GLP and G9a histone methyltransferases as potential therapeutic targets for lymphoid neoplasms.

Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are enzymes that regulate histone methylation and play an important role in controlling transcription by altering the chromatin structure. Aberrant activation of HMTs has been widely reported in certain types of neoplastic cells. Among them, G9a/EHMT2 and GLP/EHMT1 are crucial for H3K9 methylation, and their dysregulation has been associated with tumor initiation and progression in different types of cancer. More recently, it has been shown that G9a and GLP appear to play a critical role in several lymphoid hematologic malignancies. Importantly, the key roles played by both enzymes in various diseases made them attractive targets for drug development. In fact, in recent years, several groups have tried to develop small molecule inhibitors targeting their epigenetic activities as potential anticancer therapeutic tools. In this review, we discuss the physiological role of GLP and G9a, their oncogenic functions in hematologic malignancies of the lymphoid lineage, and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs targeting G9a/GLP for cancer treatment.

Therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated targeted gene editing in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: current perspectives, future challenges, and clinical implications.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the predominant hematological malignancy in pediatric populations, originating from B- or T-cell precursors within the bone marrow. The disease exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity, both at the molecular level and in terms of clinical presentation. A complex interplay between inherited and acquired genetic alterations contributes to disease pathogenesis, often resulting in the disruption of cellular functions integral to the leukemogenic process. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 as a gene editing tool has revolutionized biological research, underscoring its potential to modify specific genomic loci implicated in cancer. Enhanced understanding of molecular alterations in ALL has facilitated significant advancements in therapeutic strategies. In this review, we scrutinize the application of CRISPR/Cas9 as a tool for identifying genetic targets to improve therapy, circumvent drug resistance, and facilitate CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects of CRISPR/Cas9 applications in ALL.

Nova face de um velho problema: o autoplágio no cenário da produção científica / A new side of an old problem: self-plagiarism in scientific publications

Este artigo é parte de uma série especial que foi desenvolvida para auxiliar autores no processo da redação científica e comunicação. No cenário da produção científica, dentre as várias infrações éticas, está cada vez mais comum a ocorrência do plágio. Define-se plágio como a apresentação de uma obra contendo partes que pertençam a outra pessoa, sem o devido crédito. Um tipo de plágio que tem ganhado destaque nos últimos anos é o autoplágio, no qual o próprio autor reutiliza seus trabalhos anteriores sem a devida referência. Entretanto, há discussões na comunidade científica sobre esse tipo de plágio, estendendo o termo a algumas má-condutas específicas em publicações científicas. Isso acaba gerando artigos inautênticos e prejudicando a integridade da ciência. O presente artigo tem por objetivo abordar de forma mais detalhada o que é autoplágio, seus motivos e consequências para a comunidade científica. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa não sistemática da literatura, a fim de também apresentar os principais tipos de autoplágio, o que pode ser feito para evitá-lo e como proceder quando o mesmo é detectado.

This article is part of a special series that was designed to assist authors in the process of scientific writing and communication. Among the various forms of ethical misconduct in scientific publishing, plagiarism is increasingly common. Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of a work containing parts authored by another person without due credit. One type of plagiarism that has gained prominence in recent years is self-plagiarism, in which authors themselves reuse their previous work without proper referencing. However, active discussion remains in the scientific community about this type of plagiarism, with the term being extended to some specific forms of misconduct in scientific publication. This practice leads to inauthentic work and ultimately undermines the integrity of science. The purpose of this article is to address in depth the definition of self-plagiarism, the underlying motives for this practice and its consequences for the scientific community. To do so, a non-systematic review of the literature was conducted. Guidance is provided on the major types of self-plagiarism, what can be done to avoid it and how to proceed when it is detected.