Validation of hyperthermia as an enhancer of chemotherapeutic efficacy: insights from a bladder cancer organoid model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of hyperthermia and chemotherapy using a bladder cancer organoid model and to explore hyperthermia-related molecular pathways. METHOD: Tumor organoids were generated by embedding RT4 bladder cancer cells into Matrigel. The resulting organoids were treated with pirarubicin or gemcitabine at 37 °C or 42 °C. Proliferation was determined by Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, and apoptosis was assessed using a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: Bladder cancer organoids were successfully established and exhibited robust proliferative abilities. Treatment with gemcitabine or pirarubicin under hyperthermic conditions caused pronounced structural damage to the organoids and increased cell death compared to that in the normothermically treated group. Furthermore, Ki67 labeling and TUNEL assays showed that the hyperthermia chemotherapy group showed a significantly reduced proliferation rate and high level of apoptosis. Finally, RNA sequencing revealed the IFN-γ signaling pathway to be associated with hyperthermia. CONCLUSION: Overall, hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy exerted better therapeutic effects than those of normothermic chemotherapy in grade 1-2 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, potentially through activation of the IFN-γ-JAK-STAT pathway.

Palladacycle-catalyzed highly efficient kinetic resolution of 1-hydroxy-2-aryl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes via dehydration reaction.

Palladacycles showed their high efficiency in the kinetic resolution of 1-hydroxy-2-aryl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes via dehydration, providing optically active products in high yields and high ee with an S factor up to 26. The superiority of a benzylic-substituted palladacycle in asymmetric induction was also demonstrated.

Asymmetric ring-opening reaction of oxabicyclic alkenes with aryl boronic acids catalyzed by P-containing palladacycles.

The chiral phosphine-containing palladacycle, synthesized easily from H-MOP, showed its high catalytic activity as well as asymmetric induction ability in ring-opening reaction of oxabicyclic alkenes with arylboronic acids, providing corresponding products in high yields and high ee.