Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oleg Shuvalov, Yulia Kirdeeva, Alexandra Daks, Olga Fedorova, Sergey Parfenyev, Hans-Uwe Simon, Nickolai A. Barlev
Summary: This review focuses on a group of plant-derived natural compounds that target different pathways of cancer-associated metabolism simultaneously. These compounds show inhibitory activity against multiple metabolic pathways and important signaling pathways in cancer, making them promising for the improvement of antineoplastic therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Austin C. Boese, Sumin Kang
Summary: Cancer cells exhibit abnormal metabolic activity, often preferring aerobic glycolysis, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways are also reprogrammed in cancer. Cancer cells have higher levels of reactive oxygen species compared to non-cancerous cells and must employ diverse metabolic strategies to prevent oxidative stress.
Article
Cell Biology
Carles Recasens-Alvarez, Cyrille Alexandre, Joanna Kirkpatrick, Hisashi Nojima, David J. Huels, Ambrosius P. Snijders, Jean-Paul Vincent
Summary: Ribosomes are essential molecular machines for protein synthesis, and deficiencies in ribosomal proteins can lead to proteotoxic stress and cell apoptosis. Modulating the integrated stress response and autophagy can affect the severity of ribosomal protein deficiency-induced harm, suggesting potential cytoprotective strategies for ribosomopathies.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Xu-Dong Zhang, Zhong-Yuan Liu, Mao-Sen Wang, Yu-Xiang Guo, Xiang-Kun Wang, Kai Luo, Shuai Huang, Ren-Feng Li
Summary: Regulation of cell mortality for disease treatment has been a focus of research, with the iron-dependent regulated cell death called Ferroptosis being extensively studied. Studies have shown that regulation of ferroptosis brings new treatment strategies for various diseases. Genes involved in iron and lipid metabolism can regulate ferroptosis by controlling iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH), the body's primary non-enzymatic antioxidant, also plays a crucial role in combating lipid peroxidation by assisting glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). This review summarizes recent research on the mechanism of ferroptosis and comprehensively analyzes the regulation of ferroptosis through iron and lipid metabolism, as well as the metabolism of GPX4 and GSH.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marcos F. Fondevila, Uxia Fernandez, Violeta Heras, Tamara Parracho, Maria J. Gonzalez-Rellan, Eva Novoa, Begona Porteiro, Cristina Alonso, Rebeca Mayo, Natalia da Silva Lima, Cristina Iglesias, Aveline A. Filliol, Ana Senra, Teresa C. Delgado, Ashwin Woodhoo, Laura Herrero, Dolors Serra, Vincent Prevot, Markus Schwaninger, Miguel Lopez, Carlos Dieguez, Oscar Millet, Jose M. Mato, Francisco J. Cubero, Marta Varela-Rey, Paula Iruzubieta, Javier Crespo, Maria L. Martinez-Chantar, Robert F. Schwabe, Ruben Nogueiras
Summary: We found that the expression of CPT1A is elevated in HSCs of patients with fibrosis, and that CPT1A induces the activation of these cells. Inhibition of CPT1A can ameliorate fibrosis by preventing the activation of HSCs.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Philipp Rabe, Aenne-Dorothea Liebing, Petra Krumbholz, Robert Kraft, Claudia Staeubert
Summary: The study reveals the important role of succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) in cancer cell metabolism and survival, with its knockdown resulting in increased mitochondrial respiration, superoxide production, and reduction in TCA cycle throughput. Combined with chemotherapy drugs, SUCNR1 knockdown also increases cancer cell death, suggesting its potential as a pharmacological target for cancer treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shagun Sharma, Navneet Agnihotri, Sandeep Kumar
Summary: Advancements in cell metabolism research have highlighted the critical role of glutamine in the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Glutamine is capable of fueling various metabolic pathways in cancer cells and contributing to tumorigenesis through epigenetic modification. Therefore, targeting glutamine metabolism could be a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer management.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yogesh M. Bramhecha, Karl-Philippe Guerard, Etienne Audet-Walsh, Shaghayegh Rouzbeh, Ola Kassem, Erwan Pernet, Eleonora Scarlata, Lucie Hamel, Fadi Brimo, Maziar Divangahi, Armen G. Aprikian, Simone Chevalier, Vincent Giguere, Jacques Lapointe
Summary: This study investigates the role of ECI1 in prostate cancer (PCa) and finds that ECI1 overexpression promotes PCa cell growth, colony formation, cell motility, and mitochondrial respiratory capacity. In vivo experiments show that PCa cells with ECI1 overexpression form larger tumors with more metastases. Immunohistochemistry analysis of human tissue samples further confirms the association of ECI1 expression with high-grade tumors, advanced tumor stage, biochemical recurrence, distant metastasis, and reduced overall survival. Overall, these findings suggest that ECI1 could be a potential target for the management of PCa.
Review
Oncology
Anna Halama, Karsten Suhre
Summary: Dysregulated glutamine metabolism is a distinct feature of cancer cells compared to normal cells, and targeting this pathway can effectively inhibit cancer cell growth. However, cancer cells can activate alternative metabolic pathways to survive, limiting the effectiveness of treatments solely based on glutamine inhibition. Therefore, combination therapies targeting glutamine metabolism along with other pathways show potential for improving clinical outcomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Jimenez-Mora, Beatriz Gallego, Sergio Diaz-Gago, Marina Lasa, Pablo Baquero, Antonio Chiloeches
Summary: The study revealed that inhibition of (V600E)BRAF induces autophagy in thyroid tumor cells, through affecting the LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway and a MEK/ERK-dependent mechanism. Autophagy blockade decreases cell viability and sensitizes thyroid cancer cells to (V600E)BRAF inhibition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gregory Gauthier-Coles, Angelika Broer, Malcolm Donald McLeod, Amee J. George, Ross D. Hannan, Stefan Broer
Summary: SNAT2 is an important amino acid transporter involved in amino acid accumulation, cellular osmolarity, and cell growth. A potent inhibitor of SNAT2 has been identified through high-throughput screening, with selectivity against other transporters. Combined with a glucose transport inhibitor, this compound can halt the proliferative growth of cancer cells.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asitha Premaratne, Charles Ho, Shinjini Basu, Ashfia Fatima Khan, Tasneem Bawa-Khalfe, Chin-Yo Lin
Summary: Liver X receptors (LXRs), as members of the nuclear receptor family, are ligand-dependent transcription factors that regulate lipid and cholesterol metabolism gene expression. LXRs and their ligands have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in various cancers. The compound 1E5 has been identified as an LXR inverse agonist and a potent inhibitor of pancreatic cancer cells. It disrupts glutamine metabolism, commonly reprogrammed in breast cancers, and shows potential as a therapeutic target for breast cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation and colony formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Xu, Rui Xu, Phei Er Saw, Jun Wu, Si-Xue Cheng, Xiaoding Xu
Summary: This study developed a nanoparticle platform targeting tumor cells for effective breast cancer therapy by inhibiting mitochondrial glutaminolysis and employing chemodynamic therapy. The approach involves targeting and releasing specific substances to disrupt tumor cell metabolism and redox balance, ultimately inhibiting tumor growth.
Review
Virology
Milad Zandi, Somayeh Shokri, Shahab Mahmoudvand, Ahmad Hosseinzadeh Adli, Ramin Mohammadi, Azita Haddadi
Summary: DNA viruses can manipulate host cell metabolism, including glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and amino acid metabolism, to increase available energy for productive infection. This review provides insights for future development of novel therapeutic approaches.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Vasudevarao Penugurti, Saratchandra Singh Khumukcham, Chiranjeevi Padala, Anju Dwivedi, Karthik Reddy Kamireddy, Srinivasulu Mukta, Triveni Bhopal, Bramanandam Manavathi
Summary: Cancer cells switch from survival to death under metabolic stress through a signaling switch involving AMPK, FOXO3a, HPIP, RNF2, and the ubiquitin pathway. HPIP is a signal coordinator during metabolic stress, rewiring glutamine metabolism and serving as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. Elevated HPIP levels correlate with AMPK activation in breast cancer, highlighting its importance in cancer survival mechanisms.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Takwa Bedhiafi, Sourour Idoudi, Areej Ali Alhams, Queenie Fernandes, Heba Iqbal, Renuka Basineni, Shahab Uddin, Said Dermime, Maysaloun Merhi, Nashiru Billa
Summary: Polydopamine (PDA) is a biopolymer with unique physicochemical properties and has various applications in drug delivery, biosensing, imaging, and cancer therapy. Recent research has discovered the potential of PDA as a coating material for mucosal drug delivery, but there is limited information on this application. This review presents the properties of PDA and its biomedical applications, with a focus on its role as a coating material for nanoparticulate carriers in mucosal drug delivery. The challenges and possibilities of translating this technology to clinical studies are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karama Makni Maalej, Maysaloun Merhi, Varghese P. Inchakalody, Sarra Mestiri, Majid Alam, Cristina Maccalli, Honar Cherif, Shahab Uddin, Martin Steinhoff, Francesco M. Marincola, Said Dermime
Summary: In the last decade, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has shown efficacy in treating hematological malignancies, but its value in solid tumors remains inconclusive. The limitations of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors include limited tumor trafficking and infiltration, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and adverse events. CAR-NK and CAR-M cells have been introduced as alternative immunotherapies for solid tumors, with potential advantages such as no HLA compatibility requirement and limited toxicity for CAR-NK cells, and capabilities of phagocytosis, tumor-antigen presentation, and broad tumor infiltration for CAR-M cells. Prospective solutions, such as combination therapies, could enhance the efficacy of CAR-cell immunotherapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sourour Idoudi, Takwa Bedhiafi, Fairooz Sahir, Yousef Hijji, Shahab Uddin, Maysaloun Merhi, Said Dermime, Nashiru Billa
Summary: This study evaluated the anti-cancer activity of curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs) and succinylated curcumin nanoparticles (CUR.SA-NPs) on colon cancer cell lines. The nanoparticles showed dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity, inducing apoptosis through activation of Caspase signaling. Based on their promising attributes and in vitro results, further investigation into the role of these nanoparticle formulations in CRC management is warranted.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Afsheen Raza, Reyad Mohsen, Aladdin Kanbour, Abdul Rehman Zar Gul, Anite Philip, Suma Vijayakumar, Shereena Hydrose, Kirti S. Prabhu, Aisha Khamis Al-Suwaidi, Varghese Philipose Inchakalody, Maysaloun Merhi, Dina Abo M. El-Ella, Melissa Annrose Tauro, Shayista Akbar, Issam Al-Bozom, Wafa Abualainin, Rajaa Al-Abdulla, Shaza Abu Sirriya, Suparna Hassnad, Shahab Uddin, Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim, Ussama Al Homsi, Said Demime
Summary: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly changed the treatment outcomes in NSCLC, but only a small percentage of patients respond to this therapy. This study aimed to identify pre-treatment soluble immune molecules as surrogate biomarkers for tissue PD-L1 status and predictors of response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in NSCLC patients. The analysis of soluble biomarkers showed significant up/down regulation of immune inhibitory checkpoint markers in patients with higher tissue PD-L1 expression. Moreover, certain soluble immune molecules were found to be associated with better progression-free survival and predictive of response to therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sara Voelkel, Thomas S. Tarawneh, Laura Sacher, Aditya M. Bhagwat, Ihab Karim, Hildegard I. D. Mack, Thomas Wiesmann, Bjoern Beutel, Joachim Hoyer, Christian Keller, Harald Renz, Andreas Burchert, Andreas Neubauer, Johannes Graumann, Chrysanthi Skevaki, Elisabeth K. M. Mack
Summary: This study found that COVID-19-ARDS patients who received Ruxolitinib treatment showed significant changes in the serum proteome, involving biological processes such as T-cell response, humoral immune response, and complement activation. In addition, Ruxolitinib regulates the NRF2 pathway and SARS-CoV-2 signaling.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ajay Vikram Singh, Vaisali Chandrasekar, Namuna Paudel, Peter Laux, Andreas Luch, Donato Gemmati, Veronica Tisato, Kirti S. Prabhu, Shahab Uddin, Sarada Prasad Dakua
Summary: More information about genetic makeup, drug response, multi-omics response, and genomic response is now available, leading to personalized treatment. Non-animal testing and computational toxicogenomics are becoming integral parts of risk assessment. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to analyze patient data, predict treatment outcomes, and expedite data processing in personalized medicine and toxicogenomics. This article explores the current trends, future perspectives, challenges, and limitations in personalized medicine, toxicogenomics, and AI.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Naushad Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Asim, Kabir H. Biswas, Amani N. Alansari, Harman Saman, Mohammad Zahid Sarwar, Kudaibergen Osmonaliev, Shahab Uddin
Summary: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) play a crucial role in the progression of lung cancer by modulating the immune response and promoting key processes such as metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. Understanding the role of TEXs in lung cancer tumorigenesis and their response to immunotherapies is important for developing non-invasive biomarkers and improving lung cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pathology
Sehrish Sarwar Baloch, Saqib Raza Khan, Muhammad Tariq, Abdul Wasio, Ayesha Arshad Ali, Mehwish Shahzadi, Munira Moosajee, Shaheena Anwar, Afsheen Raza, Shahab Uddin
Summary: Paraneoplastic syndromes are complex clinical manifestations caused by hormones, cytokines, peptides or antibodies produced by malignant cells in the underlying malignancy, affecting multiple organ systems. Multiple Myeloma (MM), accounting for 10-15% of hematological malignancies and 1-2% of all malignancies, is associated with atypical clinical and laboratory paraneoplastic manifestations. Understanding these manifestations is important for differential diagnosis in uncertain cases.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Reem Khaled M. E. Alsayed, Khalid Sultan A. M. Sheikhan, Majid Ali Alam, Jorg Buddenkotte, Martin Steinhoff, Shahab Uddin, Aamir Ahmad
Summary: Cancer 'stemness' is crucial for the existence and characteristics of cancer cells. Transcription factors such as NF-KB and STAT-3 play a significant role in cancer stemness and are potential targets for cancer therapy. The study of non-coding RNAs has revealed their interactions with these transcription factors, offering insights into the regulatory mechanisms of cancer stemness and potential therapeutic opportunities.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Arshi Waseem, Abdul Quaiyoom Khan, Mohsin Ali Khan, Rehan Khan, Shahab Uddin, Johannes Boltze, Syed Shadab Raza
Summary: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but effective treatments are limited. Abnormal expression of various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been found after stroke, affecting processes such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and autophagy. Understanding the roles and mechanisms of ncRNAs holds promise for future stroke treatments, as they can modify the impact and progression of stroke on a molecular level. Exploring the functions and underlying mechanisms of ncRNAs after stroke may reveal new therapeutic targets and improve diagnostics for stroke.
Article
Cell Biology
Aziz Belkadi, Gaurav Thareja, Fatemeh Abbaszadeh, Ramin Badii, Eric Fauman, Karsten Qatar Genome Program Res Consortium, Karsten Suhre
Summary: Natural human knockouts of genes associated with desirable outcomes can lead to the discovery of new drug targets and treatments. This study combined whole-genome sequencing with proteomics and metabolomics to evaluate the power of this approach for finding genes of clinical and pharmaceutical interest. A rare PCSK9 variant with low circulating levels was identified in a homozygous carrier from the Qatar Biobank, highlighting the potential of consanguineous populations for drug discovery.
Article
Cell Biology
Sourour Idoudi, Takwa Bedhiafi, Shona Pedersen, Mohamed Elahtem, Izzaldin Alremawi, Sabah Akhtar, Said Dermime, Maysaloun Merhi, Shahab Uddin
Summary: This review focuses on the role of HMGB1 in human malignancies and the signaling pathways associated with it. It also discusses the potential of HMGB1 as a target/biomarker for cancer therapy, as well as the therapeutic strategies used to target HMGB1.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abril Izquierdo, Nick Shrine, Jing Chen, Anna Guyatt, Richard Packer, Chiara Batini, Karsten Suhre, Alfred Pozarickij, Robin G. Walters, Stephanie London, Andrew Morris, Louise Wain, Ian P. Hall, Martin D. Tobin
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Queenie Fernandes, Lubna Therachiyil, Abdul Q. Khan, Takwa Bedhiafi, Hesham M. Korashy, Ajaz A. Bhat, Shahab Uddin
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide and current treatments have limited efficacy. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions by leveraging the unique properties of nanomaterials, improving drug efficiency, reducing side effects, and targeting cancer stem cells. However, there are still challenges in obtaining clinical approval for nano-drugs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Shirin Azizidoost, Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati, Mohadeseh Sheykhi-Sabzehpoush, Shahab Uddin, Mehri Ghafourian, Abdolah Mousavi Salehi, Mona Keivan, Maryam Cheraghzadeh, Zahra Nazeri, Maryam Farzaneh, Seyed Esmaeil Khoshnam
Summary: MCM3AP-AS1, a long noncoding RNA, is implicated in the progression of several types of cancers by targeting various signaling pathways and microRNAs associated with cancer development.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Xinru Zhou, Yin Jia, Chuanbin Mao, Shanrong Liu
Summary: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), such as exosomes, have emerged as crucial targets for liquid biopsy and promising drug delivery vehicles in tumor progression. They can serve as biomarkers for tumor diagnosis and as drug carriers for cancer treatment.
Article
Oncology
Ruochan Chen, Ju Zhu, Xiao Zhong, Jie Li, Rui Kang, Daolin Tang
Summary: The interplay between autophagy and apoptosis plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy, with HMGB1 serving as a key regulator in these processes.
Article
Oncology
Zongfu Pan, Xixuan Lu, Tong Xu, Jinming Chen, Lisha Bao, Ying Li, Yingying Gong, Yulu Che, Xiaozhou Zou, Zhuo Tan, Ping Huang, Minghua Ge
Summary: This study uncovered the emerging role of HN1 in promoting dedifferentiation of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells. HN1 negatively regulated the thyroid differentiation markers and had an inhibitory effect on the transcriptional activation of CTCF, thereby influencing the chromatin accessibility of thyroid differentiation genes.
Article
Oncology
Yi Qin, Shengjun Xiong, Jun Ren, Gautam Sethi
Summary: Autophagy plays an important regulatory role in glioblastoma, and its dysregulation can lead to drug resistance and radioresistance. It also affects stem cell characteristics, overall growth, and metastasis. Therefore, autophagy is a promising target for glioblastoma therapy.
Article
Oncology
Katsuya Nagaoka, Xuewei Bai, Dan Liu, Kevin Cao, Joud Mulla, Chengcheng Ji, Hongze Chen, Muhammad Azhar Nisar, Amalia Bay, William Mueller, Grace Hildebrand, Jin-Song Gao, Shaolei Lu, Hiroko Setoyama, Yasuhito Tanaka, Jack R. Wands, Chiung-Kuei Huang
Summary: This study found that serum 2-OG levels in cholangiocarcinoma patients are associated with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Patients with progressive disease showed significantly higher levels of serum 2-OG compared to stable disease and partial response patients. The study also revealed that overexpression of ASPH mimics the effects of 2-OG, and knockdown of ASPH improves chemotherapy. Targeting ASPH enhances the effects of chemotherapy by modulating ATM and ATR, two key regulators of DDRs.