, Hu Li, Christopher M. Adams, Jennifer J. Westendorf, Shizhen Zhu
Summary: With increasing human life expectancy, the global medical burden of chronic diseases is growing. Chronic diseases often involve malfunctioning of multiple organs, and understanding the interorgan crosstalk is crucial to understanding the etiology of chronic diseases. Researchers have proposed the locked-state model (LoSM) and cutting-edge systems biology and artificial intelligence strategies to decipher chronic multiorgan locked states. The findings have important clinical implications for improving treatments for chronic diseases.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2024)