Cancer Biology & Therapy最新文献

CXCL10 is a chemokine crucial for immune cell recruitment and inflammation modulation, especially ‎within the tumor microenvironment.‎ This review critically analyzes the underexplored role of CXCL10 in modulating ‎JAK/STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt pathways across different tumor types, highlighting ‎inconsistencies in current research and proposing novel therapeutic strategies based on ‎research ‎from databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Future targeted therapies could ‎include personalized ‎approaches that either enhance the immunostimulatory functions of CXCL10‎ or inhibit its tumor promoting effects. Techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CXCL10 has demonstrated potential in preclinical models to ‎reduce tumor-promoting inflammation, while nanoparticle-based CXCL10 inhibitors enhance ‎immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in melanoma. In addition, targeting CXCL10-related mechanisms of immune evasion such as inhibition of CXCR3 may help to prevent metastasis. Futureresearch should focus on CXCL10-targeting approaches in highly immunosuppressive tumors, such as pancreatic and glioblastoma, where immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited efficacy.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly invasive breast cancer, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapy remains the standard of care for TNBC, the development of chemotherapy resistance significantly limits its clinical efficacy. In this study, we identified the deubiquitinating enzyme USP44 as a contributor to chemoresistance in TNBC and investigated the potential regulatory feedback mechanisms involved. In this experimental study, we investigated the sensitivity of TNBC cells MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 to chemotherapy drugs after overexpression and knockdown of USP44 using CCK-8 reagent kit and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression levels of relevant proteins. In vivo xenograft models were established to examine the effects of USP44 and its downstream targets on chemosensitivity. Co-immunoprecipitation assay and ubiquitination assay were conducted to identify interacting proteins and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Knockdown of USP44 increased the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells to chemotherapeutic agents, accompanied by elevated levels of Cleaved PARP. In contrast, USP44 overexpression reduced drug sensitivity. Mechanistically, USP44 was found to interact with EZH2, preventing its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Notably, treatment with GSK126, a specific EZH2 inhibitor, reversed the chemoresistance induced by USP44 overexpression. USP44/EZH2 signaling pathway is one of the key to causing the drug resistance of TNBC, warranting further clinical investigation.

Early and precise diagnosis of cancer is pivotal for effective therapeutic intervention. Traditional diagnostic methods, despite their reliability, often face limitations such as invasiveness, high costs, labor-intensive procedures, extended processing times, and reduced sensitivity for early-stage detection. Electrochemical biosensing is a revolutionary method that provides rapid, cost-effective, and highly sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers. This review discusses the use of electrochemical detection in biosensors to provide real-time insights into disease-specific molecular interactions, focusing on target recognition and signal generation mechanisms. Furthermore, the superior efficacy of electrochemical biosensors compared to conventional techniques is explored, particularly in their ability to detect cancer biomarkers with enhanced specificity and sensitivity. Advancements in electrode materials and nanostructured designs, integrating nanotechnology, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence, have the potential to overcome biological interferences and scale for clinical use. Research and innovation in oncology diagnostics hold potential for personalized medicine, despite challenges in commercial viability and real-world application.

Dysfunction or dysregulation of deubiquitination is closely related to the initiation and development of multiple cancers. Targeted regulation of deubiquitination has been recognized as an important strategy in tumor therapy. However, the mechanism by which drugs regulate deubiquitinase is not clear. Here, we identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 48 (USP48), a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family highly expressed in various tumors, as a specific substrate for the activated caspase-3. During drug induced apoptosis of AML cells, activated caspase-3 cleaves USP48 through recognizing the conservative motif DEQD located at 611-614 sites of human USP48. Subsequent analysis showed that the cleavage USP48 N-terminal fragment which contains catalytic active domain is easily degraded by ubiquitination. Meanwhile knockdown experiment showed that inhibiting the expression of USP48 could also promotes apoptosis and enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. Altogether, these results suggest that targeting USP48 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in AML.

Developing advanced preclinical models and targeted therapies is essential for reducing cancer-related deaths in children with solid tumors. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) have the potential to replicate key elements of the original tumor, including morphology, genetic alterations, and microenvironment, making them valuable tools for studying tumor biology and drug response. We implanted 124 pediatric solid tumor samples, collected for 1 y, into NOD/SCID/IL2Rg (NSG) mice. Tumor fragments were placed subcutaneously, and the animals were monitored for up to 1 y. Histopathology, Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling, RT-PCR and/or RNA-sequencing were performed to confirm tumor identity and detect driver fusions. Fifty-five xenografts were successfully established (44.35% of implanted samples), representing 19 tumor types. Sarcomas, notably osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, displayed first-generation engraftment rates above 55%. Central nervous system tumors had lower success, reflecting unique microenvironmental requirements. Histopathology and STR concordances were 85.45% and 81.1%, respectively, while 92.6% of sarcoma PDXs retained original fusion genes. Second-generation xenografts showed faster growth, suggesting adaptation to the murine host. Sporadic discrepancies, such as new fusions or lymphoproliferative expansions, indicated the need for ongoing molecular validation parallel to other techniques. A pediatric PDX biobank can effectively capture key tumor features while facilitating the study of therapeutic responses and tumor evolution. Our models confirm the feasibility of achieving stable histological and molecular profiles, offering a valuable resource for precision oncology research. Ultimately, these pediatric PDXs could accelerate the discovery of targeted therapy and significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. The stemness and metastasis of tumor cells present major challenges to effective lung cancer treatment. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone body, plays a key role in various cancers. However, whether BHB mediates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. The effects of BHB on the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of NSCLC cells were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit 8, flow cytometry, western blotting, and Transwell assays. The sphere formation assay was used to evaluate the impact of BHB on NSCLC cell stemness. The underlying molecular mechanism was investigated through knockdown and overexpression of free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3) using shRNAs and expression vectors in two NSCLC cell lines (NCI-H1975 and PC-9). In vivo, xenograft tumor and liver metastasis models were established in nude mice. BHB treatment reduced viability, stemness, and migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells. BHB also induced apoptosis and increased cleaved caspase-3 levels in these cells. Moreover, BHB suppressed tumor growth and metastasis, and reduced cell stemness in NSCLC tissues in vivo. Mechanistically, FFAR3 knockdown abolished, while FFAR3 overexpression enhanced, the tumor-suppressive effects of BHB, identifying FFAR3 as a key mediator. These data shed light on the role of BHB in NSCLC development and its underlying molecular mechanisms, suggesting a promising treatment strategy for patients with NSCLC.

Ectopic hepatocellular carcinoma (EHCC) demonstrates morphological and immunohistochemical features identical to conventional intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), originating from ectopic liver tissue (EL), which is defined as a hepatic organ or tissue not connected to the mother liver. EHCC is a rare disease and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Therefore, its epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis are not fully elucidated. Herein, we present a case report of a 52-year-old male diagnosed with unresectable EHCC who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and succumbed to the disease 13 months after treatment, accompanied by a literature review summarizing the epidemiology while analyzing therapeutic strategies and prognostic outcomes in EHCC through synthesis of published case evidence.

Hypoxia-induced Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase 1 (PYCR1) is implicated in bladder cancer (BC), but its specific role remains elusive. This study investigated how PYCR1 promotes BC progression through glycolysis, histone H3 Lysine 18 Lactylation (H3K18la), and Solute Carrier Family 6 Member 14 (SLC6A14)-driven glutamine catabolism. Here, BC cell lines were cultured under hypoxia to evaluate changes in PYCR1 expression, glycolysis, and lactate production. The xenograft and metastasis models in nude mice were used to validate the role of the PYCR1/H3K18la/SLC6A14 axis in BC progression. GEPIA Bioinformatics database data showed that PYCR1 was upregulated in BC and was associated with poor prognosis. The PYCR1 positive expression rate in BC tissues was increased. Hypoxia induced PYCR1 expression in BC cells, enhancing glycolysis and lactate production, which increased H3K18la levels. Upregulated SLC6A14 expression promoted glutamine catabolism and enhanced BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. PYCR1 knockdown inhibited H3K18la levels, SLC6A14 expression, and BC cell aggressiveness; SLC6A14 overexpression reversed these effects. In vivo experiments confirmed that the PYCR1/H3K18la/SLC6A14 axis is critical for hypoxia-driven BC growth and metastasis. In summary, Hypoxia-induced PYCR1 enhances glycolysis, leading to increased lactate production and elevated H3K18la levels, which upregulates SLC6A14 transcription and glutamine catabolism, thereby promoting BC growth and metastasis.

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance is a key factor hindering esophageal cancer (ESCA) treatment. Exosomes have been reported to confer resistance to DDP in various tumor cells. However, the effects of ESCA cell-derived exosomes and exosomal human antigen R (HuR) on DDP resistance in cancer cells have not been elucidated. In this study, isolated exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were employed to assess the functional role of exosomes in ESCA DDP-resistant cells and their parental cells. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify molecules that were positively associated with HuR and validated using dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. We found that exosomes from ESCA cells enhance the resistance of drug-resistant cells to DDP. Importantly, HuR protein, but not mRNA, was directly transferred into DDP-resistant cells via exosomes, thereby increasing the level of HuR protein. Mechanistically, HuR positively correlated with Lamin B2 (LMNB2) in ESCA cells, and ESCA DDP-resistant cells transfected with siRNA targeting LMNB2 exhibited reduced cell viability and elevated apoptosis rates. Moreover, the role of ESCA cell-derived exosomes in the transmission of DDP resistance in vivo was validated using a nude mouse model. Collectively, our results revealed that exosomes exposed to ESCA cells induced greater drug resistance in DDP-resistant ESCA cells via HuR delivery. Targeting HuR or its positively related target LMNB2 may present new therapeutic opportunities for treating patients with DDP-resistant ESCA.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses a significant challenge in oncology due to its dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-301a in facilitating crosstalk between the Hedgehog (Hh) and HIPPO/YAP signaling pathways during the progression of PDAC. Our findings revealed that miR-301a served as a central regulatory node, targeting Gli1 within the Hh pathway and STK4 within the HIPPO/YAP pathway. Immunohistochemical and molecular analyses confirmed dysregulation of pathway components in pancreatic cancer, underscoring the pivotal role of miR-301a. Functional assays demonstrated the impact of miR-301a on cell proliferation and apoptosis, particularly in synergy with TNF-α. Overall, our study elucidated the intricate interplay between the Hh and HIPPO/YAP pathways mediated by miR-301a, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for intervening in PDAC.