Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hemant Joshi, Dhruv Sanjay Gupta, Nosheen Kamruddin Abjani, Ginpreet Kaur, Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya Mohan, Jagjit Kaur, Diwakar Aggarwal, Isha Rani, Seema Ramniwas, Hadi Sajid Abdulabbas, Madhu Gupta, Hardeep Singh Tuli
Summary: Genistein, a commonly occurring isoflavone, has gained popularity for its diverse pharmacological benefits, including improved bone health, reduced postmenopausal complications, and anti-cancer potential. This review provides insights into its usage, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, apoptotic mechanisms in cancer management, opportunities for synergism, and recent clinical trials. Additionally, advancements in nanotechnology for improved safety and efficacy and results from safety and toxicology studies are discussed.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marian Kalocsay, Matthew J. Berberich, Robert A. Everley, Maulik K. Nariya, Mirra Chung, Benjamin Gaudio, Chiara Victor, Gary A. Bradshaw, Robyn J. Eisert, Marc Hafner, Peter K. Sorger, Caitlin E. Mills, Kartik Subramanian
Summary: Quantitative proteomics was performed on 60 human-derived breast cancer cell line models, resulting in the identification and characterization of subtypes of breast cancer. The datasets were found to conform to known transcriptional subtypes and are freely available for public use. These datasets can be used in combination with other measurements to predict drug response, provide context in signaling pathway models, and identify markers of sensitivity or resistance to therapeutics.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Meghana Manjunath, Snehal Nirgude, Anisha Mhatre, Sai G. Vemuri, Mallika Nataraj, Jayanti Thumsi, Bibha Choudhary
Summary: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death in women. Despite progress in treatment, drug resistance and recurrence still impact patient survival. This study aimed to identify lncRNA and mRNA signatures in Indian breast cancer patients using RNA-seq. The analysis revealed a gene set that could segregate the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Survival analysis showed that menopausal status, tumor grade, and hormone status significantly affected the risk of mortality due to breast cancer.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenia C. Salcedo, Michael B. Winter, Natalia Khuri, Giselle M. Knudsen, Andrej Sali, Charles S. Craik
Summary: Differential expression of extracellular proteases and endogenous protease inhibitors has been associated with distinct molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Through global identification of extracellular proteolysis, subtype-specific differences in protease activity and proteolysis associated with HER2-mediated signaling were elucidated.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jonas M. Nikoloff, Mario A. Saucedo-Espinosa, Petra S. Dittrich
Summary: By analyzing the protein profiles of single extracellular vesicles (EVs), we found that EVs released by a single cell can represent its cell of origin. The microfluidic platform we used allowed for immobilization of EVs from individual cells, reducing the heterogeneity seen in cell populations. Through immunostaining and fluorescence microscopy, we determined the biochemical characteristics of membrane and cytosolic proteins in EVs. Our study demonstrates the potential of EVs as diagnostic markers and provides a method for studying EV biogenesis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taku Monjo, Masaru Koido, Satoi Nagasawa, Yutaka Suzuki, Yoichiro Kamatani
Summary: Spatial transcriptomics can enhance histological interpretations by predicting gene expression patterns in unmeasured regions and tissues. Researchers developed a deep learning model called DeepSpaCE, which accurately predicts gene expression using spatial transcriptome data and immunohistochemistry images. They also developed a semi-supervised version of DeepSpaCE, which improves imputation accuracy using unlabeled histology images.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Domenica Lovero, Stella D'Oronzo, Raffaele Palmirotta, Paola Cafforio, Janet Brown, Steven Wood, Camillo Porta, Eleonora Lauricella, Robert Coleman, Franco Silvestris
Summary: The study identified a gene signature correlated with bone metastasis in circulating tumor cells isolated from metastatic breast cancer patients, and revealed 31 differentially expressed genes in CTCs, including MAF, CAPG, GIPC1, and IL1B, which play key prognostic roles in breast cancer.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jessica Roelands, Manon Van der Ploeg, Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn, Hao Dang, Jurjen J. Boonstra, James C. H. Hardwick, Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels, Hans Morreau, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda
Summary: Spatial profiling of pT1 CRC samples revealed the molecular and immunological landscape of early-stage colorectal cancer, identifying biomarkers associated with disease progression and targetable immune processes applicable in a clinical setting.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dolly Rani, Khwanlada Kobtrakul, Wanchai De-Eknamkul, Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of magnetized water on the growth and secondary metabolite production of Pueraria candollei var. mirifica (PM) suspension cells. The results showed that magnetized water treatment increased biomass accumulation, altered the accumulation pattern of isoflavonoids, and enhanced antioxidant activity in the cells.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gyongyi Munkacsy, Libero Santarpia, Balazs Gyorffy
Summary: For patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, adjuvant systemic therapy depends on clinical and pathological factors, as well as gene expression profiling tests to predict the risk of disease recurrence and estimate the potential benefit of chemotherapy. The value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is also being recognized.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shen Zhu, Yongjun Liu, Mingtao Liao, Yang Yang, Yu Bai, Na Li, Sheng Li, Yunxia Luan, Nan Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the expression variation of common insect reference genes in German cockroaches and American cockroaches through multiple algorithms and programs, identified the optimal reference genes for specific conditions for qPCR normalization, and recommended different combinations of reference genes for accurate gene expression profiling in these two important cockroach species.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qiang Song, Lu Dou, Wenjin Zhang, Yang Peng, Man Huang, Mengyuan Wang
Summary: Novel and reliable RG combinations for breast cancer research were identified using a public RNA-seq dataset, providing a solid foundation for accurate normalization of qRT-PCR results across different breast cancer tissues and cells.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ONLINE
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Nicolo Matteo Luca Battisti, Nienke De Glas, Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis, Gabor Liposits, Michael Bringuier, Christine Walko, Stuart M. Lichtman, Matti Aapro, Kwok-Leung Cheung, Laura Biganzoli, Alistair Ring, Johanneke Portielje, Hans Wildiers, Etienne Brain
Summary: This study summarizes the evidence on efficacy, safety, and quality-of-life impacts of chemotherapy and the use and impact of gene expression profiling (GEP) in older patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer (EBC). The results show that chemotherapy survival benefits in older patients are unclear and GEP is less used. The prognostic role of GEP is established, but its predictive role remains unknown.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ying Yu, Wanwan Hou, Yaqing Liu, Haiyan Wang, Lianhua Dong, Yuanbang Mai, Qingwang Chen, Zhihui Li, Shanyue Sun, Jingcheng Yang, Zehui Cao, Peipei Zhang, Yi Zi, Ruimei Liu, Jian Gao, Naixin Zhang, Jingjing Li, Luyao Ren, He Jiang, Jun Shang, Sibo Zhu, Xiaolin Wang, Tao Qing, Ding Bao, Bingying Li, Bin Li, Chen Suo, Yan Pi, Xia Wang, Fangping Dai, Andreas Scherer, Pirkko Mattila, Jinxiong Han, Lijun Zhang, Hui Jiang, Danielle Thierry-Mieg, Jean Thierry-Mieg, Wenming Xiao, Huixiao Hong, Weida Tong, Jing Wang, Jinming Li, Xiang Fang, Li Jin, Joshua Xu, Feng Qian, Rui Zhang, Leming Shi, Yuanting Zheng
Summary: This study established RNA reference materials based on Quartet samples, including four RNA reference materials and ratio-based transcriptome-wide reference datasets between two samples. The results of the study demonstrate that these reference materials can be used to assess and improve the quality of transcriptomic data in clinical and biological settings.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hao Huang, Jianyang Hu, Alishba Maryam, Qinghua Huang, Yuchen Zhang, Saravanan Ramakrishnan, Jingyu Li, Haiying Ma, Victor W. S. Ma, Wah Cheuk, Grace Y. K. So, Wei Wang, William C. S. Cho, Liang Zhang, Kui Ming Chan, Xin Wang, Y. Rebecca Chin
Summary: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with poor prognosis. This study characterizes super-enhancer heterogeneity and identifies genes specifically regulated by TNBC-specific super-enhancers, including FOXC1, MET, and ANLN.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed E. M. Saeed, Rumeysa Yuecer, Mona Dawood, Mohamed-Elamir F. Hegazy, Assia Drif, Edna Ooko, Onat Kadioglu, Ean-Jeong Seo, Fadhil S. Kamounah, Salam J. Titinchi, Beatrice Bachmeier, Thomas Efferth
Summary: This study evaluated the binding affinities of 50 curcumin derivatives to cancer-related target proteins EGFR and NF-kappa B using a molecular docking approach. The results showed similar binding affinities of the curcumin compounds for both target proteins. In silico results were validated using microscale thermophoresis, and bioactivity was further investigated through various assays. The study suggests that the derivatization of curcumin may be a promising strategy to develop more effective targeted curcumin-based drugs for cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatrice E. Bachmeier, Roman Blaheta
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Maria Gemelli, Douglas M. Noonan, Valentina Carlini, Giuseppe Pelosi, Massimo Barberis, Riccardo Ricotta, Adriana Albini
Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been widely used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, but not all patients benefit from them. Other cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as NK cells, also play a role and may affect the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further research is needed to understand the role of pro-inflammatory NK cells in NSCLC and their impact on treatment response to ICIs.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Adriana Albini
CANCER PREVENTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Clementina Sansone, Luigi Pistelli, Angelo Del Mondo, Luana Calabrone, Angelo Fontana, Douglas M. Noonan, Adriana Albini, Christophe Brunet
Summary: This study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effects of Diatoxanthin (Dt) on human lung cells, specifically the A549-hACE2 cell line. Dt enhances cell metabolism and ACE2 enzymatic activity, while decreasing the production of interleukin-6 and increasing the release of interleukin-10 in response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Dt also upregulates genes and proteins related to the interferon pathway and innate immunity response. These findings suggest that Dt may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment and/or prevention of severe inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Article
Immunology
Saeid Najafi-Fard, Elisa Petruccioli, Chiara Farroni, Linda Petrone, Valentina Vanini, Gilda Cuzzi, Andrea Salmi, Anna Maria Gerarda Altera, Assunta Navarra, Tonino Alonzi, Emanuele Nicastri, Fabrizio Palmieri, Gina Gualano, Valentina Carlini, Douglas McClain Noonan, Adriana Albini, Delia Goletti
Summary: In COVID-19 patients, levels of IL-10 and other immune factors were significantly elevated, with some reaching peak levels in the second week of infection. Exogenous IL-10 addition significantly downregulated IFN-gamma response and other immune factors in both COVID-19 patients and unvaccinated controls in a study population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Andrea Sonaglioni, Michele Lombardo, Adriana Albini, Douglas M. Noonan, Margherita Re, Roberto Cassandro, Davide Elia, Antonella Caminati, Gian Luigi Nicolosi, Sergio Harari
Summary: This study investigated the clinical predictors of in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection. It found that high comorbidity burden, high levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and undertreatment with ACEI/ARBs were the main prognostic indicators of in-hospital mortality.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Melania Grottoli, Paolo Carrega, Lodovica Zullo, Chiara Dellepiane, Giovanni Rossi, Francesca Parisi, Giulia Barletta, Linda Zinoli, Simona Coco, Angela Alama, Silvia Marconi, Monica Parodi, Paola Orecchia, Sara Bassi, Massimo Vitale, Maria Cristina Mingari, Ulrich Pfeffer, Carlo Genova, Gabriella Pietra
Summary: This review provides an overview of NK cell-based checkpoint therapy approaches, including their rationale, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy. The article also discusses the future directions and planned enhancements in this field. Compared to T cell-based checkpoint immunotherapies, NK cells have higher potential in anti-tumor activity, making them a promising target for tumors that escape T-cell-mediated control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppina Bonizzi, Lorenzo Zattoni, Maria Capra, Cristina Cassi, Giulio Taliento, Mariia Ivanova, Elena Guerini-Rocco, Marzia Fumagalli, Massimo Monturano, Adriana Albini, Giuseppe Viale, Roberto Orecchia, Nicola Fusco
Summary: Biobanks are crucial for precision medicine research, with specific protocols and guidelines necessary to maintain optimal quality. Standard operating procedures should cover protocols, troubleshooting, and quality controls.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Adriana Agnese Amaro, Rosaria Gangemi, Laura Emionite, Patrizio Castagnola, Gilberto Filaci, Martine. J. J. Jager, Enrica Teresa Tanda, Francesco Spagnolo, Matteo Mascherini, Ulrich Pfeffer, Michela Croce
Summary: It has been found that driver mutations GNAQ and GNA11 activate MAP kinase and YAP/TAZ pathways, and MEK inhibitors do not effectively block UM progression. Combined treatment of trametinib and different drugs targeting YAP/TAZ can overcome resistance. The combined treatment of trametinib and cerivastatin can inhibit the growth of BAP1 mutated and chromosome 3 monosomic uveal melanoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adriana Amaro, Max Pfeffer, Ulrich Pfeffer, Francesco Reggiani
Summary: This article introduces a data fusion technique for multi-domain genomic datasets to improve tumor classification results. The study shows that data fusion methods do not generate superior classification results compared to single-domain data. However, these methods might be better suited for predicting treatment response and identifying domain-independent predictive features.
Article
Virology
Beatrice E. Bachmeier, Salome Hoelzle, Mohamed Gasser, Marjan van den Akker
Summary: This study aimed to describe how German general practitioners (GPs) manage patients with ongoing complaints after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most commonly described symptoms were ongoing fatigue, dyspnea, chest tightness, and a decrease in physical capacity. There is a lack of comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing and treating Long-/Post-COVID, and current treatments focus on symptom relief with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Adriana Amaro, Ulrich Pfeffer
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Reggiani, Marianna Ambrosio, Michela Croce, Enrica Teresa Tanda, Francesco Spagnolo, Edoardo Raposio, Mariangela Petito, Zeinab El Rashed, Alessandra Forlani, Ulrich Pfeffer, Adriana Agnese Amaro
Summary: The metastatic risk of uveal melanoma (UM) is determined by limited molecular lesions, somatic mutations, and copy number alterations. BAP1 mutations are always associated with M3 in high-risk patients, while other features such as 6p, 8q, M3, and SF3B1 mutation are present independently. Chr8q gain is frequently associated with chr3 disomy. Gene expression data analysis reveals two clusters, one enriched in metastatic samples with 8q|M3, BAP1|M3, and the other mainly containing low-risk samples with 6p combined with either 8q or SF3B1. Some gene expression events become significant when considering combinations of risk features, indicating additive action. The independence of risk factors supports a random risk model of UM metastasis without an obligatory sequence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nadia Benedetto, Luana Calabrone, Karolina Gutmanska, Nicoletta Macri, Maria Grazia Cerrito, Riccardo Ricotta, Giuseppe Pelosi, Antonino Bruno, Douglas M. Noonan, Adriana Albini
Summary: This study investigated the cooperation between polyphenol-rich extract from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and chemotherapy in breast cancer cells, revealing its cardiovascular protective effects and enhancing the efficacy of breast cancer chemotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)