Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bhumika Rajoria, Xihong Zhang, Douglas Yee
Summary: The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system has long been studied in breast cancer progression, but targeting it has not been successful due to the complexity and homology of its receptors. This study examined the metabolic phenotype of breast cancer cells upon stimulation with IGF-1 and insulin. The results showed that IGF-1R, but not IR, regulates ATP production, providing evidence of the relationship between metabolic dysfunction, cancer, and the IGF axis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noriko Yamada, Rie Matsushima-Nishiwaki, Kaido Kobayashi, Junko Tachi, Osamu Kozawa
Summary: In this study, it was observed that GLP-1 can suppress the migration of HCC cells induced by TGF-? and HGF by inhibiting the SAPK/JNK signaling pathway, and this inhibition is mediated by cAMP production.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Harsha Kabra, Tanaya Walimbe, Kate Stuart, Camille Indey, Swati Jalgaonkar, Elvis Ikwa, Taylor Skurnac, Julia Chen, Andrew Woolley, Nicholas M. Snead, Nathan Bachtell, Diana J. Leeming, Morten Karsdal, Glenn Prestwich, Alyssa Panitch, John Paderi
Summary: SBR-294, targeting collagen-mediated platelet activation and PDGF activity, showed potential therapeutic benefits in reducing liver fibrosis in the CCl4 mouse model. Further investigation is warranted to explore its potential as a treatment for liver fibrosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maider Beitia, Diego Delgado, Jon Mercader, Pello Sanchez, Leonor Lopez de Dicastillo, Mikel Sanchez
Summary: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological therapy that stimulates cell proliferation. The composition of PRP, particularly the levels of certain growth factors, affects its effectiveness. This study found that PRP resulted in higher cell proliferation compared to platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and had higher levels of PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF. Among the growth factors analyzed, only IGF-1 was significantly correlated with cell proliferation and was not dependent on platelet levels. The magnitude of PRP's effect is influenced by platelet count and other platelet-independent molecules.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shun Zhang, Yixin Wang, Yifan Cao, Jin Wu, Zubin Zhang, Haigang Ren, Xiaohui Xu, Elena Kaznacheyeva, Qing Li, Guanghui Wang
Summary: This study found that sorafenib and regorafenib induce cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma by damaging mitochondria, and mitophagy can alleviate this cell death. Inhibiting autophagy or mitochondrial fission can aggravate the cell death caused by these drugs. Additionally, knocking down the protein PINK1 can enhance the inhibitory effects of sorafenib and regorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
M. Chiara Perego, Nicholas Bellitto, Excel Rio S. Maylem, Francesca Caloni, Leon J. Spicer
Summary: This study established a hormone responsive granulosa cell culture system for measuring steroidogenic and cell proliferation responses in feline ovaries. It was found that IGF1 alone and combined with FSH stimulated cell proliferation and estradiol production, while EGF inhibited estradiol production induced by FSH and IGF1.
Article
Oncology
Zichan Dai, Xiaohan Wang, Rangxin Peng, Binghui Zhang, Qi Han, Jie Lin, Jichuang Wang, Junjin Lin, Mingting Jiang, Hekun Liu, Tae Ho Lee, Kun Ping Lu, Min Zheng
Summary: Sorafenib and regorafenib are hindered in their efficacy against HCC by induced IL-6Rα expression, which promotes drug resistance through ATF3-mediated up-regulation. Targeting IL-6Rα may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy to enhance sorafenib/regorafenib efficacy for advanced HCC treatment.
Article
Oncology
Piero Colombatto, Coskun Ozer Demirtas, Gabriele Ricco, Luigi Civitano, Piero Boraschi, Paola Scalise, Daniela Cavallone, Filippo Oliveri, Veronica Romagnoli, Patrizia Bleve, Barbara Coco, Antonio Salvati, Lucio Urbani, Ferruccio Bonino, Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
Summary: The study developed a physic-mathematical model to investigate tumor dynamics in patients with advanced hepatocellular-carcinomas using alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II measures combined with digital imaging. The model showed a higher reduction in neo-angiogenesis in patients with complete responses compared to those with partial responses, stable disease, or no response, indicating an accelerated tumor vasculature decay in complete responders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sho Takata, Hiromi Sakata-Haga, Hiroki Shimada, Tsuyoshi Tsukada, Daisuke Sakai, Hiroki Shoji, Mitsuhiro Tomosugi, Yuka Nakamura, Yasuhito Ishigaki, Hideaki Iizuka, Yasuhiko Hayashi, Toshihisa Hatta
Summary: In this study, it was found that leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) induces the expression and release of insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 and -2 from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the fetal brain, suggesting the involvement of the LIF-IGF axis in cerebral cortical development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tianfeng Yang, Jian Huo, Rui Xu, Yanmin Zhang
Summary: The combination of TSN and RGF synergistically inhibits proliferation and migration of HCC cells, suppressing the phosphorylation of Stat3 and expression of DVL2, and negatively regulating beta-catenin activity. The upregulation of WWOX plays a vital role in inhibiting HCC cell growth, suggesting TRC as a potential therapeutic method for malignant HCC and RGF resistance.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yoshitaka Saito, Yoh Takekuma, Yoshito Komatsu, Mitsuru Sugawara
Summary: The study found that regorafenib treatment can cause hypertension and identified the risk factors associated with severe hypertension. Pre-existing primary hypertension and previous anti-VEGF treatment for >= 700 days were found to be independent risk factors for the development of hypertension.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hongxia Huang, Jue Hou, Kewei Liu, Qin Liu, Liting Shen, Biying Liu, Qian Lu, Ni Zhang, Linrong Che, Jinyang Li, Shan Jiang, Bin Wang, Qinglian Wen, Lu Hu, Jian Gao
Summary: Research shows that CSCs release exosomes in a RAB27A-dependent manner to induce Nanog expression and regorafenib resistance in differentiated cells. Furthermore, exosomes released by CSCs upregulate Nanog expression in non-CSCs, while disrupting Nanog sensitizes non-CSCs to regorafenib. Targeting this exosome signaling between distinct cellular subsets may be a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Derek LeRoith, Jeff M. P. Holly, Briony E. Forbes
Summary: The IGF family of ligands, receptors, and binding proteins play critical roles in normal human physiology and disease states. IGF-I regulates cellular growth, differentiation, and survival to control overall body growth, while IGF-II has important effects prenatally and in tissue-specific roles in adults.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Vella, Marika Giuliano, Maria Luisa Nicolosi, Maria Giovanna Majorana, Malgorzata Anna Marc, Maria Grazia Muoio, Andrea Morrione, Marcello Maggiolini, Rosamaria Lappano, Ernestina Marianna De Francesco, Antonino Belfiore
Summary: The study suggests that DDR1 may function as a novel regulator of breast cancer metabolism independently of IR/IGF1R stimulation, making it a potential target for therapy in breast cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azadeh Sadat Razavi, Maryam Mohtashami, Sepideh Razi, Nima Rezaei
Summary: Platelets may have a dual role in activating T-cells in different stages of cancer, potentially preventing tumor growth by stimulating cellular immunity in pre-cancer stages, while inhibiting T-cells and promoting tumor growth in the advanced stages of cancer.
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Grazia Refolo, Claudio Lotesoriere, Caterina Messa, Maria Gabriella Caruso, Rosalba D'Alessandro
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hikmet Akkiz, Brian I. Carr, Harika G. Bag, Umit Karaogullarindan, Kendal Yalcin, Nazim Ekin, Aysegul Ozakyol, Engin Altintas, Hatice Y. Balaban, Halis Simsek, Ahmet Uyanikoglu, Ayhan Balkan, Sedef Kuran, Oguz Uskudar, Yakup Ulger, Burak Guney, Anil Delik
Summary: The serum levels of inflammation markers CRP, albumin, and ESR are associated with survival in HCC patients. Combinations of these markers show significant differences in survival, maximum tumor diameter, and percentage of patients with portal vein thrombosis in patients with both small and large size HCCs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Brian I. Carr, Vito Guerra, Rossella Donghia, Fabio Farinati, Edoardo G. Giannini, Luca Muratori, Gian Ludovico Rapaccini, Maria Di Marco, Eugenio Caturelli, Marco Zoli, Rodolfo Sacco, Ciro Celsa, Claudia Campani, Andrea Mega, Maria Guarino, Antonio Gasbarrini, Gianluca Svegliati-Baroni, Francesco Giuseppe Foschi, Elisabetta Biasini, Alberto Masotto, Gerardo Nardone, Giovanni Raimondo, Francesco Azzaroli, Gianpaolo Vidili, Maurizia Rossana Brunetto, Franco Trevisani
Summary: The study revealed that survival of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma is influenced by factors including portal vein thrombosis, tumor multifocality, and serum albumin levels. The combination of these factors can help stratify patients into different survival groups.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Notarnicola, Alberto Ruben Osella, Maria Gabriella Caruso, Pasqua Letizia Pesole, Antonio Lippolis, Valeria Tutino, Caterina Bonfiglio, Valentina De Nunzio, Maria Principia Scavo, Antonella Mirizzi, Isabella Franco, Tamara Lippolis, Rosalba D'Alessandro, Maria Grazia Refolo, Caterina Messa
Summary: NAFLD is considered as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, characterized by excessive lipid accumulation and oxidative stress leading to liver injury. The identification of genetic and epigenetic modifications contributing to NAFLD pathogenesis is crucial, while lifestyle modifications remain the main prevention and treatment approach.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Brian Carr, Vito Guerra, Rossella Donghia, Volkan Ince, Sami Akbulut, Veysel Ersan, Sertac Usta, Burak Isik, Emine Samdanci, Sezai Yilmaz
Summary: Background factors like microscopic portal vein invasion (microPVI) and tumor multifocality are important prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the direct relationship between microPVI and multifocality, finding that microPVI had a stronger association with maximum tumor diameter (MTD) and worse survival outcomes in patients with larger HCCs. However, the number of tumor foci did not impact patient survival outcomes.
JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Brian I. Carr, Vito Guerra, Rossella Donghia, Seai Yilmaz
Summary: The study revealed that multifocality and PVT in HCC patients increase with the increase in MTD, and are associated with elevated AFP levels. Although the processes of their increase are different, both involve the growth and invasiveness of HCC cells.
JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Sezai Yilmaz, Brian Carr, Sami Akbulut
Summary: Cholangiocarcinomas are most commonly found in the perihilar region, with surgical resection being the standard treatment. However, a strict patient selection and the Mayo protocol, incorporating neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, staging laparotomy, and liver transplantation, have shown improved 5-year survival rates. Half of the patients with pCCA could not obtain a histopathological diagnosis before NRCT, and those with a diagnosis had lower 5-year survival rates.
JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Brian Carr, Harika Gozukara Bag, Volkan Ince, Sami Akbulut, Veysel Ersan, Sertac Usta, Burak Isik, Zeki Ogut, Adem Tuncer, Sezai Yilmaz
Summary: Blood tests for small HCC patients showed significant differences in lymphocyte counts and AST levels, indicating the potential value of the combination of lymphocyte counts and AST levels for screening patients with chronic liver disease who are at risk for HCC.
JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Burcu Sengez, Brian Carr, Hani Alotaibi
Summary: This article focuses on the association between EMT and inflammation in the context of HCC progression. EMT and inflammation are closely correlated with tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes, and cellular heterogeneity is a common result. Identifying EMT-related biomarkers and understanding EMT regulatory molecules will contribute to promising developments in clinical practice and can be used for predicting metastasis.
JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Veysel Ersan, Sertac Usta, Cemalettin Aydin, Brian Carr, Sinan Karatoprak, Sezai Yilmaz
Summary: This study retrospectively examined the outcomes of non-transplant surgical approaches in patients with Bismuth-Corlette (BC) type IV perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). The results showed that patients who underwent hepatectomy and had negative lymph nodes achieved the best survival rates. However, achieving high survival rates remains challenging in this patient population.
ACTA CHIRURGICA BELGICA
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Rosalba D'Alessandro, Maria Grazia Refolo, Annalisa Schirizzi, Giampiero De Leonardis, Rossella Donghia, Vito Guerra, Gianluigi Giannelli, Ivan Roberto Lolli, Maria Maddalena Laterza, Ferdinando De Vita, Caterina Messa, Claudio Lotesoriere
Summary: The combination therapy of paclitaxel and ramucirumab is the preferred treatment for advanced gastric cancer. However, there are currently no biomarkers available to predict the outcome of antiangiogenic therapy in gastric cancer. This study found that monitoring the changes in VEGFC and Angiopoietin-2 levels during second-line therapy can help predict patient progression.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Luca Giacomelli, Rodolfo Sacco, Simonetta Papa, Brian I. Carr
Article
Oncology
Brian I. I. Carr, Vito Guerra
Summary: Multiple serum parameters were evaluated to determine their relationship with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The combination of serum albumin plus GGT levels was found to be the most prognostically useful among the inflammation parameters that were tested.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fatih Ozdemir, Volkan Ince, Sertac Usta, Brian I. I. Carr, Harika G. G. Bag, Ayse Nur Akatli, Aysegul Sagir Kahraman, Sezai Yilmaz
Summary: This study reviewed and compared the prognostic impact and clinicopathologic features of incidental hepatocellular carcinoma (iHCC) patients and hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed before liver transplantation (pdHCC) patients. The results showed that iHCC patients had better histopathologic features and survival rates with lower tumor recurrence compared to pdHCC patients.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Brian I. Carr, Vito Guerra, Rossella Donghia, Fabio Farinati, Edoardo G. Giannini, Fabio Piscaglia, Gian Ludovico Rapaccini, Maria Di Marco, Eugenio Caturelli, Marco Zoli, Rodolfo Sacco, Giuseppe Cabibbo, Fabio Marra, Andrea Mega, Filomena Morisco, Antonio Gasbarrini, Gianluca Svegliati-Baroni, Francesco Giuseppe Foschi, Gabriele Missale, Alberto Masotto, Gerardo Nardone, Giovanni Raimondo, Francesco Azzaroli, Gianpaolo Vidili, Filippo Oliveri, Franco Trevisani
Summary: As the maximum tumor diameter of hepatocellular carcinoma increases, there is a significant trend for increased alpha-fetoprotein levels and an increased percentage of patients with portal vein thrombosis or tumor multifocality. These trends have non-linear patterns, with identifiable sub-trends associated with specific ranges of maximum tumor diameter. The fold-increases in alpha-fetoprotein and portal vein thrombosis compared with increases in maximum tumor diameter suggest a change towards a more aggressive phenotype with increasing tumor size.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
(2021)