Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hongquan Qin, Jiali Chen, Katia Bouchekioua-Bouzaghou, Ya-Ming Meng, Jordi Bach Griera, Xue Jiang, Xiangzhan Kong, Minghui Wang, Qiuping Xu, Ping-Pui Wong
Summary: The study found that MAGEA regulates tumor-stromal crosstalk in PDAC, with high expression correlating with poor chemotherapeutic response and prognosis in multiple cancers. The mechanism includes inhibition of gemcitabine-induced cancer cell apoptosis and activation of GDF15 secretion to enhance gemcitabine resistance. Targeting MAGEA-mediated paracrine regulation of chemoresistance by immunotherapy could be a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yoshitaka Murota, Kouichi Tabu, Tetsuya Taga
Summary: Glioblastoma multiforme is an incurable tumor with a high relapse frequency. Cancer stem cells play a crucial role in therapy resistance and cancer recurrence by manipulating the microenvironment. However, there is limited research on recurrence, particularly regarding the tumor immune microenvironment.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ankit Banik, Rishika Sharma, Akansha Chauhan, Sandhya Singh
Summary: This article reviews the recent therapeutics developed to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) through multiple signaling cascades, altered metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. It discusses the functioning of CSCs and their interaction with different cells in the tumor microenvironment, as well as possible strategies to disrupt this interaction for better treatment outcomes.
Review
Oncology
Miriam Gaggianesi, Simone Di Franco, Vincenzo Davide Pantina, Gaetana Porcelli, Caterina D'Accardo, Francesco Verona, Veronica Veschi, Lorenzo Colarossi, Naida Faldetta, Giuseppe Pistone, Maria Rita Bongiorno, Matilde Todaro, Giorgio Stassi
Summary: Despite advances in cancer patient management and targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment for many cancer types. Resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is attributed to a subpopulation of cancer cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor mass. Tumor microenvironment (TME) components such as adipocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune cells, and endothelial cells contribute to CSC chemoresistance through the release of growth factors and cytokines.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Morgan Brisset, Patrick Mehlen, Olivier Meurette, Frederic Hollande
Summary: The heterogeneity of cancer cells plays a significant role in therapeutic failure and post-treatment recurrence. Targeting specific subpopulations responsible for chemoresistance and recurrence may improve treatment outcomes in cancer patients. However, the complexity and incomplete understanding of tumor cell subpopulations make it challenging to achieve this.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Hongcao Lin, Chonghui Hu, Shangyou Zheng, Xiang Zhang, Rufu Chen, Quanbo Zhou
Summary: This study identified a four-gene signature and established two nomograms for predicting prognosis and chemotherapy responses in patients with pancreatic cancer. The clinical value of the nomograms was evaluated by decision curve analysis (DCA) and showed potential for clinical treatment decision-making and discovery of molecular mechanism and therapy targets for pancreatic cancer.
Article
Cell Biology
Qianhui Xu, Hao Xu, Shaohuai Chen, Wen Huang
Summary: This study revealed that liver cancer stem cells play a crucial role in clinical outcomes, tumor immune microenvironment complexity, and immunotherapeutic prediction at both mRNA level and stemness level. Quantitative identification of stemness characteristics in individual tumors can aid in predicting clinical outcomes, mapping the landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment, and optimizing precision immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Qianhui Xu, Hao Xu, Shaohuai Chen, Wen Huang
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzed the stemness characteristics in HCC using RNA sequencing data and stemness indices, revealing a correlation between high stemness index and poor prognosis. A prognostic signature was established based on hub genes related to stemness, which successfully classified samples into risk subgroups with good prognostic performance. Additionally, the risk score derived from the signature was associated with the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapeutic targets, as well as tumor mutation burden.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Shou-Cui Gao, Meng-Di Wu, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Yu-Fei Liu, Chen-Long Wang
Summary: This study suggests that a melatonin-related lncRNA signature can serve as an independent prognostic indicator in breast cancer patients. Melatonin-related lncRNAs may be associated with tumor immune microenvironment and could potentially be therapeutic targets for breast cancer patients.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elisabetta Iessi, Rosa Vona, Camilla Cittadini, Paola Matarrese
Summary: Metabolic adaptations in cancer cells promote proliferation, invasion, and resistance to therapy-induced death. Targeting the metabolic peculiarities of cancer could be an innovative therapeutic strategy for treating tumors with known metabolic characteristics.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vahideh Keyvani, Espanta Riahi, Meysam Yousefi, Seyed-Alireza Esmaeili, Rana Shafabakhsh, Amin Moradi Hasan-Abad, Maryam Mahjoubin-Tehran, Michael R. Hamblin, Samaneh Mollazadeh, Hamed Mirzaei
Summary: This article discusses the molecular mechanism of gynecologic cancer and the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in treatment, aiming to discover more specific therapeutic approaches to gynecologic cancer.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
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.
Article
Oncology
Junliang Chen, Zhihao Liu, Zhiyuan Wu, Wenjun Li, Xiaodong Tan
Summary: This study aimed to identify key genes regulating chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer (PC) and develop a gene signature for prognosis prediction. The results showed that ALDH3B1 and NCEH1 were involved in PC progression and gemcitabine chemoresistance, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Diana Tavares-Valente, Stefania Cannone, Maria Raffaella Greco, Tiago Miguel Amaral Carvalho, Fatima Baltazar, Odilia Queiros, Gennaro Agrimi, Stephan J. Reshkin, Rosa Angela Cardone
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis due to the fibrotic desmoplastic reaction and high levels of ECM collagen I which provide a niche for CSCs. As ECM collagen I content increases, CSCs switch to glutamine metabolism. Additionally, all BMs synergistically potentiate the cytotoxicity of NAB-PTX.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chen Xie, Pen-Jen Lin, Jijun Hao
Summary: PDE4D is highly expressed in chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells, and inhibiting PDE4D with Eggmanone effectively reduces invasion, proliferation, and induces cell death in these cells. Eggmanone also enhances docetaxel cytotoxicity and down-regulates CSC marker gene expression, attenuating sphere formation in chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mohamed Nadjib Boukhatem, Mohamed Amine Ferhat, Mehdi Rajabi, Shaker A. Mousa
Summary: The extraction of lemongrass essential oil using large quantities of solvents has environmental concerns. Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction (SFME) is a promising and greener alternative method, providing faster extraction and higher citral content.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Osheiza Abdulmalik, Noureldien H. E. Darwish, Vandhana Muralidharan-Chari, Maii Abu Taleb, Shaker A. Mousa
Summary: Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease that causes abnormal blood cells. A new heparin derivative, S-NACH, has been found to directly interfere with HbS and reduce red blood cell deformation, making it a promising candidate for treating sickle cell disease.
Retraction
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
A. M. Abou-El-Naga, G. Mutawa, I. M. El-Sherbiny, S. A. Mousa
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Steve Harakeh, Mohammed S. Almuhayawi, Isaac O. Akefe, Saber H. Saber, Soad K. Al Jaouni, Torki Alzughaibi, Yousef Almehmadi, Soad Shaker Ali, Dhruba J. Bharali, Shaker Mousa
Summary: Pomegranate nanoparticles can effectively ameliorate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity without compromising its antitumor efficacy.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kavitha Godugu, Shaker A. Mousa, Gennadi V. Glinsky, Hung-Yun Lin, Paul J. Davis
Summary: Apoptosis can be induced in cancer cells and tumor xenografts by tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) or chemically modified forms of tetrac. Tetrac-based anticancer agents have pro-apoptotic effects through multiple pathways and differential gene expression, and may control the recognition system for apoptotic debris on the cell surface.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gennadi Glinsky, Kavitha Godugu, Thangirala Sudha, Mehdi Rajabi, Sridar Chittur, Aleck A. Hercbergs, Shaker A. Mousa, Paul J. Davis
Summary: Chemically modified forms of Tetrac exert anticancer activity in tumor cells by modulating gene expression via specific hormone receptors, P-bi-TAT downregulates a large number of genes involved in electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation in human cancer cells through acting at alpha v beta 3 integrin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thangirala Sudha, Kavitha Godugu, Gennadi Glinsky, Shaker A. Mousa
Summary: Thyroid hormone L thyroxine stimulates pancreatic carcinoma cell proliferation via thyrointegrin alpha v beta 3 receptors, and antagonist tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) inhibits cancer cell growth. Chemically modified bis-triazole-tetrac conjugated with polyethylene glycol (P-bi-TAT) has higher binding affinity to alpha v beta 3 receptors compared to tetrac. P-bi-TAT treatment increases tumor-targeted radiation-induced cell death and acts as a chemo-sensitizer, enhancing the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in pancreatic cancer cells.
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric Block, Benjamin Bechand, Sivaji Gundala, Abith Vattekkatte, Kai Wang, Shaymaa S. Mousa, Kavitha Godugu, Murat Yalcin, Shaker A. Mousa
Retraction
Chemistry, Medicinal
E. A. Mohamad, A. A. Aly, A. A. Khalaf
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steve Harakeh, Saber Hassan Saber, Nagla El-Shitany, Soad S. Ali, Turki Alamri, Mohammed W. Al-Rabia, Addisu Demeke Teklemariam, Kawther A. Zaher, Zeina W. Sharawi, Shafiul Haque, Manal Naseeb, Eram A. Albajri, Shaker Mousa
Summary: This study found that nanoformulations of ellagic acid combined with metformin effectively improved renal function and reduced kidney damage in rats with type II diabetes. Additionally, this treatment led to a decrease in blood glucose levels, decreased lipid peroxidation, and reduced inflammation.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thikryat Neamatallah, Nagla El-Shitany, Aymn Abbas, Basma G. Eid, Steve Harakeh, Soad Ali, Shaker Mousa
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thangirala Sudha, Taher A. Salaheldin, Noureldien He Darwish, Shaker A. Mousa
Summary: By synthesizing nanoformulations, the stability of EGCG in green tea extract can be enhanced, and the anticancer and antiangiogenic activity can be improved. Nano-EGCG formulations exhibit better suppression of melanoma growth.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kholoud K. Arafa, Mohamed A. Hamzawy, Shaker A. Mousa, Ibrahim M. El-Sherbiny
Summary: This study presents the rational designing of mitochondria-targeted core-shell polymeric nanoparticles for efficient delivery of doxorubicin to hepatic carcinoma mitochondria, showing promising results in inducing apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest.
Article
Oncology
Ali H. El-Far, Amna A. Saddiq, Shymaa A. Mohamed, Omar A. Almaghrabi, Shaker A. Mousa
Summary: In this study, the combinatory effect of curcumin and thymoquinone on breast cancer cell lines was investigated. The results showed that curcumin and thymoquinone induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration activities in breast cancer cells.
INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Amoura M. Abou-El-Naga, Shaker A. Mousa, Fayez Althobaiti, Eman Fayad, Engy S. Fahim
Summary: This study found that testicular tissue can be damaged histologically and ultrastructurally by Bu, a highly toxic chemotherapeutic drug. However, Mel or ZnO NPs can protect the testicular tissue against these alterations induced by Bu through their antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.