A nontoxic strontium nanoparticle that holds the potential to act upon osteocompetent cells: An in vitro and in vivo characterization.

Estrogen deficiency, long-term immobilization, and/or aging are commonly related to bone mass loss, thus increasing the risk of fractures. One option for bone replacement in injuries caused by either traumas or pathologies is the use of orthopedic cement based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Nevertheless, its reduced bioactivity may induce long-term detachment from the host tissue, resulting in the failure of the implant. In view of this problem, we developed an alternative PMMA-based porous cement (pPMMA) that favors cell invasion and improves osteointegration with better biocompatibility. The cement composition was changed by adding bioactive strontium-nanoparticles that mimic the structure of bone apatite. The nanoparticles were characterized regarding their physical-chemical properties, and their effects on osteoblasts and osteoclast cultures were assessed. Initial in vivo tests were also performed using 16 New Zealand rabbits as animal models, in which the pPMMA-cement containing the strontium nanoparticles were implanted. We showed that the apatite nanoparticles in which 90% of Ca2+ ions were substituted by Sr2+ (NanoSr 90%) upregulated TNAP activity and increased matrix mineralization. Moreover, at the molecular level, NanoSr 90% upregulated the mRNA expression levels of, Sp7, and OCN. Runx2 was increased at both mRNA and protein levels. In parallel, in vivo tests revealed that pPMMA-cement containing NanoSr 90%, upregulated two markers of bone maturation, OCN and BMP2, as well as the formation of apatite minerals after implantation in the femur of rabbits. The overall data support that strontium nanoparticles hold the potential to up-regulate mineralization in osteoblasts when associated with synthetic biomaterials.

Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario.

Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.

A foretaste for pediatric glioblastoma therapy: targeting the NF-kB pathway with DHMEQ.

PURPOSE: While pediatric glioblastomas are molecularly distinct from adult counterparts, the activation of NF-kB is partially shared by both subsets, playing key roles in tumor propagation and treatment response. RESULTS: We show that, in vitro, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) impairs growth and invasiveness. Xenograft response to the drug alone varied according to the model, being more effective in KNS42-derived tumors. In combination, SF188-derived tumors were more sensitive to temozolomide while KNS42-derived tumors responded better to the combination with radiotherapy, with continued tumor regression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results strengthen the potential usefulness of NF-kB inhibition in future therapeutic strategies to overcome this incurable disease.

The Double Face of miR-708: A Pan-Cancer Player with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Over the last decades, accumulating evidence has shown tumor-dependent profiles of miR-708, being either up- or downregulated, and thus, acting as a "Janus" regulator of oncogenic pathways. Herein, its functional duality was assessed through a thorough review of the literature and further validation in silico using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. In the literature, miR-708 was found with an oncogenic role in eight tumor types, while a suppressor tumor role was described in seven cancers. This double profile was also found in TCGA and GEO databases, with some tumor types having a high expression of miR-708 and others with low expression compared with non-tumor counterparts. The investigation of validated targets using miRBase, miRTarBase, and miRecords platforms, identified a total of 572 genes that appeared enriched for PI3K-Akt signaling, followed by cell cycle control, p53, Apellin and Hippo signaling, endocrine resistance, focal adhesion, and cell senescence regulations, which are all recognized contributors of tumoral phenotypes. Among these targets, a set of 15 genes shared by at least two platforms was identified, most of which have important roles in cancer cells that influence either tumor suppression or progression. In a clinical scenario, miR-708 has shown to be a good diagnostic and prognosis marker. However, its multitarget nature and opposing roles in diverse human tumors, aligned with insufficient experimental data and the lack of proper delivery strategies, hamper its potential as a sequence-directed therapeutic.

Fabrication and characterization of a bioactive polymethylmethacrylate-based porous cement loaded with strontium/calcium apatite nanoparticles.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based cements are used for bone reparation due to their biocompatibility, suitable mechanical properties, and mouldability. However, these materials suffer from high exothermic polymerization and poor bioactivity, which can cause the formation of fibrous tissue around the implant and aseptic loosening. Herein, we tackled these problems by adding Sr2+ -substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (NPs) and a porogenic compound to the formulations, thus creating a microenvironment suitable for the proliferation of osteoblasts. The NPs resembled the structure of the bone's apatite and enabled the controlled release of Sr2+ . Trends in the X-ray patterns and infrared spectra confirmed that Sr2+ replaced Ca2+ in the whole composition range of the NPs. The inclusion of an effervescent additive reduced the polymerization temperature and lead to the formation of highly porous cement exhibiting mechanical properties comparable to the trabecular bone. The formation of an opened and interconnected matrix allowed osteoblasts to penetrate the cement structure. Most importantly, the gas formation confined the NPs at the surface of the pores, guaranteeing the controlled delivery of Sr2+ within a concentration sufficient to maintain osteoblast viability. Additionally, the cement was able to form apatite when immersed into simulated body fluids, further increasing its bioactivity. Therefore, we offer a formulation of PMMA cement with improved in vitro performance supported by enhanced bioactivity, increased osteoblast viability and deposition of mineralized matrix assigned to the loading with Sr2+ -substituted hydroxyapatite NPs and the creation of an interconnected porous structure. Altogether, our results hold promise for enhanced bone reparation guided by PMMA cements.

The multifaceted NF-kB: are there still prospects of its inhibition for clinical intervention in pediatric central nervous system tumors?

Despite advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the basic biology and pathogenesis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, patients still have an extremely unfavorable prognosis. Over the years, a plethora of natural and synthetic compounds has emerged for the pharmacologic intervention of the NF-kB pathway, one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling cascades in human cancer with key roles in cell growth, survival, and therapy resistance. Here, we provide a review about the state-of-the-art concerning the dysregulation of this hub transcription factor in the most prevalent pediatric CNS tumors: glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Moreover, we compile the available literature on the anti-proliferative effects of varied NF-kB inhibitors acting alone or in combination with other therapies in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. As the wealth of basic research data continues to accumulate, recognizing NF-kB as a therapeutic target may provide important insights to treat these diseases, hopefully contributing to increase cure rates and lower side effects related to therapy.

Crosstalk between hnRNP K and SET in ATRA-induced differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

HnRNP K protein is a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein which has been proposed to be involved in the leukemogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), as well as in differentiation induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We previously demonstrated a connection between SET and hnRNP K function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells related to splicing processing. The objective of this study was to characterize the participation of hnRNP K and SET proteins in ATRA-induced differentiation in APL. We observed higher (5- to 40-fold) levels of hnRNP K and SET mRNA in APL patients at the diagnosis phase compared with induction and maintenance phases. hnRNP K knockdown using short-hairpin RNA led to cell death in ATRA-sensitive NB4 and resistant NB4-R2 cells by apoptosis with SET cleavage. In addition, hnRNP K knockdown increased granulocytic differentiation in APL cells, mainly in NB4-R2 with ATRA. hnRNP K knockdown had an effect similar to that of treatment with U0126 (an meiosis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase/ERK inhibitor), mainly in NB4-R2 cells. SET knockdown in APL cells revealed that apoptosis induction in cells with hnRNP K knockdown occurred by SET cleavage rather than by reduction in SET protein. Transplantation of NB4-R2 cells into nude mice confirmed that arsenic trioxide (ATO) combined with U0126 has higher potential against tumor progression when compared to ATO. Therefore, hnRNP K/SET and ERK are potential therapeutic targets for both antineoplastic leukemia therapy and relapsed APL patients with ATRA resistance.

Perillyl alcohol for pediatric TP53- and RAS-mutated SHH-medulloblastoma: an in vitro and in vivo translational pre-clinical study.

PURPOSE: Inhalation of perillyl alcohol (POH) recently emerged as an investigational promising antiglioma strategy. However, little attention has been paid to its therapeutic potential for other brain tumors, especially in the pediatric setting. METHODS: The effects of POH were explored in medulloblastoma cell models belonging to the SHH variant with activation of RAS (ONS-76) or with TP53 mutations (DAOY and UW402), by means of proliferation and invasion assays. Interactions with methotrexate, thiotepa, or ionizing radiation were also assessed. Mice bearing subcutaneous tumors were treated with intraperitoneal injections. Alternatively, animals with intracranial tumors were exposed to intranasal POH alone or combined with radiation. Tumor growth was measured by bioluminescence. Analyses of cytotoxicity to the nasal cavity were also performed, and the presence of POH in the brain, lungs, and plasma was surveyed through chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: POH decreased cell proliferation and colony formation, with conspicuous death, though the invasive capacity was only affected in the NRAS-mutated cell line. Median-drug effect analysis displayed synergistic combinations with methotrexate. Otherwise, POH showed to be a reasonable radiosensitizer. In vivo, intraperitoneal injection significantly decreased tumor volume. However, its inhalation did not affect orthotopic tumors, neither alone or followed by cranial irradiation. Nasal cavity epithelium showed unimportant alterations, though, no traces of POH or its metabolites were detected in tissue samples. CONCLUSION: POH presents robust in vitro antimedulloblastoma effects and sensitizes cell lines to other conventional therapeutics, reducing tumor volume when administered intraperitoneally. Nevertheless, further improvement of delivery devices and/or drug formulations are needed to better characterize its effectiveness through inhalation.

A coordinated approach for the assessment of molecular subgroups in pediatric ependymomas using low-cost methods.

Although ependymoma (EPN) molecular subgroups have been well established by integrated high-throughput platforms, low- and middle-income countries still need low-cost techniques to promptly classify these molecular subtypes. Here, we applied low-cost methods to classify EPNs from a Brazilian cohort with 60 pediatric EPN patients. Fusion transcripts (C11orf95-RELA, YAP1-MAMLD1, and YAP1-FAM118B) were investigated in supratentorial EPN (ST-EPNs) samples through RT-PCR/Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p65/L1CAM. qRT-PCR and IHC were used to evaluate expression profiling of CXorf67, LAMA2, NELL2, and H3K27me3 in posterior fossa EPN (PF-EPNs) samples. In silico analysis was performed using public microarray data to validate the molecular assignment PF-EPNs with LAMA2/NELL2 markers. RELA cases and YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions were identified in nine and four ST-EPNs, respectively. An additional RELA case was identified by IHC. Of note, LAMA2 and NELL2 gene expression and immunoprofiling were less accurate for classifying PF-EPNs, which were confirmed by in silico analysis. Yet, H3K27me3 staining was sufficient to classify PF-EPN subgroups. Our results emphasize the feasibility of a simplified strategy to molecularly classify EPNs in the vast majority of cases (49/60; 81.7%). A coordinated combination of simple methods can be effective to screen pediatric EPN with the available laboratory resources at most low-/mid-income countries, giving support for clinical practice in pediatric EPN. KEY MESSAGES: Low- and middle-income countries need effective low-cost approaches to promptly distinguish between EPN molecular subgroups. RT-PCR plus Sanger sequencing is able to recognize the most common types of RELA and YAP1 fusion transcripts in ST-EPNs. Genetic and protein expressions of LAMA2 and NELL2 are of limited value to accurately stratify PF-EPNs. Immunohistochemical staining for H3K27me3 may be used as a robust method to accurately diagnose PF-EPNs subgroups. A coordinated flow diagram based on these validated low-cost methods is proposed to help clinical-decision making and to reduce costs with NGS assessment outside research protocols.

Should we keep rocking? Portraits from targeting Rho kinases in cancer.

Cancer targeted therapy, either alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, could allow the survival of patients with neoplasms currently considered incurable. In recent years, the dysregulation of the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2) has been associated with increased metastasis and poorer patient survival in several tumor types, and due to their essential roles in regulating the cytoskeleton, have gained popularity and progressively been researched as targets for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. Nevertheless, in a pediatric scenario, the influence of both isoforms on prognosis remains a controversial issue. In this review, we summarize the functions of ROCKs, compile their roles in human cancer and their value as prognostic factors in both, adult and pediatric cancer. Moreover, we provide the up-to-date advances on their pharmacological inhibition in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. Alternatively, we highlight and discuss detrimental effects of ROCK inhibition provoked not only by the action on off-targets, but most importantly, by pro-survival effects on cancer stem cells, dormant cells, and circulating tumor cells, along with cell-context or microenvironment-dependent contradictory responses. Together these drawbacks represent a risk for cancer cell dissemination and metastasis after anti-ROCK intervention, a caveat that should concern scientists and clinicians.

NF-кB inhibition by DHMEQ: in vitro antiproliferative effects on pilocytic astrocytoma and concise review of the current literature.

INTRODUCTION: Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common brain tumor that affects the pediatric population. Even though PA is benign and treatment only involves surgery, recurrent or unresectable tumors require chemo- and radiotherapy. Besides BRAF, CDKN2A, or IDH mutations, the hyperactivation of the nuclear factor NF-κB contributes to tumor growth and survival. METHODS: In the present study, we used publicly available data for the in silico analysis of NF-κB subunits (RELA, RELB, REL, NF-κB1, and NF-κB2) expression in PA samples. Besides, in vitro assays were performed to evaluate proliferation, migration, cell death, on the PA cell line Res286 comparing to human primary astrocytes. Sensitization to radiation therapy and temozolomide (TMZ) was also assayed. RESULTS: Our results showed that all the members of the NF-kB family are upregulated in PA datasets compared to normal brain tissues. Moreover, DHMEQ treatment significantly reduced cell growth and motility, while sensitized cells to ionizing radiation and TMZ, as previously seen in high-grade gliomas. CONCLUSIONS: This drug presents a potential application in clinical practice for the treatment of recurrent or inoperable PA. Moreover, its use might assist adjuvant chemotherapy and reduce irradiation doses to avoid toxicity to the surrounding tissues.

microRNA-138-5p as a Worse Prognosis Biomarker in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor with two peaks of incidence, in early adolescence and the elderly. Patients affected with this malignancy often present metastatic disease at diagnosis, and despite multimodality therapy, survival has not improved substantially over the past 3 decades. Recently, miR-138-5p, proposed as a crucial intracellular mediator of invasion, has been recognized to target the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2). Dysregulation of ROCK1 and ROCK2 was also described in OS, being associated to higher metastasis incidence and worse prognosis. Nonetheless, the specific roles of miR-138-5p in pediatric and young adult OS and its ability to modulate these kinases remain to be established. Thus, in the present study, the expression levels miR-138-5p were evaluated in a consecutive cohort of exclusively pediatric and young adult primary OS samples. In contrast to previous reports that included adult tissues, our results showed upregulation of miR-138-5p associated with reduced event-free survival and relapsed cases. In parallel, ROCK1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in tumor samples and negatively correlated with miR-138-5p. Similar correlations were observed after studying the profiles of ROCK1 and ROCK2 by immunohistochemistry. Our data present miR-138-5p as a consistent prognostic factor in pediatric and young adult OS, reinforcing its participation in the post-transcriptional regulation of ROCK kinases.

ROCK1-PredictedmicroRNAs Dysregulation Contributes to Tumor Progression in Ewing Sarcoma.

Over the last decade, the rho-associated kinases and several metastasis-associated microRNAs have emerged as important contributors of tumor invasion. However, despite prominence, our understanding of their involvement in the metastatic potential of Ewing Sarcoma (EWS) is incomplete. The expression profiles of ROCK1 or ROCK2 and miR-124-3p, miR-138-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-335-5p and miR-584-5p (all of which were previously predicted or validated to regulate these kinases) were evaluated through qRT-PCR and associated with clinical parameters. In vitro assays to evaluate colony formation and invasion/migration capacieties were performed on SK-ES-1 cells transfected with pre-miR mimics. ROCK1 expression was significantly reduced in EWS tissues, though there was no association with pathological parameters. miR-124-3p, miR-139-5p and miR-335-3p were also found significantly downregulated and positively correlated with ROCK1. Stratification indicated an association between lower levels of miR-139-5p and miR-584-5p with disease progression (p < 0.05), while reduced expression of the former and miR-124-3p were associated with reduced survival. In vitro miR-139-5p overexpression yielded inconsistent results: while mir-139-5p restoration significantly reduced invasion, the clonogenic capacity of cells was increased. Our study demonstrated that down-regulation of miR-124-3p, miR-139-5p and miR-584-5p are associated with disease progression in EWS and may serve as a risk assessment biomarkers though, as seen for mir-139-5p, their specific role remain to be elucidated for considering tailoring treatment options.

Interplay between the RNA binding-protein Musashi and developmental signaling pathways.

Musashi comprises an evolutionarily conserved family of RNA-binding proteins (RBP) that regulate cell fate decisions during embryonic development and play key roles in the maintenance of self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells and adult tissues. More recently, several studies have shown that any dysregulation of MSI1 and MSI2 can lead to cellular dysfunctions promoting tissue instability and tumorigenesis. Moreover, several reports have characterized many molecular interactions between members of the Musashi family with ligands and receptors of the signaling pathways responsible for controlling normal embryonic development: Notch, Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-ß), Wingless (Wnt) and Hedgehog Signaling (Hh); all of which, when altered, are strongly associated with cancer onset and progression, especially in pediatric tumors. In this context, the present review aims to compile possible cross-talks between Musashi proteins and members of the above cited molecular pathways for which dysregulation plays important roles during carcinogenesis and may be modulated by these RBP.

MicroRNA dysregulation interplay with childhood abdominal tumors.

Abdominal tumors (AT) in children account for approximately 17% of all pediatric solid tumor cases, and frequently exhibit embryonal histological features that differentiate them from adult cancers. Current molecular approaches have greatly improved the understanding of the distinctive pathology of each tumor type and enabled the characterization of novel tumor biomarkers. As seen in abdominal adult tumors, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly implicated in either the initiation or progression of childhood cancer. Moreover, besides predicting patient prognosis, they represent valuable diagnostic tools that may also assist the surveillance of tumor behavior and treatment response, as well as the identification of the primary metastatic sites. Thus, the present study was undertaken to compile up-to-date information regarding the role of dysregulated miRNAs in the most common histological variants of AT, including neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, hepatocarcinoma, and adrenal tumors. Additionally, the clinical implications of dysregulated miRNAs as potential diagnostic tools or indicators of prognosis were evaluated.

Aberrantly expressed microRNAs and their implications in childhood central nervous system tumors.

Even though the treatment of childhood cancer has evolved significantly in recent decades, aggressive central nervous system (CNS) tumors are still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Consequently, the identification of molecular targets that can be incorporated into diagnostic practice, effectively predict prognosis, follow treatment response, and materialize into potential targeted therapeutic approaches are still warranted. Since the first evidence of the participation of miRNAs in cancer development and progression 20 years ago, notable progress has been made in the basic understanding of the contribution of their dysregulation as epigenetic driver of tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, among the plethora of articles in the literature, microRNA profiling of pediatric tumors are scarce. This article gives an overview of the recent advances in the diagnostic/prognostic potential of miRNAs in a selection of pediatric CNS tumors: medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, glioblastoma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, and choroid plexus tumors.

Standardization of a resazurin-based assay for the evaluation of metabolic activity in oral squamous carcinoma and glioblastoma cells.

The widely accepted resazurin-based assay can be used, prior to in vivo studies, as an inexpensive method to determine cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate and standardize the assay conditions for oral squamous cancer cell (OSCC) and glioblastoma (U87-MG) lines by UV-vis spectroscopy. The cells were treated with 25 µgmL-1 of resazurin sodium salt and then incubated for 4 h, 6 h, and 6.5 h. All absorbance measurements were carried out at 21 ± 1 °C on a spectrophotometer with a microplate reader. After 4-hs of incubation, resazurin was completely reduced by OSCC cells, as demonstrated by the suppression of the absorbance at 380 nm. However, the U87-MG cells needed 6.5 h of incubation to demonstrate the same behavior. The Statistical analysis did not indicate significant differences between the OSCC and U87-MG cell lines' viability after 4 and 6.5 h respectively. We concluded that spectroscopic analysis is an efficient method for the standardization of the resazurin assay. In addition, without the implementation of suitable protocols, there could be an increase in the chance of errors or false positives or negatives that would reduce the usefulness of the data.

MiR-708-5p is inversely associated with EWS/FLI1 Ewing sarcoma but does not represent a prognostic predictor.

BACKGROUND: Overall survival of Ewing sarcoma (EWS) remains poor and less than 30% of patients with metastatic or recurrent disease survive despite current treatments. Thus, there is a constant search for new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of therapy. Numerous studies have reported the abnormal expression of miR-708-5p in tumors of different origins. However, its role in EWS remains unclear. PROCEDURE: qRT-PCR was performed in nineteen consecutive EWS samples and twelve non-tumor bone samples from age-matched controls. Functional assays were performed in SK-ES-1 cells transfected with miR-708 lentiviral-based vectors and results analyzed in terms of clonogenicity, migration, invasion and western blot. RESULTS: We show that miR-708-5p is downregulated in EWS tissues though no associations with any prognostic features such as HUVOS grade, event or survival were found in our cohort. Nonetheless, expression levels of this micro-RNA were inversely associated with the presence of the EWS/FLI1 translocation. When miR-708-5p was transfected into the SK-ES-1 cell line, it did not affect migration or clonogenicity, but promoted a significant increase on the invasive potential of cells endorsed with high expression of MMP2. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results suggest that despite downregulated in EWS samples, this miRNA might represent a secondary genetic alteration derived from the pleiotropic cellular effects of the abnormal EWS/FLI1 transcription factor that does not affect tumor growth but instead, is related with the promotion of tumor invasion, not being suitable for future therapeutic intervention.