Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher W. Schultz, Avinoam Nevler
Summary: This article provides an in-depth analysis of the history of Pyrvinium as a therapeutic, the rationale and data supporting its use as an anticancer agent, and the challenges associated with repurposing Pyrvinium as an anti-cancer agent. Despite the evidence supporting Pyrvinium's efficacy against cancer through various mechanisms, it has not yet been repurposed for cancer treatment and may face challenges.
Article
Oncology
Samuel J. Rodgers, Lisa M. Ooms, Christina A. Mitchell
Summary: Wnt/β-catenin signaling is hyperactivated in many human cancers, including 50% of breast cancers. Repurposing the FDA-approved drug pyrvinium, which suppresses Wnt signaling, may be a more efficient method to target this pathway. We demonstrate that breast cancer cells with high expression of the oncogene INPP4B are selectively sensitive to pyrvinium treatment, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for breast cancers with high INPP4B expression.
Article
Oncology
Wenqian Zheng, Jinhui Hu, Yiming Lv, Bingjun Bai, Lina Shan, Kangke Chen, Sheng Dai, Hongbo Zhu
Summary: The study revealed that pyrvinium pamoate (PP) effectively inhibited proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by suppressing the AKT signaling pathway and increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Additionally, PP also exerted anti-tumor effects by modulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Yitian Li
Summary: The study demonstrated the efficacy of artemisinin in anaplastic thyroid cancer, and suggested that inhibition of WNT signaling may be the key to overcoming artemisinin resistance.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Linxiang Lan, Axel Behrens
Summary: The hierarchy of heterogeneous tumor cell populations, with a small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the top, is explained by the CSC model. These CSCs have the ability to self-renew and generate other cancer cell populations, similar to the function of normal adult stem cells. However, controversies exist regarding the existence and identification of CSCs, which may be attributed to technical differences in experimentation, CSC niche-dependency and plasticity, and CSC heterogeneity itself.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Jihan K. Osborne, John D. Minna
Summary: In this study, Yin and colleagues utilized Gprc5a knockout genetically engineered mouse models to investigate the cell(s) of origin for lung adenocarcinoma, and suggested that the bronchioalveolar stem cell is the cancer-initiating cell in this model.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Wei-Min Chung, Ryan D. Molony, Yi-Fen Lee
Summary: This study revealed that EVs derived from NSCCs contain cargo proteins enriched in proteostasis-related functions, significantly impacting the development of CSCs to be more intrinsically chemoresistant and aggressive. This novel communication mechanism between NSCC-EVs and CSCs may promote disease progression and the acquisition of chemoresistance.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hui Xu, Fengshu Zhao, Di Wu, Yunxia Zhang, Xueyang Bao, Fangfang Shi, Yunlang Cai, Jun Dou
Summary: The immune effects of cancer stem cells (CSCs) vaccines on ovarian cancer (OC) were evaluated. The CSC vaccines were capable of significantly provoking immune responses to autologous tumor antigens in vaccinated mice, resulting in inhibited tumor growth, prolonged survival, and decreased CSC counts in OC tissues. The antitumor efficacy of the vaccines was reduced when the mucin-1 expression in CSC vaccines was down-regulated.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tyson W. Lager, Clay Conner, Claudia R. Keating, Jane N. Warshaw, Athanasia D. Panopoulos
Summary: GRP78 is a heat shock protein that is usually found in the endoplasmic reticulum of normal tissues, but can also be expressed on the cell surface of cancer cells and stem cells. It functions as a signaling molecule with diverse binding partners to regulate various cellular responses. The interaction of GRP78 with Dermcidin (DCD) has been identified as critical for regulating migration in both stem cells and cancer cells, involving the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
Review
Oncology
Yuan-Yuan Wang, Wen-Da Wang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), has shown significant superiority in overcoming tumor immune escape. However, the formation of an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and the lack of effective activation of the immune response are limiting its development. This review focuses on the collusions between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, highlighting the importance of CSC-immune cell crosstalk in ICB resistance and the potential application of targeted drugs to improve the ICB response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joanna Radzikowska, Anna M. Czarnecka, Teresa Klepacka, Magdalena Rychlowska-Pruszynska, Anna Raciborska, Bozenna Dembowska-Baginska, Maciej Pronicki, Andrzej Kukwa, Wojciech Fendler, Urszula Smyczynska, Wojciech Kukwa, Antoni Krzeski
Summary: This study aimed to assess the expression and prognostic role of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The expression of selected CSC markers was confirmed in RMS tissue, but no significant correlation was found with clinical and pathological prognostic factors. Further studies are needed to fully understand the relevance of these CSC markers in RMS carcinogenesis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas Dittmar
Summary: CS/ICs play a crucial role in cancer research and therapy, but their complexity makes identification challenging. Cell-cell fusion could lead to the generation of tumor hybrids with different CS/IC properties, contributing to the heterogeneity of the CS/IC pool within tumors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xia Liu, Valery Adorno-Cruz, Ya-Fang Chang, Yuzhi Jia, Madoka Kawaguchi, Nurmaa K. Dashzeveg, Rokana Taftaf, Erika K. Ramos, Emma J. Schuster, Lamiaa El-Shennawy, Dhwani Patel, Youbin Zhang, Massimo Cristofanilli, Huiping Liu
Summary: Research has shown that inhibiting EGFR can block the circulating cancer stem cell (cCSC) clustering and lung metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In addition to CD44, microRNA-30c also plays a negative regulatory role in cCSC clustering and lung metastasis.
Article
Oncology
Candice Merle, Pauline Lagarde, Lydia Lartigue, Frederic Chibon
Summary: The study suggests that cell fusion may lead to cellular reprogramming and the acquisition of cancer stem cell properties, promoting metastasis formation. Results show that hybrids after cell fusion contain cells with cancer stem cell properties. Inhibiting NANOG reduces migration capacity in hybrids without affecting parental cells.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shuo Zhang, Neng Zhu, Hong Fang Li, Jia Gu, Chan Juan Zhang, Duan Fang Liao, Li Qin
Summary: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell properties, and lipid rafts play a crucial role in CSCs, making them promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elham Abdollahi, Thomas P. Johnston, Zahra Ghaneifar, Parviz Vahedi, Pouya Goleij, Sara Azhdari, Abbas Shapouri Moghaddam
Summary: This review summarizes the impact of curcumin on macrophage polarization in various inflammatory diseases and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms. The findings suggest that curcumin can beneficially influence M1 and M2 macrophages, leading to improved inflammatory conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, renal inflammation, stroke, atherosclerosis, and macrophage-driven pathogenesis.
CURRENT MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarina Ataei, Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni, Shiva Ganjali, Maciej Banach, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenic potential of a carrier-free peptide-based anti-PCSK9 vaccine in albino mice. The results showed that the vaccine induced a significant production of IgG antibodies and inhibited PCSK9 concentrations and its interaction with LDLR in the blood plasma.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni, Maciej Banach, Sayed Abbas Tabatabaei, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: The antiPCSK9 vaccine is safe and does not have adverse effects on the function of different organs and blood levels of cellular and biochemical biomarkers in healthy mice.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amalia Luce, Angela Lombardi, Carmela Ferri, Silvia Zappavigna, Madhura S. Tathode, Amanda K. Miles, David J. Boocock, Jayakumar Vadakekolathu, Marco Bocchetti, Roberto Alfano, Rossella Sperlongano, Angela Ragone, Luigi Sapio, Vincenzo Desiderio, Silvio Naviglio, Tarik Regad, Michele Caraglia
Summary: Recently, we have shown that miR-423-5p influences the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of miR-423-5p on the proteomic profile to identify its targets and affected pathways. Proteomic analysis revealed differential expression of 63 proteins in miR-423-5p-transfected cells, and pathway enrichment analysis showed inhibition of glycolysis and amino acid metabolism, along with downregulation of proteins involved in transcription, hypoxia, immune response, inflammation, and ion transport. We also identified seven proteins commonly targeted by miR-423-5p and differentially expressed proteins, and analyzed their expression and impact on patient survival. Overall, miR-423-5p induces alterations in metabolism and tumor-associated processes in prostate cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenoor Poorshamohammad, Luguang Liu, Xurui Cheng, Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni, Jie Chai
Summary: In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized using plant extract and characterized by physical and chemical techniques. The quasi-spherical nanoparticles of mean diameter 20-50 nm were observed through SEM imaging. The XRD pattern confirmed the metallic gold composition of the nanoparticles. The biologically synthesized AuNPs showed cytotoxic and anti-gastric carcinoma effects against cancer cell lines, indicating their potential in cancer treatment.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandro Ottaiano, Mariachiara Santorsola, Luisa Circelli, Francesco Perri, Marco Cascella, Francesco Sabbatino, Maurizio Capuozzo, Vincenza Granata, Silvia Zappavigna, Angela Lombardi, Marianna Scrima, Nadia Petrillo, Monica Ianniello, Marika Casillo, Oreste Gualillo, Guglielmo Nasti, Michele Caraglia, Giovanni Savarese
Summary: This study examines the impact of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, weight, and p53 mutations on the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes according to ADA criteria and classified hypertension based on ACC/AHA guidelines. Overall survival analysis showed that diabetic patients had lower disease control rates and that the concurrent presence of type 2 diabetes, BMI, and hypertension was an independent prognostic factor. P53 mutations were found to be associated with BMI and had a negative impact on prognosis, suggesting a complex relationship between metabolism and cancer occurrence.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Martino, Chiara Tammaro, Gabriella Misso, Michela Falco, Marianna Scrima, Marco Bocchetti, Ilaria Rea, Luca De Stefano, Michele Caraglia
Summary: MicroRNA (miRNA) are small nucleotides that regulate physiological functions and diseases, especially in cancer. Detection methods such as RT-qPCR, microarrays, and small RNA sequencing have been used for the past 30 years. The advent of nanotechnology has allowed the development of nanostructured biosensors, which offer advantages such as portability, large surface-volume ratio, and increased sensitivity. This review explores the role of nanostructured biosensors in miRNA detection, particularly using electrochemical and optical sensing methods, and highlights the properties and applications of different nanomaterials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Rossella Di Paola, Ananya De, Raafiah Izhar, Marianna Abate, Silvia Zappavigna, Anna Capasso, Alessandra F. Perna, Antonella La Russa, Giovambattista Capasso, Michele Caraglia, Mariadelina Simeoni
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to the accumulation and production of uremic toxins, which activate harmful processes. Gut dysbiosis is common in CKD patients and promotes the growth of certain bacteria that release substances like p-Cresol, Indoxyl Sulfate, and p-Cresyl Sulfate. These substances play a role in chronic inflammation, free radical production, and immune dysfunction, potentially contributing to colon cancer development. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this association.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Elisa Martino, Nunzia D'Onofrio, Camilla Anastasio, Marianna Abate, Silvia Zappavigna, Michele Caraglia, Maria Luisa Balestrieri
Summary: Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play dual roles as oncogenes and tumor suppressors in carcinogenesis by controlling gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. The off-target effect of miRNAs limits their potential therapeutic use, but encapsulating them in nanostructured carriers enables targeted destruction of cancer cells without harming healthy tissues. Nanoparticles (NPs) with their small size and optimal surface/size ratio can encapsulate, protect, and release miRNAs, providing a promising strategy for cancer treatment. This review discusses the latest advances in miRNA-encapsulating NPs for cancer therapy, with a focus on colorectal cancer and its metastatic forms, which are among the most common malignancies worldwide.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marianna Abate, Angela Lombardi, Amalia Luce, Manuela Porru, Carlo Leonetti, Marco Bocchetti, Virginia Campani, Giuseppe De Rosa, Sossio Fabio Graziano, Valeria Nele, Francesco Cardile, Federica Zito Marino, Renato Franco, Andrea Ronchi, Marianna Scrima, Rossella Sperlongano, Roberto Alfano, Gabriella Misso, Evzen Amler, Michele Caraglia, Silvia Zappavigna
Summary: This study demonstrates that nanodiamonds can effectively deliver miRNA to inhibit tumor development and progression. The nanodiamonds have excellent biocompatibility, and the miR-34a conjugated with nanodiamonds can effectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, the miR-34a-conjugated nanodiamonds exhibit remarkable anti-tumor effects in mouse models.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Francesco Perri, Francesco Sabbatino, Alessandro Ottaiano, Roberta Fusco, Michele Caraglia, Marco Cascella, Francesco Longo, Rosalia Anna Rega, Giovanni Salzano, Monica Pontone, Maria Luisa Marciano, Arianna Piccirillo, Massimo Montano, Morena Fasano, Fortunato Ciardiello, Giuseppina Della Vittoria Scarpati, Franco Ionna
Summary: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in the development of both solid and hematologic malignancies, particularly nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs). Viral proteins produced during the latent phase of EBV in epithelial cells can induce or promote carcinogenesis and can be targeted by immunotherapy strategies. The use of check-point inhibitors has shown promising results in treating EBV-associated carcinomas.
Review
Oncology
Alessandro Ottaiano, Mariachiara Santorsola, Luisa Circelli, Anna Maria Trotta, Francesco Izzo, Francesco Perri, Marco Cascella, Francesco Sabbatino, Vincenza Granata, Marco Correra, Luca Tarotto, Salvatore Stilo, Francesco Fiore, Nicola Martucci, Antonello La Rocca, Carmine Picone, Paolo Muto, Valentina Borzillo, Andrea Belli, Renato Patrone, Edoardo Mercadante, Fabiana Tatangelo, Gerardo Ferrara, Annabella Di Mauro, Giosue Scognamiglio, Massimiliano Berretta, Maurizio Capuozzo, Angela Lombardi, Jerome Galon, Oreste Gualillo, Ugo Pace, Paolo Delrio, Giovanni Savarese, Stefania Scala, Guglielmo Nasti, Michele Caraglia
Summary: Oligometastatic disease is a condition in which cancer spreads to only a few distant sites, and it is associated with a more favorable prognosis compared to polymetastatic disease. Recent studies have identified specific molecular and genetic features that underlie the oligometastatic phenotype, suggesting the potential for personalized therapies. This scoping review highlights new clinical, biological, and methodological challenges in understanding and treating oligometastatic disease.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Alessandro Ottaiano, Luisa Circelli, Mariachiara Santorsola, Michele Caraglia
Review
Biology
Alessandro Ottaiano, Monica Ianniello, Mariachiara Santorsola, Raffaella Ruggiero, Roberto Sirica, Francesco Sabbatino, Francesco Perri, Marco Cascella, Massimiliano Di Marzo, Massimiliano Berretta, Michele Caraglia, Guglielmo Nasti, Giovanni Savarese
Summary: Cancer is a complex disease characterized by aberrant cellular behaviors and genetic variances, leading to tumor heterogeneity. This heterogeneity poses challenges in cancer prognosis and treatment, and understanding and quantifying it is crucial. This review emphasizes the significance of comprehending tumor heterogeneity to raise awareness about this elusive characteristic of cancer.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Valerio Nardone, Caterina Romeo, Emma D'Ippolito, Pierpaolo Pastina, Maria D'Apolito, Luigi Pirtoli, Michele Caraglia, Luciano Mutti, Giovanna Bianco, Antonella Consuelo Falzea, Rocco Giannicola, Antonio Giordano, Pierosandro Tagliaferri, Claudia Vinciguerra, Isacco Desideri, Mauro Loi, Alfonso Reginelli, Salvatore Cappabianca, Pierfrancesco Tassone, Pierpaolo Correale
Summary: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients often experience complications from central nervous system (CNS) metastases, which greatly impact their life expectancy and quality of life. Current clinical trials involving neurosurgery, radiotherapy (RT), and systemic treatments have yielded conflicting results. CNS involvement is more frequent in NSCLC patients with EGFR activating mutations or ALK rearrangement, suggesting the potential role of targeted therapy as the initial treatment instead of local therapies such as RT or surgery. However, the use of accurate brain imaging, such as MRI, to identify patients who could benefit from local therapies has not been extensively studied in clinical research. Additionally, there are no clear guidelines on the timing of intervention with regards to innovative precision medicine approaches when concomitant RT is required. This review aims to discuss therapeutic strategies that integrate medical and radiation oncology in patients with metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC) adenocarcinoma with CNS involvement and specific genetic mutations.
