Cancer metastasis causes the majority of cancer-related deaths. During metastasis, invasive tumor cells enter the bloodstream and become circulating tumor cells. These cells eventually populate the secondary organs. In addition to genetic mutations, epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-associated changes) are important for regulating gene expression and preserving chromatin integrity in tumor cells. Dysregulation of these epigenetic patterns is critical for carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic spread. We presented an overview of CTC biology, including essential mechanisms such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune evasion. We discussed how epigenetic reprogramming of CTCs also occurs post-transcriptionally via non coding RNAs, The subject then moves to how epigenetic changes in CTCs affect these processes throughout migration, survival in circulation, and metastatic seeding. The following sections discuss the clinical implications of addressing CTC epigenetics, proposing CTC epigenetic changes as prospective biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and targeted therapy intervention to improve patient outcomes.
{"title":"Epigenetic regulation of circulating tumor cells in precision oncology","authors":"Husni Farah , Munthar Kadhim Abosaoda , Hayjaa Mohaisen Mousa , S. Renuka Jyothi , Priya Priyadarshini Nayak , J. Bethanney Janney , Gurjant Singh , Ashish Singh Chauhan","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer metastasis causes the majority of cancer-related deaths. During metastasis, invasive tumor cells enter the bloodstream and become circulating tumor cells. These cells eventually populate the secondary organs. In addition to genetic mutations, epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-associated changes) are important for regulating gene expression and preserving chromatin integrity in tumor cells. Dysregulation of these epigenetic patterns is critical for carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic spread. We presented an overview of CTC biology, including essential mechanisms such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune evasion. We discussed how epigenetic reprogramming of CTCs also occurs post-transcriptionally via non coding RNAs, The subject then moves to how epigenetic changes in CTCs affect these processes throughout migration, survival in circulation, and metastatic seeding. The following sections discuss the clinical implications of addressing CTC epigenetics, proposing CTC epigenetic changes as prospective biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and targeted therapy intervention to improve patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156282"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145467117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156283
Abbas Ali Imani Fooladi , William C. Cho , Russel J. Reiter , Mina Alimohammadi , Najma Farahani , Kiavash Hushmandi
Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are superantigens that polyclonally activate T cells by cross-linking MHC class II on antigen-presenting cells with T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ regions, generating potent IL-2/IFN-γ/TNF responses distinct from conventional peptide–MHC–restricted activation. This review synthesizes mechanistic and translational evidence for SEs in oncology, emphasizing disease-relevant contexts and advanced engineering strategies that improve therapeutic index. Preclinical studies demonstrate antitumor activity across melanoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and hematologic malignancies (e.g., acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma). Tumor-targeted superantigen platforms, such as antibody or ligand–SE fusion proteins and oncolytic vectors encoding Ses, concentrate activity intratumorally, increase intratumoral IFN-γ/TNF, reduce proliferation and angiogenesis, and enhance necrosis while limiting systemic exposure. Engineered SE variants (for example, SEB with attenuated pyrogenicity) and localized delivery further mitigate risks associated with cytokine release. Early clinical experiences with SE-based constructs and SE-modified tumor vaccines report feasibility and signals of activity in head and neck cancer, glioma, renal cell carcinoma, and myeloma, but small, heterogeneous studies limit definitive conclusions. Although SEs can trigger cytokine storm and off-target activation via MHC II on healthy tissues, risk can be reduced through intratumoral/regional dosing, tumor-targeted fusions, dose–schedule optimization, and indication selection informed by MHC II biology; paradoxical, disease-specific effects (e.g., in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) highlight the importance of microbiome-aware protocols. Priorities for translation include disease-focused development in MHC II–II-permissive tumors, combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and biomarker-anchored trials integrating multi-omics and patient selection. With targeted engineering and controlled delivery, SEs can evolve from broadly inflammatory agents into precise immuno-oncology tools with meaningful clinical impact. This review underscores that, with targeted engineering, controlled delivery, and biomarker-guided patient selection, SEs can be advanced from broadly inflammatory agents to precise immuno-oncology platforms ready for rigorous clinical evaluation.
葡萄球菌肠毒素(SEs)是一种超级抗原,它通过在抗原呈递细胞上与T细胞受体(TCR) Vβ区交联MHC II类来多克隆激活T细胞,产生有效的IL-2/IFN-γ/TNF反应,这与传统的多肽MHC限制性激活不同。本文综述了肿瘤SEs的机制和转化证据,强调了疾病相关背景和先进的工程策略,以提高治疗指数。临床前研究表明,它在黑色素瘤、胶质母细胞瘤、肾细胞癌、膀胱癌、肝细胞癌、结直肠癌、乳腺癌、鳞状细胞癌和血液系统恶性肿瘤(如急性髓性白血病、淋巴瘤)中具有抗肿瘤活性。肿瘤靶向超抗原平台,如抗体或配体- se融合蛋白和编码Ses的溶瘤载体,在肿瘤内集中活性,增加肿瘤内IFN-γ/TNF,减少增殖和血管生成,增强坏死,同时限制全身暴露。工程化的SE变体(例如,热原性减弱的SEB)和局部递送进一步降低了与细胞因子释放相关的风险。早期临床经验报告了基于se的结构和se修饰的肿瘤疫苗在头颈癌、胶质瘤、肾细胞癌和骨髓瘤中的可行性和活性信号,但小型异质研究限制了明确的结论。虽然se可以通过MHC II在健康组织上触发细胞因子风暴和脱靶激活,但可以通过肿瘤内/区域剂量、肿瘤靶向融合、剂量计划优化和MHC II生物学指示的适应症选择来降低风险;矛盾的是,疾病特异性效应(例如,在皮肤t细胞淋巴瘤中)突出了微生物组感知方案的重要性。翻译的重点包括以疾病为中心的MHC ii - ii允许肿瘤的开发,与免疫检查点抑制剂的联合,以及整合多组学和患者选择的生物标志物锚定试验。通过有针对性的工程和控制的递送,se可以从广泛的炎症剂演变为具有有意义的临床影响的精确免疫肿瘤工具。这篇综述强调,通过有针对性的工程、控制的递送和生物标志物引导的患者选择,se可以从广泛的炎症药物发展到精确的免疫肿瘤学平台,为严格的临床评估做好准备。
{"title":"Staphylococcal enterotoxins in cancer immunotherapy: An overview of translational advances and targeting strategies","authors":"Abbas Ali Imani Fooladi , William C. Cho , Russel J. Reiter , Mina Alimohammadi , Najma Farahani , Kiavash Hushmandi","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156283","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156283","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are superantigens that polyclonally activate T cells by cross-linking MHC class II on antigen-presenting cells with T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ regions, generating potent IL-2/IFN-γ/TNF responses distinct from conventional peptide–MHC–restricted activation. This review synthesizes mechanistic and translational evidence for SEs in oncology, emphasizing disease-relevant contexts and advanced engineering strategies that improve therapeutic index. Preclinical studies demonstrate antitumor activity across melanoma, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and hematologic malignancies (e.g., acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma). Tumor-targeted superantigen platforms, such as antibody or ligand–SE fusion proteins and oncolytic vectors encoding Ses, concentrate activity intratumorally, increase intratumoral IFN-γ/TNF, reduce proliferation and angiogenesis, and enhance necrosis while limiting systemic exposure. Engineered SE variants (for example, SEB with attenuated pyrogenicity) and localized delivery further mitigate risks associated with cytokine release. Early clinical experiences with SE-based constructs and SE-modified tumor vaccines report feasibility and signals of activity in head and neck cancer, glioma, renal cell carcinoma, and myeloma, but small, heterogeneous studies limit definitive conclusions. Although SEs can trigger cytokine storm and off-target activation via MHC II on healthy tissues, risk can be reduced through intratumoral/regional dosing, tumor-targeted fusions, dose–schedule optimization, and indication selection informed by MHC II biology; paradoxical, disease-specific effects (e.g., in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) highlight the importance of microbiome-aware protocols. Priorities for translation include disease-focused development in MHC II–II-permissive tumors, combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and biomarker-anchored trials integrating multi-omics and patient selection. With targeted engineering and controlled delivery, SEs can evolve from broadly inflammatory agents into precise immuno-oncology tools with meaningful clinical impact. This review underscores that, with targeted engineering, controlled delivery, and biomarker-guided patient selection, SEs can be advanced from broadly inflammatory agents to precise immuno-oncology platforms ready for rigorous clinical evaluation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156283"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145445625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and chronic joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, joint inflammation, and pain, leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. One of the major challenges in OA management is the early diagnosis and effective monitoring of disease progression, due to the lack of specific and sensitive biomarkers. This systematic review aimed to evaluate circulating biomarkers, including serum proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs), for their potential diagnostic and prognostic value in OA. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published from March 18, 2015, to March 18, 2025, resulting in 471 studies. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 clinical studies and among them, 12 investigated circulating proteins and 6 focused on miRNAs. Several serum proteins such as interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-38), complement 3 (C3), autotaxin (ATX), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), hyaluronic acid (HA), and clusterin (CLU) showed significant elevation in OA patients and were linked to disease severity. Regarding miRNAs, some (e.g., let-7e, miR-33b-3p) were downregulated, while others (e.g., miR-146a-5p, miR-92a-3p) were upregulated in OA. Functional analyses using STRING and miRNet tools revealed that these biomarkers are not only diagnostic indicators but may actively contribute to OA pathogenesis, particularly through inflammation and cartilage-related pathways. In conclusion, circulating proteins and miRNAs hold promise as non-invasive biomarkers for knee OA. By integrating evidence from 18 clinical studies with network analyses, we identify two predominant molecular phenotypes: an inflammatory–metabolic axis and a cartilage-turnover axis. However, further large-scale, standardized studies are necessary to confirm their clinical applicability and integration into routine practice
骨关节炎(OA)是一种进行性和慢性关节疾病,其特征是软骨退化、关节炎症和疼痛,导致活动能力降低和生活质量下降。由于缺乏特异性和敏感的生物标志物,OA管理的主要挑战之一是疾病进展的早期诊断和有效监测。本系统综述旨在评估循环生物标志物,包括血清蛋白和microrna (miRNAs),在OA中的潜在诊断和预后价值。在PubMed、Web of Science和Scopus上对2015年3月18日至2025年3月18日发表的研究进行了全面的文献检索,共有471项研究。应用纳入和排除标准,18项临床研究中,12项研究循环蛋白,6项研究mirna。几种血清蛋白,如白介素(IL-6、IL-1β、IL-38)、补体3 (C3)、autotaxin (ATX)、penttraxin 3 (PTX3)、透明质酸(HA)和聚簇素(CLU)在OA患者中显著升高,并与疾病严重程度相关。在OA中,一些mirna(如let-7e、miR-33b-3p)下调,而另一些mirna(如miR-146a-5p、miR-92a-3p)上调。使用STRING和miRNet工具进行的功能分析显示,这些生物标志物不仅是诊断指标,而且可能积极参与OA的发病机制,特别是通过炎症和软骨相关途径。总之,循环蛋白和mirna有望成为膝关节OA的非侵入性生物标志物。通过整合来自18项临床研究的证据和网络分析,我们确定了两种主要的分子表型:炎症代谢轴和软骨转换轴。然而,需要进一步的大规模、标准化的研究来证实其临床适用性和融入日常实践
{"title":"Circulating biomarkers in osteoarthritis: a systematic review unveiling key trends and future prospects","authors":"Francesca Veronesi, Francesca Salamanna, Giulia Sacchi, Veronica Borsari, Gianluca Giavaresi","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and chronic joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, joint inflammation, and pain, leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. One of the major challenges in OA management is the early diagnosis and effective monitoring of disease progression, due to the lack of specific and sensitive biomarkers. This systematic review aimed to evaluate circulating biomarkers, including serum proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs), for their potential diagnostic and prognostic value in OA. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published from March 18, 2015, to March 18, 2025, resulting in 471 studies. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 clinical studies and among them, 12 investigated circulating proteins and 6 focused on miRNAs. Several serum proteins such as interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-38), complement 3 (C3), autotaxin (ATX), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), hyaluronic acid (HA), and clusterin (CLU) showed significant elevation in OA patients and were linked to disease severity. Regarding miRNAs, some (e.g., let-7e, miR-33b-3p) were downregulated, while others (e.g., miR-146a-5p, miR-92a-3p) were upregulated in OA. Functional analyses using STRING and miRNet tools revealed that these biomarkers are not only diagnostic indicators but may actively contribute to OA pathogenesis, particularly through inflammation and cartilage-related pathways. In conclusion, circulating proteins and miRNAs hold promise as non-invasive biomarkers for knee OA. By integrating evidence from 18 clinical studies with network analyses, we identify two predominant molecular phenotypes: an inflammatory–metabolic axis and a cartilage-turnover axis. However, further large-scale, standardized studies are necessary to confirm their clinical applicability and integration into routine practice</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156281"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145418290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed genomics by enabling rapid, high-throughput analysis of DNA and RNA, driving significant progress across multiple fields, such as cancer research, rare disease diagnosis, and personalized medicine. This review discusses the wide-ranging applications of NGS, particularly in identifying genetic variants that guide the development of targeted therapies, improving patient outcomes. The NGS workflow involves crucial steps including data quality control, sequence alignment, and variant calling, supported by both open-source and commercial tools. Cloud-based platforms have further streamlined the storage, management, and processing of the vast datasets generated by NGS technologies. As NGS continues to evolve, ethical challenges, especially concerning genomic data privacy and informed consent, remain critical considerations. Looking ahead, the integration of multi-omics data and the advent of single-cell sequencing hold the potential to deepen our understanding of complex biological processes. Essential databases like dbSNP, COSMIC, and The Cancer Genome Atlas are key resources for interpreting NGS findings and their clinical significance. By effectively utilizing these tools and datasets, researchers can generate new genetic insights with far-reaching implications for advancing human health and understanding disease mechanisms.
下一代测序(NGS)通过实现DNA和RNA的快速、高通量分析,改变了基因组学,推动了癌症研究、罕见疾病诊断和个性化医疗等多个领域的重大进展。这篇综述讨论了NGS的广泛应用,特别是在识别遗传变异,指导靶向治疗的发展,改善患者预后方面。NGS工作流程包括关键步骤,包括数据质量控制、序列比对和变体调用,这些都得到了开源和商业工具的支持。基于云的平台进一步简化了NGS技术产生的大量数据集的存储、管理和处理。随着NGS的不断发展,伦理挑战,特别是关于基因组数据隐私和知情同意,仍然是关键的考虑因素。展望未来,多组学数据的整合和单细胞测序的出现有可能加深我们对复杂生物过程的理解。基本数据库如dbSNP、COSMIC和The Cancer Genome Atlas是解释NGS发现及其临床意义的关键资源。通过有效地利用这些工具和数据集,研究人员可以产生新的遗传见解,对促进人类健康和理解疾病机制具有深远的意义。
{"title":"Next generation DNA sequencing data analysis and its application in clinical genomics","authors":"Abhijit Beura , Gowrang Kasaba Manjunath , Shweta Mahalingam , Mangesh Sudhakar Rajguru , Tikam Chand Dakal , Abhishek Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed genomics by enabling rapid, high-throughput analysis of DNA and RNA, driving significant progress across multiple fields, such as cancer research, rare disease diagnosis, and personalized medicine. This review discusses the wide-ranging applications of NGS, particularly in identifying genetic variants that guide the development of targeted therapies, improving patient outcomes. The NGS workflow involves crucial steps including data quality control, sequence alignment, and variant calling, supported by both open-source and commercial tools. Cloud-based platforms have further streamlined the storage, management, and processing of the vast datasets generated by NGS technologies. As NGS continues to evolve, ethical challenges, especially concerning genomic data privacy and informed consent, remain critical considerations. Looking ahead, the integration of multi-omics data and the advent of single-cell sequencing hold the potential to deepen our understanding of complex biological processes. Essential databases like dbSNP, COSMIC, and The Cancer Genome Atlas are key resources for interpreting NGS findings and their clinical significance. By effectively utilizing these tools and datasets, researchers can generate new genetic insights with far-reaching implications for advancing human health and understanding disease mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156280"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156279
Danna Liu , Xue Zhou , Yixiong Liu , Hong Wang , Jixin Liu , Zhengyuan Li , Yanfei Liu , Xin Hou , Yuewen Hao
Objectives
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic contrast enhancement MRI(DCE-MRI) data of osteosarcoma patients prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were compared in order to investigate the value of imaging histological features in predicting the rate of tumor necrosis in osteosarcoma and patients' postoperative survival.
Methods
We enrolled 28 osteosarcoma patients who received three courses of NAC followed by tumor resection. Prior to chemotherapy both conventional MRI and DCE-MRI scans were performed Quantitative analysis of histological features within the tumor region was conducted using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and DCE-MRI images. Recursive feature elimination guided the selection of relevant features, and a prediction model was constructed using five machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting, and Bagging Decision Tree). Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), and accuracy. The five imaging features with the strongest predictive capability were identified, and their association with postoperative survival was explored using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
Results
Among the five prediction models, the decision tree, gradient boosting and bagging decision tree models showed high prediction performance, with AUC values of 0.850, 0.856 and 0.872, respectively, and an accuracy of 0.857. Notably, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted the significance of two features extracted from DCE-MRI images -"Small Dependence Low Gray Level Emphasis" (based on the Gray Level Cooccurrence Matrix, GLCM)and "Run Length Non-Uniformity" (based on the Gray Level Run Length Matrix, GLRLM), were significantly predictive of postoperative survival (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
DCE-MRI-based imaging histology models of osteosarcoma patients prior to NAC can be a useful tool for predicting tumour necrosis rates and patient survival after surgery.
{"title":"An MRI radiomics approach to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy for osteosarcoma","authors":"Danna Liu , Xue Zhou , Yixiong Liu , Hong Wang , Jixin Liu , Zhengyuan Li , Yanfei Liu , Xin Hou , Yuewen Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156279","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156279","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dynamic contrast enhancement MRI(DCE-MRI) data of osteosarcoma patients prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were compared in order to investigate the value of imaging histological features in predicting the rate of tumor necrosis in osteosarcoma and patients' postoperative survival.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We enrolled 28 osteosarcoma patients who received three courses of NAC followed by tumor resection. Prior to chemotherapy both conventional MRI and DCE-MRI scans were performed Quantitative analysis of histological features within the tumor region was conducted using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and DCE-MRI images. Recursive feature elimination guided the selection of relevant features, and a prediction model was constructed using five machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting, and Bagging Decision Tree). Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), and accuracy. The five imaging features with the strongest predictive capability were identified, and their association with postoperative survival was explored using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the five prediction models, the decision tree, gradient boosting and bagging decision tree models showed high prediction performance, with AUC values of 0.850, 0.856 and 0.872, respectively, and an accuracy of 0.857. Notably, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis highlighted the significance of two features extracted from DCE-MRI images -\"Small Dependence Low Gray Level Emphasis\" (based on the Gray Level Cooccurrence Matrix, GLCM)and \"Run Length Non-Uniformity\" (based on the Gray Level Run Length Matrix, GLRLM), were significantly predictive of postoperative survival (P < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>DCE-MRI-based imaging histology models of osteosarcoma patients prior to NAC can be a useful tool for predicting tumour necrosis rates and patient survival after surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 156279"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145476270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156277
Ashutosh Pathak , G. Surendra , Sathvik Belagodu Sridhar , Patibandla Jahnavi , Jeetendra Kumar Gupta , P. Balaji , N. Juniorsundresh , Konatham Teja Kumar Reddy , Abdul Ajeed Mohathasim Billah , Karthickeyan Krishnan
Skin cancer, a prevalent global cancer, is primarily caused by chronic environmental exposures and cellular signaling pathway deregulation. Traditional therapies like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery face toxicity, resistance, and recurrence issues. Natural compounds, with their diverse biological activity and minimal side effects, are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic agents. This review explores the potential of natural compounds in treating skin cancer by modifying key molecular signaling pathways, including MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, STAT3, and Wnt/β-catenin. Curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and genistein are natural substances known to have potent anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and preventing metastasis. These substances regulate inflammation, prevent angiogenesis, enhance drug effectiveness, combat multidrug resistance, and have low toxicity to healthy skin cells, indicating potential therapeutic use. Additionally, their compatibility with current chemotherapeutic drugs underscores their significant role in combating drug resistance. The review underscores the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying phytochemicals' anticancer properties to facilitate their integration into modern treatment methods. Future initiatives should focus on clinical validation, increasing bioavailability, and targeting administration schemes to maximize the therapeutic potential of natural chemicals against skin cancer.
{"title":"Mechanistic insights into plant-derived natural compounds for the treatment of skin cancer: Targeting molecular signaling for therapeutic intervention","authors":"Ashutosh Pathak , G. Surendra , Sathvik Belagodu Sridhar , Patibandla Jahnavi , Jeetendra Kumar Gupta , P. Balaji , N. Juniorsundresh , Konatham Teja Kumar Reddy , Abdul Ajeed Mohathasim Billah , Karthickeyan Krishnan","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Skin cancer, a prevalent global cancer, is primarily caused by chronic environmental exposures and cellular signaling pathway deregulation. Traditional therapies like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery face toxicity, resistance, and recurrence issues. Natural compounds, with their diverse biological activity and minimal side effects, are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic agents. This review explores the potential of natural compounds in treating skin cancer by modifying key molecular signaling pathways, including MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, STAT3, and Wnt/β-catenin. Curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, and genistein are natural substances known to have potent anticancer effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, and preventing metastasis. These substances regulate inflammation, prevent angiogenesis, enhance drug effectiveness, combat multidrug resistance, and have low toxicity to healthy skin cells, indicating potential therapeutic use. Additionally, their compatibility with current chemotherapeutic drugs underscores their significant role in combating drug resistance. The review underscores the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying phytochemicals' anticancer properties to facilitate their integration into modern treatment methods. Future initiatives should focus on clinical validation, increasing bioavailability, and targeting administration schemes to maximize the therapeutic potential of natural chemicals against skin cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156277"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145392056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-20DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156275
Cuicui Xu , Yuhui Pei , Xiaoman Zhang , Cuicui Wang , Min He , Zhicheng Wan , Ganyu Miao , Jun Hou , Lianghai Wang
Objective
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent digestive system malignancy with a poor prognosis. Previous studies suggested that elevated CD47 expression, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is correlated with poor outcomes in various cancers. However, the precise mechanisms through which CD47 influences HCC progression remain unclear.
Methods
CD47 expression in tumor and adjacent tissues was assessed using online databases and immunohistochemical staining. The effects of CD47 on tumor cell proliferation were evaluated through cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Bioinformatics analyses, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which CD47 regulates tumor progression.
Results
CD47 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues compared to normal counterparts, and its level was closely associated with tumor stage. Overexpression of CD47 enhanced HCC cell growth, whereas silencing CD47 inhibited proliferation. Mechanistically, HIF-1α directly binds to the CD47 promoter, regulating its transcription. Additionally, CD47 stabilizes HIF-1α protein by inhibiting autophagy-lysosome-mediated degradation, establishing a positive feedback loop that promotes HCC cell proliferation.
Conclusion
CD47 is upregulated in HCC tissues, and its interaction with HIF-1α accelerates tumor growth through a positive feedback loop. Targeting both CD47 and HIF-1α may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with HCC.
{"title":"CD47/HIF-1α circuit promotes cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma","authors":"Cuicui Xu , Yuhui Pei , Xiaoman Zhang , Cuicui Wang , Min He , Zhicheng Wan , Ganyu Miao , Jun Hou , Lianghai Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent digestive system malignancy with a poor prognosis. Previous studies suggested that elevated CD47 expression, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is correlated with poor outcomes in various cancers. However, the precise mechanisms through which CD47 influences HCC progression remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>CD47 expression in tumor and adjacent tissues was assessed using online databases and immunohistochemical staining. The effects of CD47 on tumor cell proliferation were evaluated through cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Bioinformatics analyses, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which CD47 regulates tumor progression.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CD47 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues compared to normal counterparts, and its level was closely associated with tumor stage. Overexpression of CD47 enhanced HCC cell growth, whereas silencing CD47 inhibited proliferation. Mechanistically, HIF-1α directly binds to the CD47 promoter, regulating its transcription. Additionally, CD47 stabilizes HIF-1α protein by inhibiting autophagy-lysosome-mediated degradation, establishing a positive feedback loop that promotes HCC cell proliferation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CD47 is upregulated in HCC tissues, and its interaction with HIF-1α accelerates tumor growth through a positive feedback loop. Targeting both CD47 and HIF-1α may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with HCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156275"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-20DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156276
Yonghong Xu , Yifei Xie , Jian Zhao , Jiansheng Zhang , Jie Zhao , Yongliang Du , Jianjie Zhu , Yuanyuan Zeng , Jian-an Huang , Zeyi Liu
Background
USP5, a deubiquitinating enzyme, is linked to various cancers. However, its relationship with immune infiltration and its prognostic significance in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be determined.
Methods
USP5 expression patterns in NSCLC were analyzed using data sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Functional enrichment analyses were performed to predict the role of USP5 in NSCLC development, and Hub genes were identified through a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Immune cell infiltration was assessed via single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, while the prognostic significance of USP5 was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. To facilitate survival rate predictions at different time points, a prognostic model was developed. Previous findings were validated using real-time PCR and in vitro functional assays in NSCLC cell lines.
Results
USP5 expression was found to be markedly elevated in NSCLC tissues when compared to normal tissues. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of USP5 in regulating key pathways linked to lung adenocarcinoma development. PPI network analysis revealed several potential interactions contributing to NSCLC progression. A correlation was observed between higher USP5 levels and the reduced presence of immune cells (e.g., macrophages, CD8 +T cells, NK cells, and iDCs) within the tumor microenvironment. ROC curves confirmed the prognostic value of USP5 for NSCLC. Functional studies in NSCLC cell lines confirmed the molecular effects of USP5 on NSCLC development.
Conclusions
USP5 appears to be a reliable marker for diagnosing NSCLC and predicting its prognosis. Further investigation into the role of USP5 in immune responses may aid in the development of immunotherapies for NSCLC.
{"title":"USP5 influences immune infiltration and prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer","authors":"Yonghong Xu , Yifei Xie , Jian Zhao , Jiansheng Zhang , Jie Zhao , Yongliang Du , Jianjie Zhu , Yuanyuan Zeng , Jian-an Huang , Zeyi Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>USP5, a deubiquitinating enzyme, is linked to various cancers. However, its relationship with immune infiltration and its prognostic significance in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be determined.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>USP5 expression patterns in NSCLC were analyzed using data sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Functional enrichment analyses were performed to predict the role of USP5 in NSCLC development, and Hub genes were identified through a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Immune cell infiltration was assessed via single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, while the prognostic significance of USP5 was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. To facilitate survival rate predictions at different time points, a prognostic model was developed. Previous findings were validated using real-time PCR and <em>in vitro</em> functional assays in NSCLC cell lines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>USP5 expression was found to be markedly elevated in NSCLC tissues when compared to normal tissues. Functional enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of USP5 in regulating key pathways linked to lung adenocarcinoma development. PPI network analysis revealed several potential interactions contributing to NSCLC progression. A correlation was observed between higher USP5 levels and the reduced presence of immune cells (e.g., macrophages, CD8 +T cells, NK cells, and iDCs) within the tumor microenvironment. ROC curves confirmed the prognostic value of USP5 for NSCLC. Functional studies in NSCLC cell lines confirmed the molecular effects of USP5 on NSCLC development.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>USP5 appears to be a reliable marker for diagnosing NSCLC and predicting its prognosis. Further investigation into the role of USP5 in immune responses may aid in the development of immunotherapies for NSCLC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156276"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. This pathology originates from the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), induced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. During CIN, an inflammatory process characterized by immune system activation and increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) occurs. This protein, generally an indicator of inflammatory processes, also has functions that can influence the pathogenesis of several diseases. This review summarizes the current published literature (searched on Pubmed, EMBASE and Web of Science) regarding the factors that affect pathogenesis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/cancer mediated by CRP searched up to 2025. This review highlights the events present in CIN/cancer where CRP may be involved. CRP may induce progression of CIN to cervical cancer through its action on its lectin-like receptor oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and influence events involving complement activation, immune system activation, apoptosis induction, oxidative stress, and modulation of HPV biology.
子宫颈癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤之一。这种病理起源于宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)的进展,由高危人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染引起。在CIN期间,以免疫系统激活和c反应蛋白(CRP)水平升高为特征的炎症过程发生。这种蛋白质通常是炎症过程的指示器,也具有影响几种疾病发病机制的功能。本综述总结了目前已发表的文献(检索Pubmed、EMBASE和Web of Science),关于CRP介导的宫颈上皮内瘤变/癌发病机制的影响因素,检索至2025年。这篇综述强调了在CIN/癌症中CRP可能参与的事件。CRP可能通过其对凝集素样受体氧化低密度脂蛋白受体-1 (LOX-1)的作用诱导CIN进展为宫颈癌,并影响补体激活、免疫系统激活、细胞凋亡诱导、氧化应激和HPV生物学调节等事件。
{"title":"Role of C-reactive protein in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/cancer","authors":"Adriana Pedreañez , Yenddy Carrero , Renata Vargas , Juan P.Hernández Fonseca , Jesús Mosquera","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. This pathology originates from the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), induced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. During CIN, an inflammatory process characterized by immune system activation and increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) occurs. This protein, generally an indicator of inflammatory processes, also has functions that can influence the pathogenesis of several diseases. This review summarizes the current published literature (searched on Pubmed, EMBASE and Web of Science) regarding the factors that affect pathogenesis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/cancer mediated by CRP searched up to 2025. This review highlights the events present in CIN/cancer where CRP may be involved. CRP may induce progression of CIN to cervical cancer through its action on its lectin-like receptor oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and influence events involving complement activation, immune system activation, apoptosis induction, oxidative stress, and modulation of HPV biology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156274"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2025.156273
Yuanyuan Song , Heng Li , Yanyun Zhao , Chen Cheng , Weiwei Zhang , Yingying Sun , Taiyu Jin
Background
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a potentially lethal condition with a considerable mortality rate. This study aims to determine the protective effect of Chuanxing Qingfei Syrup (CQS) against ALI.
Methods
An ALI model was constructed by dropping lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the trachea of mice, and mice were treated with low, medium, and high doses of CQS to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CQS. LPS-treated A549 cells were used to construct an in vitro ALI model, and low, medium, and high doses of CQS were used to treat A549 cells. The cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy of CQS were verified. Bioinformatic analysis was employed to predict the downstream targets of CQS. BCL10 expression in mouse lung tissues and A549 cells was detected. The phosphorylation level of IKKβ, IκBα, and NF-κB p65, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were measured. BCL10 overexpression and treatment with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor PDTC were performed to explore their effects on A549 cell injury. Intranasal instillation of overexpressed BCL10 adeno-associated virus was performed to observe its effect on ALI mice.
Results
CQS effectively alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, inhibited apoptosis, and alleviated lung edema in mice. CQS inhibited apoptosis in A549 cells. CQS inhibited BCL10, and BCL10 activated the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway. Overexpression of BCL10 aggravated A549 cell injury and pathological changes in ALI mice. PDTC treatment mitigated LPS-induced injury in A549 cells overexpressing BCL10.
Conclusion
CQS inhibits ALI progression by targeting BCL10 and suppressing the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.
背景:急性肺损伤(ALI)是一种具有潜在致命性的疾病,死亡率相当高。本研究旨在探讨川兴清肺糖浆(CQS)对ALI的保护作用。方法将脂多糖(LPS)滴入小鼠气管,建立小鼠三ALI模型,并分别给予小鼠低、中、高剂量CQS,评价CQS对小鼠的治疗作用。采用lps处理的A549细胞构建体外ALI模型,并采用低、中、高剂量CQS处理A549细胞。验证了CQS的细胞毒性和治疗效果。采用生物信息学方法预测CQS的下游靶点。检测BCL10在小鼠肺组织和A549细胞中的表达。检测IKKβ、i -κB α、NF-κB p65磷酸化水平及NF-κB p65核易位。通过对BCL10过表达和NF-κB通路抑制剂PDTC的处理,探讨其对A549细胞损伤的影响。通过鼻内注射过表达的BCL10腺相关病毒,观察其对ALI小鼠的影响。结果scqs能有效减轻小鼠炎性细胞浸润,降低炎性因子水平,抑制细胞凋亡,减轻肺水肿。CQS抑制A549细胞凋亡。CQS抑制BCL10, BCL10激活IKK/ i -κB α/NF-κB通路。BCL10过表达加重了ALI小鼠A549细胞损伤及病理改变。PDTC处理可减轻lps诱导的过表达BCL10的A549细胞损伤。结论cqs通过靶向BCL10、抑制IKK/ i -κB α/NF-κB通路抑制ALI进展。
{"title":"Chuanxing Qingfei Syrup ameliorates acute lung injury by suppressing BCL10 expression and blocking the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway","authors":"Yuanyuan Song , Heng Li , Yanyun Zhao , Chen Cheng , Weiwei Zhang , Yingying Sun , Taiyu Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prp.2025.156273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acute lung injury (ALI) is a potentially lethal condition with a considerable mortality rate. This study aims to determine the protective effect of Chuanxing Qingfei Syrup (CQS) against ALI.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An ALI model was constructed by dropping lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the trachea of mice, and mice were treated with low, medium, and high doses of CQS to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CQS. LPS-treated A549 cells were used to construct an <em>in vitro</em> ALI model, and low, medium, and high doses of CQS were used to treat A549 cells. The cytotoxicity and therapeutic efficacy of CQS were verified. Bioinformatic analysis was employed to predict the downstream targets of CQS. BCL10 expression in mouse lung tissues and A549 cells was detected. The phosphorylation level of IKKβ, IκBα, and NF-κB p65, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were measured. BCL10 overexpression and treatment with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor PDTC were performed to explore their effects on A549 cell injury. Intranasal instillation of overexpressed BCL10 adeno-associated virus was performed to observe its effect on ALI mice.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CQS effectively alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, inhibited apoptosis, and alleviated lung edema in mice. CQS inhibited apoptosis in A549 cells. CQS inhibited BCL10, and BCL10 activated the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway. Overexpression of BCL10 aggravated A549 cell injury and pathological changes in ALI mice. PDTC treatment mitigated LPS-induced injury in A549 cells overexpressing BCL10.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CQS inhibits ALI progression by targeting BCL10 and suppressing the IKK/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19916,"journal":{"name":"Pathology, research and practice","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 156273"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}