Review
Engineering, Chemical
Yohan Han, Timothy W. Jones, Saugata Dutta, Yin Zhu, Xiaoyun Wang, S. Priya Narayanan, Susan C. Fagan, Duo Zhang
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have great potential to serve as effective drug carriers, as they can deliver drugs efficiently and overcome some limitations of traditional drugs.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yang Li, Chunyu Huang, Youhua Xu
Summary: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has unique advantages but also faces challenges such as low water solubility of sonosensitizers and the influence of tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, a bionic nano-system (ECaC) was designed by coating mesoporous calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3 NPs) and sonosensitizer curcumin (Cur) into tumor-derived exosomes, aiming to enhance SDT. The biomimetic nano-system effectively targeted tumor cells and released the drug in response to the acidic microenvironment, resulting in significant anti-tumor effects without toxic side effects.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun-Yong Wu, Yong-Jiang Li, Xiong-Bin Hu, Si Huang, Shilin Luo, Tiantian Tang, Da-Xiong Xiang
Summary: The study compared Exos and BNVs for brain tumor drug delivery, finding that BNVs derived from brain-derived endothelial cells are a promising alternative with higher yield and similar drug-loading capacity to natural exosomes. Despite different mechanisms, BNV/DOX showed similar therapeutic effects to Exo/DOX in inhibiting the progression of glioblastoma, with minimal systemic toxicity. The findings suggest that autologous BNVs are an effective alternative to Exos for brain tumor nanomedicine.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiao Xu, Limei Xu, Caining Wen, Jiang Xia, Yuanmin Zhang, Yujie Liang
Summary: Exosomes, as a cell-free therapeutic approach, hold great promise. However, before clinical use, challenges in large-scale production, quality control, and heterogeneity need to be addressed. Biomimetic exosomes, called exosome-mimetics (EMs), have been created through various methods, such as extrusion, artificial synthesis, and liposome fusion, to overcome these limitations. EMs possess similar morphology and function to natural exosomes, but offer higher yields, faster large-scale production, and similar size. This article provides an overview of the chemical and biological properties of synthetic exosome systems, highlighting recent advances in production and applications, and discussing advantages, limitations, and potential clinical applications of EMs.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Matthew Kang, Colin Hisey, Bridget Tsai, Yohanes Nursalim, Cherie Blenkiron, Lawrence W. Chamley
Summary: Recently, researchers have focused on extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential carriers for drug delivery, including gene therapy. However, current techniques used for EV generation have limitations in large-scale production. This study proposes that placental EVs produced from explant cultures are an efficient and safe method for EV production, and suggests that these EVs can be loaded with large plasmids. The study experimentally confirms successful plasmid loading into placental EVs using different loading strategies and provides insights into the loading efficiency dependent on DNA dose and size.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang Liu, Long Xi, Yihan Liu, Judith Choi Wo Mak, Shirui Mao, Zhenping Wang, Ying Zheng
Summary: This study developed an inhalable biomimetic sequential drug-releasing nanoplatform for the combinatorial treatment of acute lung injury (ALI). The nanoplatform effectively inhibited the coordinated action of neutrophils and macrophages, modulated the hyper-inflammatory condition, and promoted lung tissue repair. The dual-stage drug release behavior facilitated down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and remodeling of lung immune homeostasis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dalila Iannotta, Amruta A., Andrew Lai, Soumyalekshmi Nair, Na'ama Koifman, Martha Lappas, Carlos Salomon, Joy Wolfram
Summary: This study introduces a novel method for purifying extracellular vesicles (EVs) by chemically-induced breakdown of lipoproteins. The use of a styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer allows for selective breakdown of lipoproteins and subsequent size-based separation of breakdown products from plasma EVs, resulting in improved EV purity and yield.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Ting Shen, Ru-Siou Hsu, Jen-Hung Fang, Pei-Fen Hu, Chi-Shiun Chiang, Shang-Hsiu Hu
Summary: A new study introduces RB@Exo, a nanoraspberry that targets metastases and induces T cell infiltration, showing potential therapeutic effects on metastatic tumors.
Review
Cell Biology
Yvonne Couch, Edit I. Buzas, Dolores Di Vizio, Yong Song Gho, Paul Harrison, Andrew F. Hill, Jan Lotvall, Graca Raposo, Philip D. Stahl, Clotilde Thery, Kenneth W. Witwer, David R. F. Carter
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small cargo-bearing vesicles released by cells into the extracellular space, serving as a complex cell-to-cell communication mechanism that transfers functional cargo and influences biological processes, with deregulation in disease. The field of EVs has grown exponentially over the past two decades with an organized community, but still faces key challenges.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jing Zhang, Haijing Song, Yanan Dong, Ganghui Li, Jun Li, Qizhe Cai, Shoujun Yuan, Yi Wang, Haifeng Song
Summary: This study explores surface engineering approaches to reduce non-specific adhesion and improve enrichment of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in target tissues. The engineered EVs system carrying a tumor-specific nanobody and interleukin-12 demonstrated therapeutic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hee Byung Koh, Hyo Jeong Kim, Shin-Wook Kang, Tae-Hyun Yoo
Summary: Exosome-based drug delivery is a promising field that could revolutionize therapeutic interventions. These small extracellular vesicles have unique properties and can transport bioactive molecules. Despite challenges such as limited isolation methods and low cargo loading efficiency, exosomes have the potential to improve personalized medicine and precision therapy.
Review
Cell Biology
Hang Song, Bin Liu, Bin Dong, Jing Xu, Hui Zhou, Sha Na, Yanyan Liu, Yunxia Pan, Fengyuan Chen, Lu Li, Jinghui Wang
Summary: This review provides an overview of the application of exosomes as natural product delivery carriers in cancer therapy, focusing on their composition, biogenesis, and functions in cancer. The advantages and applications of exosomes in drug delivery for cancer therapy, as well as the recent progress and challenges in using exosomes as carriers for natural products in cancer treatment, are discussed in this review.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Franz L. Ricklefs, Cecile L. Maire, Kathrin Wollmann, Lasse Duehrsen, Krystian D. Fita, Felix Sahm, Christel Herold-Mende, Andreas von Deimling, Katharina Kolbe, Mareike Holz, Leonie Bergmann, Marceline M. Fuh, Hartmut Schlueter, Malik Alawi, Rudolph Reimer, Peine Sven, Markus Glatzel, Manfred Westphal, Katrin Lamszus
Summary: Elevated levels of EVs in the plasma of meningioma patients could assist in tumor diagnosis and evaluation of treatment response. Analysis of EV-DNA methylation and proteomic profiling revealed genetic and epigenetic tumor alterations, facilitating molecular tumor classification.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaolin Jin, Haiyan Sun, Lina Yang
Summary: EVs play a dual role in sepsis and have potential for diagnosis and treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maedeh Masoumipour, Bahareh Abbaspanah, Seyed Hadi Mousavi
Summary: Extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication and tumor progression, while the total protein level of circulating exosomes can provide insights into disease status and treatment response.
CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yuma Wada, Zhongxu Zhu, Ajay Goel
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Milad Moloudizargari, Jamal Rahmani, Mohammad Hossein Asghari, Ajay Goel
Summary: High miR-31 expression is associated with poor overall survival and progression-free survival in colorectal cancer patients, with a significant predictive value for anti-EGFR response. High expressers are more likely to have a BRAF mutation, and the observed associations are significantly affected by therapeutic regimen and mutational status.
Article
Oncology
Yasuyuki Okada, Fuduan Peng, Jose Perea, Luis Corchete, Luis Bujanda, Wei Li, Ajay Goel
Summary: A novel methylation signature risk-scoring model was developed to reliably identify patients with synchronous colorectal cancer (SyCRC), which has the potential to improve the diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Keisuke Okuno, Shuichi Watanabe, Souvick Roy, Mitsuro Kanda, Masanori Tokunaga, Yasuhiro Kodera, Yusuke Kinugasa, Ajay Goel
Summary: We established a miRNA-based liquid biopsy signature that can reliably predict early recurrence in gastric cancer patients by analyzing miRNA expression profiling. Additionally, a model combining the miRNA signature, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and tumor size exhibited better predictive performance and was successfully validated in another independent cohort. Finally, we translated the miRNA signature into a liquid biopsy assay and demonstrated its independence as a predictor for early recurrence.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kota Nakamura, Ajay Goel
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Divya Sahu, Chen-Ching Lin, Ajay Goel
Summary: This study identified eRNA panels that can predict tumor recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer. These panels outperformed TNM staging in predicting recurrence and showed excellent accuracy. The findings of this study have the potential to improve risk stratification and guide precision oncology treatments for colorectal cancer patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keisuke Okuno, Caiming Xu, Silvia Pascual-Sabater, Masanori Tokunaga, Tetsuji Takayama, Haiyong Han, Cristina Fillat, Yusuke Kinugasa, Ajay Goel
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal cancer due to its resistance to chemotherapy, including Gemcitabine (Gem). This study aimed to investigate whether the natural botanical Andrographis (Andro) can reverse Gem resistance in PDAC cells. The findings suggest that Andro can enhance the anti-cancer potential of Gem by regulating the ERBB3 and calcium signaling pathways.
Article
Oncology
Keisuke Okuno, Muhammad Yogi Pratama, Jiang Li, Masanori Tokunaga, Xin Wang, Yusuke Kinugasa, Ajay Goel
Summary: This cell culture-based study demonstrated that Ginseng has the potential to fight against colorectal cancer by regulating cellular apoptosis and reversing the methylation status of silenced genes.
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Keisuke Okuno, Masanori Tokunaga, Daniel Von Hoff, Yusuke Kinugasa, Ajay Goel
Article
Oncology
Milad Moloudizargari, Shirin Hekmatirad, Sajjad Gharaghani, Ali Akbar Moghadamnia, Hossein Najafzadehvarzi, Mohammad Hossein Asghari
Summary: In this study, potential inhibitors of nSMase2 were identified through virtual screening and molecular docking. Aprepitant was found to effectively inhibit nSMase2 activity in HCT116 cells, with a concentration as low as 15 μM and without significant effects on cell viability.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Julyann Perez-Mayoral, Maria Gonzalez-Pons, Hilmaris Centeno-Girona, Ingrid M. Montes-Rodriguez, Marievelisse Soto-Salgado, Belisa Suarez, Natalia Rodriguez, Giancarlo Colon, Javier Sevilla, Daphne Jorge, Xavier Llor, Rosa M. Xicola, Doris H. Toro, Luis Tous-Lopez, Marla Torres-Torres, Jose S. Reyes, Nicolas Lopez-Acevedo, Ajay Goel, Segundo Rodriguez-Quilichini, Marcia Cruz-Correa
Summary: This study analyzed the molecular markers and clinicopathologic features of colorectal tumors from Puerto Rico to better understand the molecular pathways leading to colorectal cancer in this Hispanic subpopulation. The results showed distinct differences in the prevalence of molecular markers among tumors from Puerto Rico compared to other racial/ethnic groups, suggesting a unique molecular carcinogenic pathway among Hispanics.
Article
Cell Biology
Katsuki Miyazaki, Yuji Morine, Caiming Xu, Chiharu Nakasu, Yuma Wada, Hiroki Teraoku, Shinichiro Yamada, Yu Saito, Tetsuya Ikemoto, Mitsuo Shimada, Ajay Goel
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combination of Curcumin and Lenvatinib exhibits synergistic anti-tumor efficacy in Lenvatinib-resistant HCC cell lines. Curcumin reverses Lenvatinib resistance through inhibition of the EGFR pathway. These findings suggest that the combination therapy has potential clinical application for adjunctive treatment in HCC.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Katsuki Miyazaki, Caiming Xu, Mitsuo Shimada, Ajay Goel
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Limitations of current CRC chemotherapeutic drugs include toxicity, side effects, and high costs. In this study, a combination of curcumin and andrographis showed superior anti-tumor effects in CRC cells by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, colony formation, and inducing apoptosis. The combination treatment also activated the ferroptosis pathway and downregulated the expression of GPX-4 and FSP-1, leading to accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides in CRC cells.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick K. T. Shiu, Mirolyuba Ilieva, Anja Holm, Shizuka Uchida, Johanna K. DiStefano, Agnieszka Bronisz, Ling Yang, Yoh Asahi, Ajay Goel, Liuqing Yang, Ashok Nuthanakanti, Alexander Serganov, Suresh K. Alahari, Chunru Lin, Barbara Pardini, Alessio Naccarati, Jing Jin, Beshoy Armanios, Xiao-bo Zhong, Nikolaos Sideris, Salih Bayraktar, Leandro Castellano, Andre P. Gerber, He Lin, Simon J. Conn, Doha Magdy Mostafa Sleem, Lisa Timmons
Article
Oncology
Koldo Garcia-Etxebarria, Ane Etxart, Maialen Barrero, Beatriz Nafria, Nerea Miren Segues Merino, Irati Romero-Garmendia, Ajay Goel, Andre Franke, Mauro D'Amato, Luis Bujanda
Summary: This study found that some genetic polymorphisms (SNPs), when combined with clinical data, can be used as predictors for colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes. Additionally, new SNPs associated with CRC outcomes were detected and may serve as feasible markers.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paola Orlandi, Marta Banchi, Francesca Vaglini, Marco Carli, Stefano Aringhieri, Arianna Bandini, Carla Pardini, Cristina Viaggi, Michele Lai, Greta Ali, Alessandra Ottani, Eleonora Vandini, Patrizia Guidi, Margherita Bernardeschi, Veronica La Rocca, Giulio Francia, Gabriella Fontanini, Mauro Pistello, Giada Frenzilli, Daniela Giuliani, Marco Scarselli, Guido Bocci
Summary: This study investigates the role of MC4R in melanoma and the use of the selective antagonist ML in combination with vemurafenib. The results show that ML can inhibit melanoma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis through the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduction of BCL-XL expression. The combination of vemurafenib and ML exhibits a synergistic effect in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo without causing adverse effects.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Conor J. Bloxham, Katina D. Hulme, Fabrizio Fierro, Christian Fercher, Cassandra L. Pegg, Shannon L. O'Brien, Simon R. Foster, Kirsty R. Short, Sebastian G. B. Furness, Melissa E. Reichelt, Masha Y. Niv, Walter G. Thomas
Summary: Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are a type of G protein-coupled receptors that allow humans to detect aversive and toxic substances. This study characterized the functional properties of previously identified T2Rs in human cardiac tissues and their naturally occurring polymorphisms. The results showed differences in signaling among different T2R variants, and revealed a potential association between the T2R50 Tyr203 variant and cardiovascular disease.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lu Chen, Huanying Shi, Wenxin Zhang, Yongjun Zhu, Haifei Chen, Zimei Wu, Huijie Qi, Jiafeng Liu, Mingkang Zhong, Xiaojin Shi, Tianxiao Wang, Qunyi Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that Carfilzomib exhibits potent anti-tumor activity against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by triggering mitochondrial apoptosis and reprogramming cellular metabolism. It has been identified that activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) plays a crucial role as a cellular target in ESCC cells treated with Carfilzomib. Overexpression of ATF3 effectively counteracts the effects of Carfilzomib on ESCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, ATF3 mediates the anti-tumor activity of Carfilzomib, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for ESCC.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xing Zhang, Xiang Li, Ran Xia, Hong-Sheng Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes recent progress on the mechanisms of ferroptosis resistance in cancer and highlights the role of redox status and metabolism. Combination therapy for ferroptosis has great potential in treating resistant malignant tumors.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2024)
