Opportunities For Anticancer Therapy Research Articles

Metal complexes induced ferroptosis for anticancer therapy

Metal complexes for anti-tumor treatment have been developed rapidly in recent decades since the application of cisplatin in clinics. However, some tumor cells are resistant to apoptosis and not sensitive to metallodrugs that function through the apoptotic pathway. Recently, metal complexes have been reported to cause ferroptosis against tumor cells, which offers new opportunities for anticancer therapy. In this perspective, ferroptosis-inducing metal complexes and their working mechanisms are introduced, while the challenges and opportunities are also discussed.

Investigation of phytochemical profile and in vivo anti-proliferative effect of Laetiporus versisporus (Lloyd) Imazeki mushroom against diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

The purpose of the study is to explore the bioactive compounds present in Laetiporus versisporus (LVEE) Lloyd Imazeki ethanolic extract and its anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by DEN in rats. The bioactive compounds present in the LVEE was analyzed by GC–MS. The anticancer activity of LVEE was analyzed with the DEN induced rats were orally treated with LVEE (250 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg) to the respective treatment groups for 45 days. The levels of tissue markers, phase-I metabolizing enzymes was measured calorimetrically. ELISA was used to determine the level of AFP and CEA. The expression of apoptotic genes Bcl-2, p53, caspase 3 and caspase 9 was assessed by real time RT-PCR. Results of the phytochemical screening analysis showed that 12 bioactive molecules were existing in LVEE. Results of pharmacodynamics analysis showed that the 45 days of treatment with LVEE and cyclophosphamide (CPA) therapy significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of MDA, AFP, CEA, cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5, and increased levels of tissue markers and bilirubin in serum. The findings of RT-PCR analysis showed that the LVEE and CPA were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated the pro-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and upregulated the p53, caspase 3 and caspase 9 mRNA expression through mechanisms involved in promoting the cell apoptosis, and preserving the functional integrity of the liver membrane. L. versisporus (LV) can be considered as new anticancer agent that offers new opportunities for anticancer therapy.

Molecular features of ascitic ovarian cancer cells detected by immunofluorescence assay using flow cytometry

Peritoneal dissemination and growth of tumor cells in the ascitic fluid in stages III and IV of recurrent ovarian cancer is difficult to treat; resistance to many anticancer drugs used in the treatment of solid ovarian cancer is observed at this stage. The author’s hypothesis that the differences in the molecular phenotype of tumor cells for various types of the disease could be an explanation for this. A comparative evaluation of the expression and coexpression of a number of molecular markers (immunofluorescence assay with flow cytometry) was performed using solid and ascitic ovarian cancer cells. In contrast to solid ovarian cancer, ascitic ovarian cancer cells present leukocyte common antigen CD45 and mesenchymal marker vimentin in addition to epithelial marker cytokeratin. In addition to the inhibition of anoikis (specific mechanism of epithelial cell death in a liquid medium in the absence of contact with the substrate), ascitic ovarian cancer cells are characterized by (1) emperipolesis (intracellular migration of leukocytes without damage to the tumor cell), and (2) phenotype of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, the data on clinically significant molecular differences between solid and recurrent ascitic ovarian cancer was first obtained, opening up opportunities for anticancer therapy, which previously was not used in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Thyroid tumor-initiating cells: Increasing evidence and opportunities for anticancer therapy (Review)

Accumulating evidence supports the notion that thyroid cancer is initiated by tumor-initiating cells (TICs) (commonly known as cancer stem cells), which are thought to play a crucial role in malignant progression, therapeutic resistance and recurrence. Thyroid TICs have been isolated and identified using specific biomarkers (such as CD133), the side population, sphere formation and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity assays. Although their characteristics remain largely unknown, TICs provide an attractive cellular mechanism to explain therapeutic refractoriness. Efforts are currently being directed toward the identification of therapeutic strategies that could target these cells. The present review discusses the cellular origins of TICs and the main approaches used to isolate and identify thyroid TICs, with a focus on the remaining challenges and opportunities for anticancer therapy.