RNA therapeutics history and future perspectives.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics have significantly used RNA-based drugs to the prevention and treatment of diseases as effective messenger RNA-based vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RNA therapeutics with five classes including antisense oligonucleotide, small interfering RNA, microRNA, APTAMER and messenger RNAs are being quickly developed to treat various human diseases as neurological disease, cardiovascular disease, genetic and rare disease, cancer disease, coronavirus disease… which cannot be treated by other conventional drugs as small molecule-based drugs and antibodies. Therefore, the discovery of these RNA therapeutics created a new avenue for treatment of various human diseases. This chapter demonstrates the history of important discoveries in RNA biology and their impact on key developments in RNA therapeutics as well as the advantages of RNA therapeutics; RNA therapeutics describes the action mechanisms and examples of RNA-based drugs approved for treatment of various disease; and RNA therapeutics discusses delivery methods for RNA therapeutics to target organs and cells. In conclusion, this chapter is designed to offer an updated important development and advance of RNA therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of various human diseases.

Human papillomavirus prevalence and genotype distribution in Vietnamese male patients between 2016 and 2020.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men is a serious issue because it is associated with genital warts, anogenital cancers, and HPV transmission to their sex partners. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotypes of HPVs in Vietnamese male patients hospitalized with sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms between 2016 and 2020 by using polymerase chain reaction and reverse dot blot hybridization analysis. HPV DNA was detected in 191/941 (20.3%) penile cell samples. The HPV patient's mean age was 30.3 in the range of 16- and 69-year-old. The highest HPV prevalence (84.7%) was found in patients between 20- and 39-year-old. A total of 313 HPV genotypes were identified. The multiple-infection rate was 42.9%. The most common high-risk (HR)-HPV genotypes were HPV-16 (8.0%), HPV-51 (7.7%), HPV-52 (4.8%), HPV-56 (4.2%), and HPV-18 (3.8%). Furthermore, HPV-11 and HPV-6 genotypes were the two most common low-risk (LR)-HPV genotypes with the rate of 36.7% and 21.4%, respectively. Notably, HPV-52 was found circulating in Vietnam for the first time. In conclusion, this study results showed that HPV prevalence in Vietnamese male patients was common and diverse. In addition, regarding public health and cancer prevention, the inclusion of the HPV vaccination into the national vaccination program for both men and women is recommended.

Antibacterial, Antihemolytic, Cytotoxic, Anticancer, and Antileishmanial Effects of Ajuga bracteosa Transgenic Plants.

Herbal and traditional medicines can play a pivotal role in combating cancer and neglected tropical diseases. Ajuga bracteosa, family Lamiaceae, is an important medicinal plant. The genetic transformation of A. bracteosa with rol genes of Agrobacterium rhizogenes further enhances its metabolic content. This study aimed at undertaking the molecular, phytochemical, and in vitro biological analysis of A. bracteosa extracts. We transformed the A. bracteosa plant with rol genes and raised the regenerants from the hairy roots. Transgenic integration and expression of rolB were confirmed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and qPCR analysis. The methanol: chloroform crude extracts of wild-type plants and transgenic regenerants were screened for in vitro antibacterial, antihemolytic, cytotoxic, anticancer, and leishmanial activity. Among all plants, transgenic line 3 (ABRL3) showed the highest expression of the rolB gene. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis confirmed the enhanced number of functional groups of active compounds in all transgenic lines. Moreover, ABRL3 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, minimum hemolytic activity (CC50 = 7293.05 ± 7 µg/mL) and maximum antileishmanial activity (IC50 of 56.16 ± 2 µg/mL). ABRL1 demonstrated the most prominent brine shrimp cytotoxicity (LD5039.6 ± 4 µg/mL). ABRL3 was most effective against various human cancer cell lines with an IC50 of 57.1 ± 2.2 µg/mL, 46.2 ± 1.1 µg/mL, 72.4 ± 1.3 µg/mL, 73.3 ± 2.1 µg/mL, 98.7 ± 1.6 µg/mL, and 97.1 ± 2.5 µg/mL against HepG2, LM3, A549, HT29, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231, respectively. Overall, these transgenic extracts may offer a cheaper therapeutic source than the more expensive synthetic drugs.

Clinical evaluation of RB1 genetic testing reveals novel mutations in Vietnamese patients with retinoblastoma.

Clinical evaluation of the genetic testing strategy is essential for ensuring the correct determination of mutation carriers. The current study retrospectively analyzed genetic and clinicopathological data from 62 Vietnamese patients with retinoblastoma (RB) referred to the Vinmec Hi-Tech Center for RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1) genetic testing between 2017 and 2019. The present study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) method to identify novel RB1 mutations, and to consider using age at diagnosis as a risk factor. Genomic DNA was analyzed with custom panel based targeted NGS. NGS was performed on the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) sequencing platform, and pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, quantitative PCR (qPCR) or Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification assay (MLPA). Constitutional RB1 variants were identified in 100% (25/25) of the bilateral cases, while several common previously reported RB1 mutations were also recorded. In addition, in Vietnamese patients with RB, nine novel RB1 mutations were identified. Children aged between 0-36 months were more likely to be RB1 carriers compared with those aged >36 months. The current findings indicated that the NGS method implemented in the Vinmec Hi-Tech Center was highly accurate, and age at diagnosis may be used to assess the risk of hereditary RB. Furthermore, the newly identified RB1 mutations may provide additional data to improve the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying RB1 inactivation and the development of rapid assays for detecting RB1 mutations. Overall, the present study suggested that NGS may be applied for detecting germline RB1 mutations in routine clinical practice.

[Corrigendum] Emerging roles of non­coding RNAs in the response of rectal cancer to radiotherapy (Review).

Following the publication of the above review article, the authors have realized that they overlooked including the funding information in the Declarations section. Therefore, the following text should also have been included with the review: Funding: The present review was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government (grant no. 2020R1F1A1061122) and Gachon University Research fund of 2018 (GCU-2018-0670) to SH. The authors regret their oversight, apologize to the funding bodies concerned, and regret any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in International Journal of Oncology 58: 344­358, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5175].

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor NVP­TAE684 suppresses the proliferation of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is known to be an important therapeutic target in various types of cancer. NVP­TAE684, a well­known inhibitor of ALK, was revealed to exert antitumor effects in several different malignancies. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these antitumor effects in cancer cells, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, remain unknown. In the present study, NVP­TAE684 was investigated for its antitumor effects towards pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. MTT assay, western blot analysis, flow cytometry, caspase­3/7 activity assay and Trypan blue exclusion assay were used and it was revealed that NVP­TAE684 suppressed the proliferation of seven human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (AsPC­1, Panc­1, MIA PaCa­2, Capan­1, CFPAC­1, Colo­357 and BxPC­3), and significantly increased G2/M arrest and apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, NVP­TAE684 inhibited the phosphorylation of ALK at Y1604, as well as that of downstream mediators such as AKT (S473) and ERK1/2 (Y202/T204). Notably, knocking down ALK with siRNAs also decreased proliferation and promoted G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of ALK with NVP­TAE684 or siRNA synergistically enhanced gemcitabine­induced cell death by inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that NVP­TAE684 exerted its antitumor effects by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis via the inhibition of the ALK signaling pathway, and suggests its potential use as an antitumor agent against pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Emerging roles of non­coding RNAs in the response of rectal cancer to radiotherapy (Review).

Radiotherapy (RT) followed by radical surgery is an effective standard treatment strategy for various types of cancer, including rectal cancer. The response to RT varies among patients, and the radiosensitivity of cancer cells determines the clinical outcome of patients. However, the application of RT to patients with radioresistant tumors may result in radiation­induced toxicity without clinical benefits. Currently, there are no effective methods to predict the response to RT. The limitations of the methods currently used to evaluate tumor radiosensitivity, which are mainly based on clinical and radiological features, are low sensitivity and specificity. Non­coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as a class of biomarkers for predicting radiosensitivity. In particular, the expression pattern of ncRNAs can predict the response to RT in patients with rectal cancer. Thus, ncRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve the diagnosis and treatment outcome of patients with rectal cancer. In the present review, the current knowledge on the limitations of RT for rectal cancer and the association between ncRNA expression and sensitivity of rectal cancer to RT are presented. Additionally, the potential of ncRNAs as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets to mitigate resistance of rectal cancer to RT is discussed.

The X-linked trichothiodystrophy-causing gene RNF113A links the spliceosome to cell survival upon DNA damage.

Prolonged cell survival occurs through the expression of specific protein isoforms generated by alternate splicing of mRNA precursors in cancer cells. How alternate splicing regulates tumor development and resistance to targeted therapies in cancer remain poorly understood. Here we show that RNF113A, whose loss-of-function causes the X-linked trichothiodystrophy, is overexpressed in lung cancer and protects from Cisplatin-dependent cell death. RNF113A is a RNA-binding protein which regulates the splicing of multiple candidates involved in cell survival. RNF113A deficiency triggers cell death upon DNA damage through multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis via the destabilization of the prosurvival protein MCL-1, ferroptosis due to enhanced SAT1 expression, and increased production of ROS due to altered Noxa1 expression. RNF113A deficiency circumvents the resistance to Cisplatin and to BCL-2 inhibitors through the destabilization of MCL-1, which thus defines spliceosome inhibitors as a therapeutic approach to treat tumors showing acquired resistance to specific drugs due to MCL-1 stabilization.

Anticancer activity and mechanism of bis-pyrimidine based dimetallic Ru(II)(η6-p-cymene) complex in human non-small cell lung cancer via p53-dependent pathway.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cancer worldwide, which is related with poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Notably, ruthenium-based complexes have emerged as good alternative to the currently used platinum-based drugs for cancer therapy. In the present study, we synthesized a novel bis-pyrimidine based ligand 1,3-bis(2-methyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl)benzene (L) and used it in the synthesis of a dimetallic Ru(II) cymene complex [(Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl)2(1,3-bis(2-methyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl)benzene)] (L-Ru). We checked the stability of this complex in solution state in D2O/DMSO­d6 mixture and found it to be highly stable under these conditions. We determined the anticancer activity and mechanism of action of L-Ru in human NSCLC A549 and A427 by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and related biological analyses. These results revealed that L-Ru exerted a strong inhibitory effect on the cells proliferation,G0/G1-arrest, accompanied with upregulation of p53, p21, p15, cleaved Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein and downregulation of cell cycle markers. L-Ru inhibited cell migration and invasion. The mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of NSCLC induced by L-Ru was also observed followed by the increase of apoptosis regulator B-cell lymphoma 2 associated X (BAX), and activation of caspase-3/-9. The effects of L-Ru on the cell viability, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells and Annexin V-positive cells apoptosis induction were remarkably attenuated. This complex induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and cell death via caspase-dependent apoptosis involving PARP activation and induction of p53-dependent pathway. These findings suggested that this ruthenium complex might be a potential effective chemotherapeutic agent in NSCLC therapy.

ONS-donor ligand based Pt(II) complexes display extremely high anticancer potency through autophagic cell death pathway.

The current study unveils ONS-donor ligand based Pt(II) complexes with unusual anticancer potency showing higher anticancer effect as compared to cisplatin. This series of Pt(II)(R-salicylaldimine)Cl (C1a-C4a) (R = 5-H, 5-CH3, F, 3-CH3O) complexes were prepared in single step in good isolated yields from commercially available materials. The chloride ancillary ligand of "a" series (C1a-C4a) was replaced with 4-picoline and "b" series of four complexes Pt(II)(R-salicylaldimine)(4-picoline)BF4 (C1b-C4b) (R = 5-H, 5-CH3, F, 3-CH3O) was obtained. All these complexes were characterized by different structure elucidation techniques. Among these, the structures of C1a, C2a, C2b and C3b were determined in solid state by single crystal X-ray analysis. We found quick aquation of "a" series of complexes in DMSO/water mixture that was well investigated by 1H NMNR, LCMS and ESI-MS, while "b" series of these complexes was quite stable over a month as described by the 1H NMNR in DMSO/D2O mixture. This ONS-donor ligand based class of Pt(II) complexes showed unusual anticancer potency in non-small cell lung cancer A549, colorectal cancer HT-29 and triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. These Pt(II) complexes induced PARP cleavage and significantly inhibited colony formation ability of cancer cells. Mechanistically, we found reduced aggressive growth of cancer cells by the induction of autophagic cell death via LC3-I/LC3-II expression and recruitment of LC3B to autophagosomal membrane. These complexes induced p21 expression, that suggested their potentials to suppress cell cycle progression. Significant activation of Caspase3/7-dependent apoptotic signaling was observed in cancer cells treated with these Pt(II) complexes. Morphological changes of cancer cells suggested their potentials to modulate epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) like features of cancer cells. Gel electrophoresis study revealed their interaction with plasmid DNA. Similarly, strong growth retardation effect and filamentous morphology was observed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). These ONS-donor Pt(II) complexes possessed strong anticancer effect in multiple human cancer cells via activation of multiple pathways for apoptotic and autophagic cell death.

Dimetallic Ru(II) arene complexes appended on bis-salicylaldimine induce cancer cell death and suppress invasion via p53-dependent signaling.

A series of bis-salicylaldimine ligands bearing two ON-donor functions were reacted with dichloro(p-cymene)ruthenium(II) dimer in the presence of base (NaOAc) and a series of four dimetallic Ru(II) arene complexes (Ru(p-cymene))2(bis-salicylaldimine)Cl2 (C1C4) were prepared. These complexes were obtained in excellent isolated yields and characterized in detail by using different spectroscopic techniques. The structure of C1 was also determined in solid state by single crystal X-ray analysis. These complexes were studied for their cytotoxic effect against three different types of human cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), non-small-cell lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells by MTT assay. These complexes showed considerable cytotoxic effect in all the above-mentioned cell lines that was comparable to the effect of cisplatin. C1 and C2 showed moderate anticancer effect while C3 and C4 showed reasonable cytotoxicity. We found the cytotoxicity was increased in series from C1 to C4 representing the effect of ligand modification from small to bulky group at the amine functionality of the salicylaldimine. We selected C3 and C4 for mechanistic anticancer study in MCF-7 cells. The acridine orange/ethidium bromide and DAPI staining assays of MCF-7 cells treated with Ru(II) complexes showed apoptosis in cancer cells. Similarly, these complexes induced p53 protein expression in MCF-7 cells. Further, increased mRNA levels of p63, p73, PUMA, BAX and NOXA genes were observed in response to the treatment with C3 and C4, while cyclinD1, MMP3 and ID1 gene expression was significantly reduced. We found reduced invasion ability in breast cancer cells treated with C3 and C4. Taken together, we demonstrated that bis-salicylaldimine based dimetallic Ru-(p-cymene) complexes exerts anticancer effects by p53 pathway, suggesting the promising chemotherapeutic potentials of these Ru(II) complexes for the treatment of cancer. This study may further pave for their in depth in vitro or in vivo anticancer investigations.

The Endosomal Protein CEMIP Links WNT Signaling to MEK1-ERK1/2 Activation in Selumetinib-Resistant Intestinal Organoids.

MAPK signaling pathways are constitutively active in colon cancer and also promote acquired resistance to MEK1 inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that BRAFV600E -mutated colorectal cancers acquire resistance to MEK1 inhibition by inducing expression of the scaffold protein CEMIP through a ß-catenin- and FRA-1-dependent pathway. CEMIP was found in endosomes and bound MEK1 to sustain ERK1/2 activation in MEK1 inhibitor-resistant BRAFV600E-mutated colorectal cancers. The CEMIP-dependent pathway maintained c-Myc protein levels through ERK1/2 and provided metabolic advantage in resistant cells, potentially by sustaining amino acids synthesis. CEMIP silencing circumvented resistance to MEK1 inhibition, partly, through a decrease of both ERK1/2 signaling and c-Myc. Together, our data identify a cross-talk between Wnt and MAPK signaling cascades, which involves CEMIP. Activation of this pathway promotes survival by potentially regulating levels of specific amino acids via a Myc-associated cascade. Targeting this node may provide a promising avenue for treatment of colon cancers that have acquired resistance to targeted therapies.Significance: MEK1 inhibitor-resistant colorectal cancer relies on the scaffold and endosomal protein CEMIP to maintain ERK1/2 signaling and Myc-driven transcription. Cancer Res; 78(16); 4533-48. ©2018 AACR.

The molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer: Implications for diagnosis and therapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) results from the progressive accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations within cells. The progression from colorectal adenoma to carcinoma is caused by three major pathways: Microsatellite instability, chromosomal instability and CpG island methylator phenotype. A growing body of scientific evidences suggests that CRC is a heterogeneous disease, and genetic characteristics of the tumors determine their prognostic outcome and response to targeted therapies. Early diagnosis and effective targeted therapies based on a current knowledge of the molecular characteristics of CRC are essential to the successful treatment of CRC. Therefore, the present review summarized the current understanding of the molecular characteristics of CRC, and discussed its implications for diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Homo- and heteroleptic Pt(II) complexes of ONN donor hydrazone and 4-picoline: A synthetic, structural and detailed mechanistic anticancer investigation.

Two series of homoleptic Pt(II)(hydrazone)Cl (C1a-C5a) and heteroleptic Pt(II)(hydrazone)(4-picoline). BF4 (C1b-C5b) complexes were prepared and characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F NMR and HR ESI-MS. Structure of C2b was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. These complexes were studied for their in vitro anticancer activities in human multiple cancer cells including breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2), lung (H460), colon (HCT116) and cervical (Hela) cancers. C1a-C5a and C1b-C5b showed considerable anticancer effect. The overall anticancer effect of all these complexes was higher in liver (HepG2) and lung (H460) cancer cell lines and the effect of C2b and C3b was observed to be the highest among these 10 complexes. Therefore, we selected C2b and C3b to study their in vitro anticancer mechanism in HepG2 and H460 cancer cells. C2b and C3b changed cancer cell morphology and inhibited cell migration. The anticancer mechanistic studies demonstrated that C2b and C3b induced cell apoptosis, as evidenced by DAPI and AO/EB staining and flow cytometry analyses. Moreover, qRT-PCR and western blotting analysis showed that H460 and HepG2 cells treated with C2b and C3b significantly increased the expression of p53, p63, p21, p15, Bax and decreased Bcl-2 and c-Myc levels. The DNA binding property of these complexes was investigated by gel electrophoresis using pBR322 plasmid DNA. Taken together, the results obtained from the present study demonstrated the potentials of this new class of Pt(II) complexes in reduction of cell viability, suppression of cell migration and acceleration of apoptosis in different cancer cells.

Silencing of NRF2 Reduces the Expression of ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 and Sensitizes to 5-FU in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Pancreatic cancer remains an intractable cancer with a poor five-year survival rate, which requires new therapeutic modalities based on the biology of pancreatic oncogenesis. Nuclear factor E2 related factor-2 (NRF2), a key cytoprotective nuclear transcription factor, regulates antioxidant production, reduction, detoxification and drug efflux proteins. It also plays an essential role in cell homeostasis, cell proliferation and resistance to chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the possibility that modulation of NRF2 expression could be effective in the treatment of pancreatic cancer cells. We investigated whether the depletion of NRF2 by using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is effective in the expression of biomarkers of pancreatic cancer stemness such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1 (ALDH1A1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family, member A1 (ALDH3A1). NRF2 knockdown markedly reduced the expression of NRF2 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) in cell lines established from pancreatic cancers. NRF2 silencing also decreased the ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 expression. Furthermore, this NRF2 depletion enhanced the antiproliferative effects of the chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in pancreatic cancer cells.

Morpholine or methylpiperazine and salicylaldimine based heteroleptic square planner platinum (II) complexes: In vitro anticancer study and growth retardation effect on E. coli.

Morpholine and methylpiperazine are among the most important structural parts of different drugs including organic chemotherapeutic agents. In the current study we incorporated these entities as co-ligand and a series of structurally related mono- and di-metallic square planner Pt(II) complexes (Pt(II)(salicylaldimine)(morpholine)Cl C1a-C3a, Pt(II)(salicylaldimine) (methylpiperazine)Cl C1b-C3b, di-metallic Pt(II)2(bis-salicylaldimine)(morpholine)2Cl2C4a and Pt(II)2(bis-salicylaldimine)(methylpiperazine)2Cl2C4b were prepared. These complexes were characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F, 2D NOESY NMR, HR ESI-MS and elemental analyses, while structures of C2a, C3a and C4b were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. All these complexes were studied for their in vitro cytotoxic effect on breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. All these complexes showed considerable cytotoxic effect on these tested cancer cell lines comparable to cisplatin. Moreover three complexes C1a, C4a and C1b were studied in details. Time- and dose-dependent study was performed for C1a, C4a and C1b. These complexes induced the expression of p53 that suppresses cancer cell growth. Induction of PUMA gene and repression of MYC oncogene suggested that these complexes targeted different genes to suppress cancer progression. TUNEL assay showed induction of apoptosis and invasion analysis showed reduction in invasion ability of breast cancer cells treated with C1a, C4a or C1b. Importantly, these novel complexes suppressed the expression of EMT and metastasis promoter genes. Similarly these complexes induced autophagy by enhancing the expression of autophagy related genes such as beclin, atg-5 and atg-7. The E. coli growth retardation study showed stronger growth inhibitory effects and subsequently resulted in filamentous morphology of bacterial cells. Gel electrophoresis study proved the interaction of these complexes with DNA. All these analysis revealed anticancer potencies of this class of complexes.

Novel phenylenediamine bridged mixed ligands dimetallic square planner Pt(II) complex inhibits MMPs expression via p53 and caspase-dependent signaling and suppress cancer metastasis and invasion.

Novel phenylenediamine bridged mixed ligands dimetallic square planner Pt(II) complex (L-Pt-Py) was synthesized from simple commercially available precursors in good yield and characterized by 1H, 13C, 2D NOESY NMR and high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). The stability of L-Pt-Py was checked by 1H NMR in mixed DMSO-d6/D2O solvents. L-Pt-Py showed considerable in vitro cytotoxicity in lung (A549), breast (MCF-7) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines and strong in vivo growth inhibition in Escherichia coli (E. coli). These results were compared to the well-known market available platinum anticancer drug cisplatin. L-Pt-Py has strong ability to suppress the growth of multiple cancer cells. Mechanistically, it enhanced p53 protein expression and regulated p53-dependent genes expression such as p21, PUMA, MYC and hTERT. The TUNEL assay showed that L-Pt-Py induced cell death in cancer cells. Inhibition of caspase signaling with caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK suggested that cell death induced by this complex was caspase-dependent. Importantly, L-Pt-Py has the ability to suppress the invasion and migration of human lung and luminal-like breast cancer cells. Similarly L-Pt-Py suppressed the expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7 and MMP-9 to inhibit lung and breast cancer cell metastasis. L-Pt-Py showed stronger inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and also resulted in filamentous morphology of bacterial cells. The gel electrophoresis study of DNA migration revealed the strong interaction of L-Pt-Py with DNA. Taken altogether, L-Pt-Py was highly stable and the in vitro and in vivo biological study results corroborated this complex to be effective anticancer agent.

The Prosurvival IKK-Related Kinase IKKε Integrates LPS and IL17A Signaling Cascades to Promote Wnt-Dependent Tumor Development in the Intestine.

Constitutive Wnt signaling promotes intestinal cell proliferation, but signals from the tumor microenvironment are also required to support cancer development. The role that signaling proteins play to establish a tumor microenvironment has not been extensively studied. Therefore, we assessed the role of the proinflammatory Ikk-related kinase Ikkε in Wnt-driven tumor development. We found that Ikkε was activated in intestinal tumors forming upon loss of the tumor suppressor Apc Genetic ablation of Ikkε in ß-catenin-driven models of intestinal cancer reduced tumor incidence and consequently extended survival. Mechanistically, we attributed the tumor-promoting effects of Ikkε to limited TNF-dependent apoptosis in transformed intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, Ikkε was also required for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL17A-induced activation of Akt, Mek1/2, Erk1/2, and Msk1. Accordingly, genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and anti-microbial peptides were downregulated in Ikkε-deficient tissues, subsequently affecting the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages and IL17A synthesis. Further studies revealed that IL17A synergized with commensal bacteria to trigger Ikkε phosphorylation in transformed intestinal epithelial cells, establishing a positive feedback loop to support tumor development. Therefore, TNF, LPS, and IL17A-dependent signaling pathways converge on Ikkε to promote cell survival and to establish an inflammatory tumor microenvironment in the intestine upon constitutive Wnt activation. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2587-99. ©2016 AACR.

Tumor-suppressive p53 Signaling Empowers Metastatic Inhibitor KLF17-dependent Transcription to Overcome Tumorigenesis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Metastasis, which is controlled by concerted action of multiple genes, is a complex process and is an important cause of cancer death. Krüppel-like factor 17 (KLF17) is a negative regulator of metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cancer progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and biological relevance of KLF17 in cancer cells are poorly understood. Here, we show that tumor suppressor protein p53 plays an integral role to induce KLF17 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). p53 is recruited to the KLF17 promoter and results in the formation of p53-DNA complex. p53 enhances binding of p300 and favors histone acetylation on the KLF17 promoter. Mechanistically, p53 physically interacts with KLF17 and thereby enhances the anti-metastatic function of KLF17. p53 empowers KLF17-mediated EMT genes transcription via enhancing physical association of KLF17 with target gene promoters. Nutlin-3 recruits KLF17 to EMT target gene promoters and results in the formation of KLF17-DNA complex via a p53-dependent pathway. p53 depletion abrogates DNA binding affinity of KLF17 to EMT target gene promoters. KLF17 is critical for p53 cellular activities in NSCLC. Importantly, KLF17 enhances p53 transcription to generate a novel positive feedback loop. KLF17 depletion accelerates lung cancer cell growth in response to chemotherapy. Mechanistically, we found that KLF17 increases the expression of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, and pRB. Functionally, KLF17 required p53 to suppress cancer cell invasion and migration in NSCLC. In conclusion, our study highlights a novel insight into the anti-EMT effect of KLF17 via a p53-dependent pathway in NSCLC, and KLF17 may be a new therapeutic target in NSCLC with p53 status.

Combination of dasatinib and gemcitabine reduces the ALDH1A1 expression and the proliferation of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 cells.

Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is the standard for treatment of pancreatic cancer; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to gemcitabine commonly occurs. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), one of the characteristic features of tumor-initiating and/or cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, is important in both intrinsic and acquired resistance to gemcitabine. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of dasatinib, an SRC inhibitor, and gemcitabine combination to inhibit the survivals of parental (MIA PaCa-2/P) and gemcitabine-resistant (MIA PaCa-2/GR) cell lines. In MIA PaCa-2/GR cells, the levels of phospho-SRC and ALDH1A1 were increased compared to MIA PaCa-2/P cells. Inhibition of SRC by dasatinib or siRNA synergistically enhanced gemcitabine-induced anti-proliferative effects and induced apoptotic cell death in these cells. Furthermore, combination of SRC inhibition (either by dasatinib or siRNA) and gemcitabine significantly decreased the levels of ALDH1A1 expression. These results suggest that dasatinib and gemcitabine combination may be a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome gemcitabine resistance by decreasing the levels of ALDH1A1 expression.