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Abstract The transplantation of human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs) has potential as a curative and permanent therapy for congenital skeletal diseases. However, the self-renewal and differentiation capacities of hMSCs markedly vary. Therefore, cell proliferation and trilineage differentiation capacities were tested in vitro to characterize hMSCs before their clinical use. However, it remains unclear whether the ability of hMSCs in vitro accurately predicts that in living animals. The xenograft model is an alternative method for validating clinical MSCs. Nevertheless, the protocol still needs refinement, and it has yet to be established whether hMSCs, which are expanded in culture for clinical use, retain the ability to engraft and differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineage cells in transplantation settings. In the present study, to establish a robust xenograft model of MSCs, we examined the delivery routes of hMSCs and the immunological state of recipients. The intra-arterial injection of hMSCs into X-ray-irradiated (IR) NOG, a severely immunodeficient mouse, achieved the highest engraftment but failed to sustain long-term engraftment. We demonstrated that graft cells localized to a collagenase-released fraction (CR), in which endogenous colony-forming cells reside. We also showed that Pdgfrα+Sca1+ MSCs (PαS), which reside in the CR fraction, resisted IR. These results show that our protocol enables hMSCs to fulfill a high level of engraftment in mouse bone marrow in the short term. In contrast, long-term reconstitution was restricted, at least partially, because of IR-resistant endogenous MSCs.

This study investigated the impact of Valencia KK4-type peanut skin ethanolic extract (KK4-PSE) combined with cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on HeLa cells in vitro and in xenograft models. At exposure times of 24, 48 and 72 h, KK4-PSE inhibited the growth of HeLa cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 79.43 ± 0.54, 55.55 ± 1.57 and 41.32 ± 0.74 µg/mL, respectively. Drug interactions evaluated by the Chou–Talalay method demonstrated that KK4-PSE enhanced antiproliferative activity of 5-FU against HeLa cells with combination index (CI) values of 0.49 (48 h) and 0.60 (72 h), indicating a synergistic effect, while KK4-PSE combined with cisplatin exhibited an additive effect (CI = 1.02) at 72 h, and an antagonistic effect at 24 and 48 h exposures (CI = 1.12 and 1.18, respectively). In nude mouse xenograft models, the combination of 5-FU and KK4-PSE markedly reduced HeLa tumor weights compared with the control and single agent treatments groups. The combination of KK4-PSE and 5-FU achieved greater tumor growth inhibition than that of the KK4-PSE–cisplatin combination. KK4-PSE mitigated hepatotoxicity induced by both cisplatin and 5-FU in nude mice. The spleen hyaloserositis was significantly reduced in the combination treatment of 5-FU and KK4-PSE. These results suggest that KK4-PSE has the potential to limit cervical cancer cell proliferation while reducing the toxicity of cisplatin and 5-FU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which shows unparalleled therapeutic resistance due to its genetic and cellular heterogeneity, dense stromal tissue, and immune‐suppressive tumour microenvironment. Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a new treatment modality which uses tumour‐specific viruses to eliminate cancerous cells. Non‐human primate adenoviruses of the human adenovirus B (HAdV‐B) species have demonstrated considerable lytic potential in human cancer cells as well as limited preexisting neutralizing immunity in humans. Previously, we have generated a new oncolytic derivative of the gorilla‐derived HAdV‐B AdV‐lumc007 named ‘GoraVir’. Here, we show that GoraVir displays oncolytic efficacy in pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic‐cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Moreover, it retains its lytic potential in monoculture and co‐culture spheroids. In addition, we established the ubiquitously expressed complement receptor CD46 as the main entry receptor for GoraVir. Finally, a single intratumoural dose of GoraVir was shown to delay tumour growth in a BxPC‐3 xenograft model at 10 days post‐treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the new gorilla‐derived oncolytic adenovirus is a potent oncolytic vector candidate that targets both pancreatic cancer cells and tumour‐adjacent stroma.

Abstract Background Glioblastoma (GBM) presents as an aggressive brain cancer, notorious for its recurrence and resistance to conventional treatments. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the EMulate Therapeutics Voyager®, a non-invasive, non-thermal, non-ionizing, battery-operated, portable experimental medical device, in treating GBM. Using ultra-low radiofrequency energy (ulRFE) to modulate intracellular activity, previous preliminary results in patients have been encouraging. Now, with a focus on murine models, our investigation seeks to elucidate the device's mechanistic impacts, further optimizing its therapeutic potential and understanding its limitations. Methods The device employs a silicone over molded coil to deliver oscillating magnetic fields, which are believed to interact with and disrupt cellular targets. These fields are derived from the magnetic fluctuations of solvated molecules. Xenograft and syngeneic murine models were chosen for the study. Mice were injected with U-87 MG or GL261 glioma cells in their flanks and were subsequently treated with one of two ulRFE cognates: A1A, inspired by paclitaxel, or A2, based on murine siRNA targeting CTLA4 + PD1. A separate group of untreated mice was maintained as controls. Results Mice that underwent treatments with either A1A or A2 exhibited significantly reduced tumor sizes when compared to the untreated cohort. Conclusion The EMulate Therapeutics Voyager® demonstrates promising potential in inhibiting glioma cells in vivo through its unique ulRFE technology and should be further studied in terms of biological effects in vitro and in vivo.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a very aggressive and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. The multifaceted nature of GBM pathogenesis, rising from complex interactions between cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), has posed great treatment challenges. Despite significant scientific efforts, the prognosis for GBM remains very poor, even after intensive treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Efficient GBM management still requires the invention of innovative treatment strategies. There is a strong necessity to complete cancer in vitro studies and in vivo studies to properly evaluate the mechanisms of tumor progression within the complex TME. In recent years, the animal models used to study GBM tumors have evolved, achieving highly invasive GBM models able to provide key information on the molecular mechanisms of GBM onset. At present, the most commonly used animal models in GBM research are represented by mammalian models, such as mouse and canine ones. However, the latter present several limitations, such as high cost and time-consuming management, making them inappropriate for large-scale anticancer drug evaluation. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has emerged as a valuable tool for studying GBM. It has shown great promise in preclinical studies due to numerous advantages, such as its small size, its ability to generate a large cohort of genetically identical offspring, and its rapid development, permitting more time- and cost-effective management and high-throughput drug screening when compared to mammalian models. Moreover, due to its transparent nature in early developmental stages and genetic and anatomical similarities with humans, it allows for translatable brain cancer research and related genetic screening and drug discovery. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to highlight the potential of relevant transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models and to compare them to the traditionally used animal models in GBM research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advanced gastric cancer (GC) has a poor prognosis. This study aimed to identify novel GC-related genes as potential therapeutic targets. Methods: Killer cell lectin-like receptor G2 (KLRG2) was identified as a candidate gene by transcriptome analysis of metastatic GC tissues. Small interfering RNA-mediated KLRG2 knockdown in human GC cell lines was used to investigate KLRG2 involvement in signaling pathways and functional behaviors in vitro and in vivo. Clinicopathological data were analyzed in patients stratified according to tumor KLRG2 mRNA expression. Results: KLRG2 knockdown in GC cells decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; caused cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase; induced apoptosis via caspase activation; suppressed JAK/STAT and MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway activities; and upregulated p53 and p38 MAPK activities. In mouse xenograft models of peritoneal metastasis, the number and weight of disseminated GC nodules were decreased by KLRG2 knockdown. High tumor levels of KLRG2 mRNA were significantly associated with lower 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates in patients with Stage I–III GC (5-year OS rate: 64.4% vs. 80.0%, P = 0.009; 5-year RFS rate: 62.8% vs. 78.1%, P = 0.030). Conclusions: KLRG2 knockdown attenuated the malignant phenotypes of GC cells via downregulation of JAK/STAT and MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway activity and upregulation of p38 MAPK and p53. Targeted suppression of KLRG2 may serve as a new treatment approach for GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy which shows unparalleled therapeutic resistance due to its genetic and cellular heterogeneity, dense stromal tissue, and immune‐suppressive tumour microenvironment. Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a new treatment modality which uses tumour‐specific viruses to eliminate cancerous cells. Non‐human primate adenoviruses of the human adenovirus B (HAdV‐B) species have demonstrated considerable lytic potential in human cancer cells as well as limited preexisting neutralizing immunity in humans. Previously, we have generated a new oncolytic derivative of the gorilla‐derived HAdV‐B AdV‐lumc007 named 'GoraVir'. Here, we show that GoraVir displays oncolytic efficacy in pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic‐cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Moreover, it retains its lytic potential in monoculture and co‐culture spheroids. In addition, we established the ubiquitously expressed complement receptor CD46 as the main entry receptor for GoraVir. Finally, a single intratumoural dose of GoraVir was shown to delay tumour growth in a BxPC‐3 xenograft model at 10 days post‐treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the new gorilla‐derived oncolytic adenovirus is a potent oncolytic vector candidate that targets both pancreatic cancer cells and tumour‐adjacent stroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) presents as an aggressive brain cancer, notorious for its recurrence and resistance to conventional treatments. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the EMulate Therapeutics Voyager®, a non-invasive, non-thermal, non-ionizing, battery-operated, portable experimental medical device, in treating GBM. Using ultra-low radiofrequency energy (ulRFE) to modulate intracellular activity, previous preliminary results in patients have been encouraging. Now, with a focus on murine models, our investigation seeks to elucidate the device's mechanistic impacts, further optimizing its therapeutic potential and understanding its limitations. Methods: The device employs a silicone over molded coil to deliver oscillating magnetic fields, which are believed to interact with and disrupt cellular targets. These fields are derived from the magnetic fluctuations of solvated molecules. Xenograft and syngeneic murine models were chosen for the study. Mice were injected with U-87 MG or GL261 glioma cells in their flanks and were subsequently treated with one of two ulRFE cognates: A1A, inspired by paclitaxel, or A2, based on murine siRNA targeting CTLA4 + PD1. A separate group of untreated mice was maintained as controls. Results: Mice that underwent treatments with either A1A or A2 exhibited significantly reduced tumor sizes when compared to the untreated cohort. Conclusion: The EMulate Therapeutics Voyager® demonstrates promising potential in inhibiting glioma cells in vivo through its unique ulRFE technology and should be further studied in terms of biological effects in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly cancer. More and more long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have received confirmation to be dysregulated in tumors and exert the regulatory function. Studies have suggested that lncRNA insulin-like growth factor 2 antisense RNA (IGF2-AS) participates in the development of some cancers. Thus, we attempted to clarify its function in pancreatic cancer. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied for testing IGF2-AS expression in pancreatic cancer cells. Colony formation and Transwell wound experiments were applied for determining cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities. The alteration of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene level was tested via western blot. The mice model was established for measuring the tumor growth and metastasis. RIP validated the interaction of RNAs. IGF2-AS displays high expression in pancreatic cancer cells. IGF2-AS depletion repressed PC cell proliferative, migratory, invasive capabilities, and EMT process. Furthermore, pancreatic cancer tumor growth and metastasis were also inhibited by IGF2-AS depletion. Additionally, IGF2-AS positively regulated IGF2 level via recruiting HNRNPC. IGF2 overexpression counteracted the functions of IGF2-AS deficiency on pancreatic cancer cell behaviors. Moreover, IGF2R deletion was found to inhibit the positive effect of IGF2 on pancreatic cancer progression. IGF2-AS potentiates pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, and metastasis by recruiting HNRNPC via the IGF2-IGF2R regulatory pathway. These discoveries might offer a novel insight for treatment of PC, which may facilitate targeted therapies of PC in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to a variety of cancers, among which skin cancer is the most prevalent form. However, the mechanism underlying arsenic carcinogenesis is unclear, and there is still limited information on the role of miRNAs in arsenic-induced skin cancer. This study aims to explore the role of miR-96-5p in the arsenite-induced proliferation and malignant transformation of human HaCaT keratinocytes. The GEO database (accession numbers GSE97303, GSE97305, and GSE97306) was used to extract mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of HaCaT cells treated with or without 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 3 and 7 weeks. In this paper, according to the CCK8 assay result, HaCaT cells exposed to 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 48 h were finalized. CCK8, MTT, EdU incorporation, and colony formation assays were used to determine the viability and proliferation of HaCaT cells and transformed HaCaT (T-HaCaT) cells. The subcellular localization and relative expression levels of DTL, as well as miR-96-5p in HaCaT cells induced by arsenite, were determined via immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify miR-96-5p bound directly to DTL. Transfection of miR-96-5p mimics or DTL siRNA was conducted to verify the arsenite-induced viability of HaCaT cells and T-HaCaT cells. T-HaCaT cells and nude mice were used to construct arsenite-induced malignant transformation and an in vivo xenograft model to demonstrate the over-expressed effect of miR-96-5p. The results showed that DTL was the target gene of miR-96-5p. Meanwhile, we also found that 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite upregulated DTL by decreasing the miR-96-5p level, leading to the proliferation and malignant transformation of HaCaT cells. MiR-96-5p agomir treatment slowed the growth of transplanted HaCaT cells transformed by arsenite in a manner associated with DTL downregulation in the nude mice xenograft model. Taken together, we confirmed that miR-96-5p, as a potent regulator of DTL, suppressed arsenite-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and malignant transformation, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of arsenic-induced skin cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) is of great value in tumorigenesis progression. However, the mechanism of circFNDC3B in ESCC remains to be clarified. Methods Firstly, the circular characteristics of circFNDC3B were evaluated by Actinomycin D and RNase R measurements. The functions of circFNDC3B in ESCC cells were examined by CCK-8, EdU and flow cytometry. Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of circFNDC3B was explained using luciferase reporter gene detection. Finally, we constructed xenograft model to prove the role of circFNDC3B in vivo. Results Our study revealed that circFNDC3B was more stable than its linear RNA and prominently upregulated in ESCC. Functional findings suggested that silencing of circFNDC3B reduced the proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of ESCC cells in vitro. Meanwhile, knockdown of circFNDC3B attenuated tumor progression in vivo. Next, miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p was discovered to bind circFNDC3B. miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p reversed the promotive effect on cell proliferation and the inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis of circFNDC3B. MYO5A was a downstream target of miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p. CircFNDC3B served as a sponge for miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p and alleviated the prohibitory effect of miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p on MYO5A, which accelerated ESCC progression. Conclusion circFNDC3B positively adjusted the MYO5A expression via spongy miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p, hence achieving the cancer-promoting effect on ESCC. circFNDC3B was a prospective diagnosis marker for ESCC.

This study investigated the impact of Valencia KK4-type peanut skin ethanolic extract (KK4-PSE) combined with cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on HeLa cells in vitro and in xenograft models. At exposure times of 24, 48 and 72 h, KK4-PSE inhibited the growth of HeLa cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 79.43 ± 0.54, 55.55 ± 1.57 and 41.32 ± 0.74 µg/mL, respectively. Drug interactions evaluated by the Chou–Talalay method demonstrated that KK4-PSE enhanced antiproliferative activity of 5-FU against HeLa cells with combination index (CI) values of 0.49 (48 h) and 0.60 (72 h), indicating a synergistic effect, while KK4-PSE combined with cisplatin exhibited an additive effect (CI = 1.02) at 72 h, and an antagonistic effect at 24 and 48 h exposures (CI = 1.12 and 1.18, respectively). In nude mouse xenograft models, the combination of 5-FU and KK4-PSE markedly reduced HeLa tumor weights compared with the control and single agent treatments groups. The combination of KK4-PSE and 5-FU achieved greater tumor growth inhibition than that of the KK4-PSE–cisplatin combination. KK4-PSE mitigated hepatotoxicity induced by both cisplatin and 5-FU in nude mice. The spleen hyaloserositis was significantly reduced in the combination treatment of 5-FU and KK4-PSE. These results suggest that KK4-PSE has the potential to limit cervical cancer cell proliferation while reducing the toxicity of cisplatin and 5-FU.

ABSTRACTMesothelin (MSLN) is an attractive immuno-oncology target, but the development of MSLN-targeting therapies has been impeded by tumor shedding of soluble MSLN (sMSLN), on-target off-tumor activity, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We sought to engineer an antibody-based, MSLN-targeted T-cell engager (αMSLN/αCD3) with enhanced ability to discriminate high MSLN-expressing tumors from normal tissue, and activity in the presence of sMSLN. We also studied the in vivo antitumor efficacy of this molecule (NM28-2746) alone and in combination with the multifunctional checkpoint inhibitor/T-cell co-activator NM21-1480 (αPD-L1/α4-1BB). Cytotoxicity and T-cell activation induced by NM28-2746 were studied in co-cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cell lines exhibiting different levels of MSLN expression, including in the presence of soluble MSLN. Xenotransplant models of human pancreatic cancer were used to study the inhibition of tumor growth and stimulation of T-cell infiltration into tumors induced by NM28-2746 alone and in combination with NM21-1480. The bivalent αMSLN T-cell engager NM28-2746 potently induced T-cell activation and T-cell mediated cytotoxicity of high MSLN-expressing cells but had much lower potency against low MSLN-expressing cells. A monovalent counterpart of NM28-2746 had much lower ability to discriminate high MSLN-expressing from low MSLN-expressing cells. The bivalent molecule retained this discriminant ability in the presence of high concentrations of sMSLN. In xenograft models, NM28-2746 exhibited significant tumor suppressing activity, which was significantly enhanced by combination therapy with NM21-1480. NM28-2746, alone or in combination with NM21-1480, may overcome shortcomings of previous MSLN-targeted immuno-oncology drugs, exhibiting enhanced discrimination of high MSLN-expressing cell activity in the presence of sMSLN.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a devastating plasma cell malignancy characterized by the expansion of aberrant monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to severe clinical manifestations and poor prognosis, particularly in relapsed/ refractory cases. Identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve treatment outcomes in these patients. In this study, we investigated the role of the protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in MM pathogenesis and explored its potential as a therapeutic target. We observed that PRMT1, responsible for most asymmetric di-methylation in cells, exhibited the highest expression among PRMT family members in MM cell lines and primary MM cells. Importantly, PRMT1 expression was significantly elevated in relapsed/refractory patients compared to newly diagnosed patients. High expression of PRMT1 expression was strongly associated with poor prognosis. We found that genetic or enzymatic inhibition of PRMT1 impaired MM cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest, and triggered cell death. Treatment with MS023, a potent PRMT type I inhibitor, demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on the viability of primary cells isolated from newly diagnosed and proteasome inhibitor-relapsed/ refractory patients in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression of PRMT1 downregulated genes related to cell division and upregulated genes associated with apoptosis pathway. We also found that genes related to immune response and lymphocyte activation were significantly upregulated in PRMT1-suppressed cells. Notably, the activation status of T cells was strikingly enhanced upon coculturing with PRMT1-KO MM cells. In vivo studies using a xenograft model revealed that targeting PRMT1 by either CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout or MS023 treatment significantly attenuated MM tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Histological analysis further confirmed increased apoptotic cell death in MS023-treated tumors. Collectively, our findings establish PRMT1 as an indispensable and novel therapeutic vulnerability in MM. The Multiple myeloma (MM) is a devastating plasma cell malignancy characterized by the expansion of aberrant monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to severe clinical manifestations and poor prognosis, particularly in relapsed/ refractory cases. Identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve treatment outcomes in these patients. In this study, we investigated the role of the protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in MM pathogenesis and explored its potential as a therapeutic target. We observed that PRMT1, responsible for most asymmetric di-methylation in cells, exhibited the highest expression among PRMT family members in MM cell lines and primary MM cells. Importantly, PRMT1 expression was significantly elevated in relapsed/refractory patients compared to newly diagnosed patients. High expression of PRMT1 expression was strongly associated with poor prognosis. We found that genetic or enzymatic inhibition of PRMT1 impaired MM cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest, and triggered cell death. Treatment with MS023, a potent PRMT type I inhibitor, demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on the viability of primary cells isolated from newly diagnosed and proteasome inhibitor-relapsed/ refractory patients in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression of PRMT1 downregulated genes related to cell division and upregulated genes associated with apoptosis pathway. We also found that genes related to immune response and lymphocyte activation were significantly upregulated in PRMT1-suppressed cells. Notably, the activation status of T cells was strikingly enhanced upon coculturing with PRMT1-KO MM cells. In vivo studies using a xenograft model revealed that targeting PRMT1 by either CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout or MS023 treatment significantly attenuated MM tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Histological analysis further confirmed increased apoptotic cell death in MS023-treated tumors. Collectively, our findings establish PRMT1 as an indispensable and novel therapeutic vulnerability in MM. The [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin possesses a wide spectrum of liver cancer inhibition effects, yet it has chemical instability and poor metabolic properties as a drug candidate. To alleviate these problems, a series of new mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives G1–G7 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studies. Compound G2 was found to be the most potent derivative (IC50 = 15.39 μM) compared to curcumin (IC50 = 40.56 μM) by anti-proliferation assay. Subsequently, molecular docking, wound healing, transwell, JC-1 staining, and Western blotting experiments were performed, and it was found that compound G2 could suppress cell migration and induce cell apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT and affecting the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Moreover, the HepG2 cell xenograft model and H&E staining results confirmed that compound G2 was more effective than curcumin in inhibiting tumor growth. Hence, G2 is a promising leading compound with the potential to be developed as a chemotherapy agent for hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative medicine and drug discovery. However, the use of animal models for studying human cardiomyocytes derived from hiPSCs in vivo is limited and challenging. Given the shared properties between humans and zebrafish, their ethical advantages over mammalian models, and their immature immune system that is rejection-free against xenografted human cells, zebrafish provide a suitable alternative model for xenograft studies. We microinjected fluorescence-labeled cardiac lineage cells derived from hiPSCs, specifically mesoderm or cardiac mesoderm cells, into the yolk and the area proximal to the outflow tract of the linear heart at 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf). The cells injected into the yolk survived and did not migrate to other tissues. In contrast, the cells injected contiguous with the outflow tract of the linear heart migrated into the pericardial cavity and heart. After 1 day post injection (1 dpi, 22–24 hpi), the injected cells migrated into the pericardial cavity and heart. Importantly, we observed heartbeat-like movements of some injected cells in the zebrafish heart after 1 dpi. These results suggested successful xenografting of hiPSC-derived cardiac lineage cells into the zebrafish embryo heart. Thus, we developed a valuable tool using zebrafish embryos as a model organism for investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the grafting process. This is essential in developing cell transplantation-based cardiac therapeutics as well as for drug testing, notably contributing to advancements in the field of cardio-medicine. [Display omitted] • Cardiac lineage cells derived from hPSCs were xenografted into zebrafish embryos. • Fluorescence-labeled cells were easily tracked within zebrafish embryos post xenograft. • Injected cells attached to the zebrafish heart and made constant movements. • This model system is useful for studying cell therapy and drug testing in cardiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix-remodeling-associated protein 8 or MXRA8 is a transmembrane protein that can bind arthritogenic alpha viruses like the Chikungunya virus and provide viral entry into cells. MXRA8 can also interact with integrin β3 and thus possibly regulate cell–cell interactions and binding to the extracellular matrix. While MXRA8 has been associated with reduced survival in patients with colorectal and renal clear cell cancers, the role of MXRA8 in breast cancer remains largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the role of MXRA8 in breast cancer by knocking out MXRA8 in the human triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The loss of MXRA8 reduced cell proliferation in vitro but had no effect on apoptosis or migration in cultured cells. However, the loss of MXRA8 significantly delayed tumor development and reduced metastatic dissemination to the lungs in a xenograft model. RNA sequencing identified three genes, ADMATS1, TIE1, and BMP2, whose expression were significantly reduced in MXRA8-knockout tumors compared to control tumors. MXRA8 staining of a human breast cancer tissue array revealed higher levels of MXRA8 in primary tumors and metastases of aggressive tumor subtypes (TNBC and HER2+) compared to less aggressive, ER+ breast cancers. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that MXRA8 regulates the progression of human TNBC possibly through influencing the interaction of tumor cells with their microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) is of great value in tumorigenesis progression. However, the mechanism of circFNDC3B in ESCC remains to be clarified. Methods: Firstly, the circular characteristics of circFNDC3B were evaluated by Actinomycin D and RNase R measurements. The functions of circFNDC3B in ESCC cells were examined by CCK-8, EdU and flow cytometry. Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of circFNDC3B was explained using luciferase reporter gene detection. Finally, we constructed xenograft model to prove the role of circFNDC3B in vivo. Results: Our study revealed that circFNDC3B was more stable than its linear RNA and prominently upregulated in ESCC. Functional findings suggested that silencing of circFNDC3B reduced the proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of ESCC cells in vitro. Meanwhile, knockdown of circFNDC3B attenuated tumor progression in vivo. Next, miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p was discovered to bind circFNDC3B. miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p reversed the promotive effect on cell proliferation and the inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis of circFNDC3B. MYO5A was a downstream target of miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p. CircFNDC3B served as a sponge for miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p and alleviated the prohibitory effect of miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p on MYO5A, which accelerated ESCC progression. Conclusion: circFNDC3B positively adjusted the MYO5A expression via spongy miR-370-3p/miR-136-5p, hence achieving the cancer-promoting effect on ESCC. circFNDC3B was a prospective diagnosis marker for ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a very aggressive and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. The multifaceted nature of GBM pathogenesis, rising from complex interactions between cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), has posed great treatment challenges. Despite significant scientific efforts, the prognosis for GBM remains very poor, even after intensive treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Efficient GBM management still requires the invention of innovative treatment strategies. There is a strong necessity to complete cancer in vitro studies and in vivo studies to properly evaluate the mechanisms of tumor progression within the complex TME. In recent years, the animal models used to study GBM tumors have evolved, achieving highly invasive GBM models able to provide key information on the molecular mechanisms of GBM onset. At present, the most commonly used animal models in GBM research are represented by mammalian models, such as mouse and canine ones. However, the latter present several limitations, such as high cost and time-consuming management, making them inappropriate for large-scale anticancer drug evaluation. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has emerged as a valuable tool for studying GBM. It has shown great promise in preclinical studies due to numerous advantages, such as its small size, its ability to generate a large cohort of genetically identical offspring, and its rapid development, permitting more time- and cost-effective management and high-throughput drug screening when compared to mammalian models. Moreover, due to its transparent nature in early developmental stages and genetic and anatomical similarities with humans, it allows for translatable brain cancer research and related genetic screening and drug discovery. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to highlight the potential of relevant transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models and to compare them to the traditionally used animal models in GBM research.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a devastating plasma cell malignancy characterized by the expansion of aberrant monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to severe clinical manifestations and poor prognosis, particularly in relapsed/ refractory cases. Identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve treatment outcomes in these patients. In this study, we investigated the role of the protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in MM pathogenesis and explored its potential as a therapeutic target. We observed that PRMT1, responsible for most asymmetric di-methylation in cells, exhibited the highest expression among PRMT family members in MM cell lines and primary MM cells. Importantly, PRMT1 expression was significantly elevated in relapsed/refractory patients compared to newly diagnosed patients. High expression of PRMT1 expression was strongly associated with poor prognosis. We found that genetic or enzymatic inhibition of PRMT1 impaired MM cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest, and triggered cell death. Treatment with MS023, a potent PRMT type I inhibitor, demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on the viability of primary cells isolated from newly diagnosed and proteasome inhibitor-relapsed/ refractory patients in a dose-dependent manner. Suppression of PRMT1 downregulated genes related to cell division and upregulated genes associated with apoptosis pathway. We also found that genes related to immune response and lymphocyte activation were significantly upregulated in PRMT1-suppressed cells. Notably, the activation status of T cells was strikingly enhanced upon coculturing with PRMT1-KO MM cells. In vivo studies using a xenograft model revealed that targeting PRMT1 by either CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout or MS023 treatment significantly attenuated MM tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Histological analysis further confirmed increased apoptotic cell death in MS023-treated tumors. Collectively, our findings establish PRMT1 as an indispensable and novel therapeutic vulnerability in MM. The elevated expression of PRMT1 in relapsed/refractory patients underscores its potential as a target for overcoming treatment resistance. Moreover, our results highlight the efficacy of MS023 as a promising therapeutic agent against MM, offering new avenues for therapeutic approaches in relapsed/refractory MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Melanoma is one of the deadliest types of skin cancer, accounting for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. The function of Nudt2 in melanoma is unknown. The goal of this study was to examine the role of Nudt2 in melanoma cells and in vivo model. In melanoma, Nudt2 appears to be a tumor-promoting gene that could be utilized as a cancer therapy target. Nudt2 encodes a diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) hydrolase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of Ap4A and is involved in the lysyl tRNA synthetase-Ap4A-Nudt2 (LysRS-Ap4A-Nudt2) signaling pathway. We have previously demonstrated that this pathway is active in non-small cell lung cancer. Nudt2 was shown to be involved in cell proliferation in breast cancer, making it an important target in cancer therapy. Currently, the function of Nudt2 in malignant melanoma has not been demonstrated. Therefore, we investigated the role played by Nudt2 in the growth of human melanoma. Our study showed that Nudt2 knockdown suppressed anchorage-independent growth of human melanoma cells in vitro. The in vivo effect of Nudt2 was determined by investigating the role played by Nudt2 knockdown on the ability of the cells to form tumors in a mice xenograft model. Nudt2 knockdown significantly suppressed tumor growth in this model. Moreover, overexpression of Nudt2 resulted in an increase in anchorage-independent growth of these cells, whereas Nudt2 knockdown decreased their migration. In addition, Nudt2 knockdown reduced vimentin expression. Vimentin is one of the mesenchymal markers that are involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Thus, Nudt2 plays an important role in promoting anchorage-independent growth and cell migration in melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dealing with nude mice, which lack thymus and therefore are sensitive to unsterile conditions, needs special care and laboratory conditions. For preclinical studies, especially tumour imaging purposes, in which therapeutic properties of drugs or therapeutic compounds are not studied, mice with normal immune system can be a favourable alternative if they carry tumours of interest. In the current study, we introduce an optimized protocol for induction of human tumours in BALB/c mice for preclinical studies. Immune system of BALB/c mice was suppressed by administration of cyclosporine A (CsA), ketoconazole and cyclophosphamide. The tumours of MDA‐MB‐231, A‐431 and U‐87‐MG human cancer cells were induced by subcutaneous injection of the cells to the immunosuppressed mice. Tumour size was calculated weekly. Histopathological and metastatic analyses were performed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. The combination of the three drugs was found to suppress immune system and decrease the numbers of white blood cells, including lymphocytes. At the eighth week, tumours with a dimension of approximately 1400 mm3 developed. Large atypical nuclei with scant cytoplasm were found to exist using histopathological analysis. No metastasis was observed in the tumour‐bearing mice. A combination of CsA, ketoconazole and cyclophosphamide can be used to suppress the immune system in BALB/c mice and induce tumours with significant size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesquiterpenoid tagitinin C, present in Tithonia diversifolia leaves, has been known to have anti-hepatoma properties. Therefore, we investigated the anti-metastatic potential of tagitinin C in xenograft models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We isolated tagitinin C from a methanolic extract of the leaves of T. diversifolia. HepG-2 and Huh 7 hepatoma cells were treated with tagitinin C, and cell viability, migration, and matrix metalloproteinase (MPP) activity were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, scratch migration assay, and MMP activity assay, respectively. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the tumorigenicity of xenografts inoculated with Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cells. Tagitinin C was cytotoxic against Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cells, with IC50 values of 2.0 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 1.2 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively, and it showed an anti-metastatic effect in vitro. Additionally, MRS assays revealed that tagitinin C (15 g/mouse/day) reduced the tumorigenicity of Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cell xenografts. Tagitinin C demonstrated significant antitumor and anti-metastatic activity in the two human hepatoma cell lines. Tagitinin C might be used as an alternative or auxiliary therapy for the treatment of HCC, and its effect should be further investigated in clinical settings.

Objective: Infantile hemangioma (IH), the most common infantile vascular neoplasm, is uniquely characterized by rapid proliferation followed by slow spontaneous involution lasting for years. In IH lesions, perivascular cells are the most dynamic cell subset during the transition from the proliferation phase to the involution phase, and we aimed to systematically study this kind of cell. Methods and results: CD146-selective microbeads were used to isolate IHderived mural-like cells (HemMCs). Mesenchymal markers of HemMCs were detected by flow cytometry, and the multilineage differentiation potential of HemMCs was detected by specific staining after conditioned culture. CD146-selected nonendothelial cells from IH samples showed characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells with distinct angiogenesis-promoting effects detected by transcriptome sequencing. HemMCs spontaneously differentiated into adipocytes 2 weeks after implantation into immunodeficient mice, and almost all HemMCs had differentiated into adipocytes within 4 weeks. HemMCs could not be induced to differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro. However, 2 weeks after implantation in vivo, HemMCs in combination with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) formed GLUT1+ IH-like blood vessels, which spontaneously involuted into adipose tissue 4 weeks after implantation. Conclusions: In conclusion, we identified a specific cell subset that not only showed behavior consistent with the evolution of IH but also recapitulated the unique course of IH. Thus, we speculate that proangiogenic HemMCs may be a potential target for the construction of hemangioma animal models and the study of IH pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is a prime target for in vivo gene therapies using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors. Multiple clinical trials have been undertaken for this target in the past 15 years; however, we are still to see market approval of the first liver-targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV)–based gene therapy. Inefficient expression of the therapeutic transgene, vector-induced liver toxicity and capsid, and/or transgene-mediated immune responses reported at high vector doses are the main challenges to date. One of the contributing factors to the insufficient clinical outcomes, despite highly encouraging preclinical data, is the lack of robust, biologically and clinically predictive preclinical models. To this end, this study reports findings of a functional evaluation of 6 AAV vectors in 12 preclinical models of the human liver, with the aim to uncover which combination of models is the most relevant for the identification of AAV capsid variant for safe and efficient transgene delivery to primary human hepatocytes. The results, generated by studies in models ranging from immortalized cells, iPSC-derived and primary hepatocytes, and primary human hepatic organoids to in vivo models, increased our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This should allow the development of novel gene therapies targeting the human liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the principle causes of cancer‐associated death throughout the world. However, the patients with HCC are insensitive to traditional drugs and lack effective therapeutic drugs. Dysregulation of Hippo‐Yes‐associated protein (YAP) signalling is closely associated with HCC. Bortezomib (BTZ) is mainly used in clinical multiple myeloma. It has recently been confirmed that BTZ could suppress cell proliferation in many different types of cancer. Nevertheless, the precise effects of BTZ on HCC and its possible interactions with the Hippo‐YAP signalling pathway in HCC cells remain largely unknown. In this study, HCC cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) and nude mice with xenograft tumours were used to evaluate the influences of BTZ. Furthermore, we focused on exploring whether BTZ exerts its anti‐HCC effect through the Hippo‐YAP signalling pathway and aimed to lay a theoretical foundation for BTZ as a potential therapeutic drug for HCC. Herein, our results disclose a new mechanism of BTZ in controlling the cell growth of HCC. BTZ downregulates the level of YAP by promoting LATS1 expression to inhibit the growth of HCC cells, which leads to the phosphorylation of YAP and limits YAP nuclear translocation. In sum, our data confirmed that the Hippo‐YAP signalling pathway mediates the anti‐HCC effects of BTZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The ubiquitous Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic herpes virus associated with several human malignancies. EBV is an immune-evasive pathogen that promotes CD8+ T cell exhaustion and dysregulates CD4+ T cell functions. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is frequently associated with EBV infections. Since BL relapses after conventional therapies are difficult to treat, we evaluated prospective off-the-shelf edited CAR-T cell therapies targeting CD19 or the EBV gp350 cell surface antigen. Methods: We used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing methods to knock in (KI) the CD19CAR.CD28z or gp350CAR.CD28z into the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain (TRAC) locus. Results: Applying upscaled methods with the ExPERT ATx® MaxCyte system, KI efficacy was ~20% of the total ~2 × 108 TCR-knocked-out (KO) generated cells. KOTCRKICAR-T cells were co-cultured in vitro with the gp350+CD19+ BL cell lines Daudi (infected with type 1 EBV) or with Jiyoye (harboring a lytic type 2 EBV). Both types of CAR-T cells showed cytotoxic effects against the BL lines in vitro. CD8+ KICAR-T cells showed higher persistency than CD4+ KICAR-T cells after in vitro co-culture with BL and upregulation of the activation/exhaustion markers PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3. Two preclinical in vivo xenograft models were set up with Nod.Rag.Gamma mice injected intravenously (i.v.) with 2 × 105 Daudi/fLuc-GFP or with Jiyoye/fLuc-GFP cells. Compared with the non-treated controls, mice challenged with BL and treated with CD19KICAR-T cells showed delayed lymphoma dissemination with lower EBV DNA load. Notably, for the Jiyoye/fLuc-GFP model, almost exclusively CD4+ CD19KICAR-T cells were detectable at the endpoint analyses in the bone marrow, with increased frequencies of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and TIM-3+CD4+ T cells. Administration of gp350KICAR-T cells to mice after Jiyoye/GFP-fLuc challenge did not inhibit BL growth in vivo but reduced the EBV DNA load in the bone marrow and promoted gp350 antigen escape. CD8+PD-1+LAG-3+ gp350KICAR-T cells were predominant in the bone marrow. Discussion: The two types of KOTCRKICAR-T cells showed different therapeutic effects and in vivo dynamics. These findings reflect the complexities of the immune escape mechanisms of EBV, which may interfere with the CAR-T cell property and potency and should be taken into account for future clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to a variety of cancers, among which skin cancer is the most prevalent form. However, the mechanism underlying arsenic carcinogenesis is unclear, and there is still limited information on the role of miRNAs in arsenic-induced skin cancer. This study aims to explore the role of miR-96-5p in the arsenite-induced proliferation and malignant transformation of human HaCaT keratinocytes. The GEO database (accession numbers GSE97303, GSE97305, and GSE97306) was used to extract mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of HaCaT cells treated with or without 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 3 and 7 weeks. In this paper, according to the CCK8 assay result, HaCaT cells exposed to 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 48 h were finalized. CCK8, MTT, EdU incorporation, and colony formation assays were used to determine the viability and proliferation of HaCaT cells and transformed HaCaT (T-HaCaT) cells. The subcellular localization and relative expression levels of DTL, as well as miR-96-5p in HaCaT cells induced by arsenite, were determined via immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify miR-96-5p bound directly to DTL. Transfection of miR-96-5p mimics or DTL siRNA was conducted to verify the arsenite-induced viability of HaCaT cells and T-HaCaT cells. T-HaCaT cells and nude mice were used to construct arsenite-induced malignant transformation and an in vivo xenograft model to demonstrate the over-expressed effect of miR-96-5p. The results showed that DTL was the target gene of miR-96-5p. Meanwhile, we also found that 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite upregulated DTL by decreasing the miR-96-5p level, leading to the proliferation and malignant transformation of HaCaT cells. MiR-96-5p agomir treatment slowed the growth of transplanted HaCaT cells transformed by arsenite in a manner associated with DTL downregulation in the nude mice xenograft model. Taken together, we confirmed that miR-96-5p, as a potent regulator of DTL, suppressed arsenite-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and malignant transformation, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of arsenic-induced skin cancer.

ObjectiveInfantile hemangioma (IH), the most common infantile vascular neoplasm, is uniquely characterized by rapid proliferation followed by slow spontaneous involution lasting for years. In IH lesions, perivascular cells are the most dynamic cell subset during the transition from the proliferation phase to the involution phase, and we aimed to systematically study this kind of cell.Methods and resultsCD146-selective microbeads were used to isolate IH-derived mural-like cells (HemMCs). Mesenchymal markers of HemMCs were detected by flow cytometry, and the multilineage differentiation potential of HemMCs was detected by specific staining after conditioned culture. CD146-selected nonendothelial cells from IH samples showed characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells with distinct angiogenesis-promoting effects detected by transcriptome sequencing. HemMCs spontaneously differentiated into adipocytes 2 weeks after implantation into immunodeficient mice, and almost all HemMCs had differentiated into adipocytes within 4 weeks. HemMCs could not be induced to differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro. However, 2 weeks after implantation in vivo, HemMCs in combination with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) formed GLUT1+ IH-like blood vessels, which spontaneously involuted into adipose tissue 4 weeks after implantation.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we identified a specific cell subset that not only showed behavior consistent with the evolution of IH but also recapitulated the unique course of IH. Thus, we speculate that proangiogenic HemMCs may be a potential target for the construction of hemangioma animal models and the study of IH pathogenesis.

Simple Summary: The complexity of tumor cell plasticity is still poorly understood. In particular, cellular changes during the metastatic process are difficult to monitor. This is a descriptive study of cell lines derived from primary tumors of xenografted LAN-1 cells and the corresponding three generations of bone metastases. Our results of ex vivo analysis of the cell lines depict the ability of tumor cells to adapt and survive in different microenvironments undergoing significant cellular alterations. The cell lines show strong phenotypical and biochemical changes and even an altered response to immune cells and chemotherapy. In conclusion, this mouse model allows to analyze the complex changes in tumor cell populations during metastasis and can be adapted to cell lines from different tumor origins. Tumor plasticity is essential for adaptation to changing environmental conditions, in particular during the process of metastasis. In this study, we compared morphological and biochemical differences between LAN-1 neuroblastoma (NB) cells recovered from a subcutaneous xenograft primary tumor (PT) and the corresponding three generations of bone metastasis (BM I–III). Moreover, growth behavior, as well as the response to chemotherapy and immune cells were assessed. For this purpose, F-actin was stained, mRNA and protein expression assessed, and lactate secretion analyzed. Further, we measured adhesion to collagen I, the growth rate of spheroids in the presence and absence of vincristine, and the production of IL-6 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-incubated with PT or BM I–III. Analysis of PT and the three BM generations revealed that their growth rate decreased from PT to BM III, and accordingly, PT cells reacted most sensitively to vincristine. In addition, morphology, adaption to hypoxic conditions, as well as transcriptomes showed strong differences between the cell lines. Moreover, BM I and BM II cells exhibited a significantly different ability to stimulate human immune cells compared to PT and BM III cells. Interestingly, the differences in immune cell stimulation corresponded to the expression level of the cancer-testis antigen MAGE-A3. In conclusion, our ex vivo model allows to analyze the adaption of tumor populations to different microenvironments and clearly demonstrates the strong alteration of tumor cell populations during this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesothelin (MSLN) is an attractive immuno-oncology target, but the development of MSLN-targeting therapies has been impeded by tumor shedding of soluble MSLN (sMSLN), on-target off-tumor activity, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We sought to engineer an antibody-based, MSLN-targeted T-cell engager (αMSLN/αCD3) with enhanced ability to discriminate high MSLN-expressing tumors from normal tissue, and activity in the presence of sMSLN. We also studied the in vivo antitumor efficacy of this molecule (NM28-2746) alone and in combination with the multifunctional checkpoint inhibitor/T-cell co-activator NM21-1480 (αPD-L1/α4-1BB). Cytotoxicity and T-cell activation induced by NM28-2746 were studied in co-cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cell lines exhibiting different levels of MSLN expression, including in the presence of soluble MSLN. Xenotransplant models of human pancreatic cancer were used to study the inhibition of tumor growth and stimulation of T-cell infiltration into tumors induced by NM28-2746 alone and in combination with NM21-1480. The bivalent αMSLN T-cell engager NM28-2746 potently induced T-cell activation and T-cell mediated cytotoxicity of high MSLN-expressing cells but had much lower potency against low MSLN-expressing cells. A monovalent counterpart of NM28-2746 had much lower ability to discriminate high MSLN-expressing from low MSLN-expressing cells. The bivalent molecule retained this discriminant ability in the presence of high concentrations of sMSLN. In xenograft models, NM28-2746 exhibited significant tumor suppressing activity, which was significantly enhanced by combination therapy with NM21-1480. NM28-2746, alone or in combination with NM21-1480, may overcome shortcomings of previous MSLN-targeted immuno-oncology drugs, exhibiting enhanced discrimination of high MSLN-expressing cell activity in the presence of sMSLN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Berberine, a non-prescription medicine clinically applied for diarrhoea and gastroenteritis. Recent studies have demonstrated that it possesses anti-tumour properties in colorectal cancer, but the exact molecular mechanism remains obscure. Objectives: To elucidate the underly molecular mechanisms of berberine in colorectal cancer from a perspective of epigenetics, and tried to explore the role of lincROR-Wnt/β-catenin molecular axis in the berberine induced the anti-tumour activity in colorectal cancer. Methods: The effects of berberine on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis were examined in CRC cells. The in vivo effect of berberine on tumour growth was investigated using a xenograft mice model. Moreover, lincROR and Wnt/β-catenin signalling were detected by luciferase activity, qRT-PCR and western blotting assays. Key findings: Berberine suppressed cell growth in vitro via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in CRC cell, and inhibited tumourigenesis in vivo. LincROR was significantly down-regulated by berberine, inducing the inactivation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling, meanwhile, the overexpression of lincROR partially reversed the suppressive effects on tumour growth and Wnt/β-catenin signalling induced by berberine. Conclusions: Berberine inhibits tumour growth partially via regulating the lincROR-Wnt/β-catenin regulatory axis, which provides a strategy for the design of anti-tumour drugs for CRC patients after our advanced validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolism is reprogrammed in cancer cells to meet the requirement of their malignant properties. Some specific metabolites can contribute to the malignant transformation in different cancer types. This study aimed to determine the level of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, D-2-hydroxyglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, and oxaloacetate in the different tissues (tumor, colon, brain, and liver) of xenograft models generated by a colon adenocarcinoma cell line (SW480). Glucose and pyruvate levels were determined by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method and pyruvate assay, respectively. The level of other metabolites was determined by the HPLC analysis. The results show that D-2-HG is highly produced in the tumor tissues (120.2 mg/L), but it could not be detected in liver tissue. In conclusion, TCA and Cori cycles and Glycolysis were investigated in the different tissues of colon cancer xenograft models and found that some metabolites produced tissue-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal tumors. The aim of this study is to provide an effective therapeutic discovery platform for pancreatic cancer by establishing and characterizing patient-derived organoids (PDOs).Methods: PDOs were established from pancreatic tumor surgical specimens, and the mutations were examined using a panel sequence. Expression of markers was assessed by PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry; tumorigenicity was examined using immunodeficient mice, and drug responses were examined in vitro and in vivo.Results: PDOs were established from eight primary and metastatic tumors, and the characteristic mutations and expression of cancer stem cell markers and CA19-9 were confirmed. Tumorigenicity of the PDOs was confirmed in subcutaneous transplantation and in the peritoneal cavity in the case of PDOs derived from disseminated nodules. Gemcitabine-sensitive/resistant PDOs showed consistent responses in vivo. High throughput screening in PDOs identified a compound effective for inhibiting tumor growth of a gemcitabine-resistant PDO xenograft model.Conclusions: This PDO-based platform captures important aspects of treatment-resistant pancreatic cancer and its metastatic features, suggesting that this study may serve as a tool for the discovery of personalized therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesquiterpenoid tagitinin C, present in Tithonia diversifolia leaves, has been known to have anti-hepatoma properties. Therefore, we investigated the anti-metastatic potential of tagitinin C in xenograft models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We isolated tagitinin C from a methanolic extract of the leaves of T. diversifolia. HepG-2 and Huh 7 hepatoma cells were treated with tagitinin C, and cell viability, migration, and matrix metalloproteinase (MPP) activity were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, scratch migration assay, and MMP activity assay, respectively. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the tumorigenicity of xenografts inoculated with Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cells. Tagitinin C was cytotoxic against Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cells, with IC50 values of 2.0 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 1.2 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively, and it showed an anti-metastatic effect in vitro. Additionally, MRS assays revealed that tagitinin C (15 g/mouse/day) reduced the tumorigenicity of Hep-G2 and Huh 7 cell xenografts. Tagitinin C demonstrated significant antitumor and anti-metastatic activity in the two human hepatoma cell lines. Tagitinin C might be used as an alternative or auxiliary therapy for the treatment of HCC, and its effect should be further investigated in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal tumors. The aim of this study is to provide an effective therapeutic discovery platform for pancreatic cancer by establishing and characterizing patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Methods PDOs were established from pancreatic tumor surgical specimens, and the mutations were examined using a panel sequence. Expression of markers was assessed by PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry; tumorigenicity was examined using immunodeficient mice, and drug responses were examined in vitro and in vivo. Results PDOs were established from eight primary and metastatic tumors, and the characteristic mutations and expression of cancer stem cell markers and CA19–9 were confirmed. Tumorigenicity of the PDOs was confirmed in subcutaneous transplantation and in the peritoneal cavity in the case of PDOs derived from disseminated nodules. Gemcitabine-sensitive/resistant PDOs showed consistent responses in vivo. High throughput screening in PDOs identified a compound effective for inhibiting tumor growth of a gemcitabine-resistant PDO xenograft model. Conclusions This PDO-based platform captures important aspects of treatment-resistant pancreatic cancer and its metastatic features, suggesting that this study may serve as a tool for the discovery of personalized therapies.

Curcumin possesses a wide spectrum of liver cancer inhibition effects, yet it has chemical instability and poor metabolic properties as a drug candidate. To alleviate these problems, a series of new mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives G1–G7 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studies. Compound G2 was found to be the most potent derivative (IC50 = 15.39 μM) compared to curcumin (IC50 = 40.56 μM) by anti-proliferation assay. Subsequently, molecular docking, wound healing, transwell, JC-1 staining, and Western blotting experiments were performed, and it was found that compound G2 could suppress cell migration and induce cell apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT and affecting the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Moreover, the HepG2 cell xenograft model and H&E staining results confirmed that compound G2 was more effective than curcumin in inhibiting tumor growth. Hence, G2 is a promising leading compound with the potential to be developed as a chemotherapy agent for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Matrix-remodeling-associated protein 8 or MXRA8 is a transmembrane protein that can bind arthritogenic alpha viruses like the Chikungunya virus and provide viral entry into cells. MXRA8 can also interact with integrin β3 and thus possibly regulate cell–cell interactions and binding to the extracellular matrix. While MXRA8 has been associated with reduced survival in patients with colorectal and renal clear cell cancers, the role of MXRA8 in breast cancer remains largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the role of MXRA8 in breast cancer by knocking out MXRA8 in the human triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The loss of MXRA8 reduced cell proliferation in vitro but had no effect on apoptosis or migration in cultured cells. However, the loss of MXRA8 significantly delayed tumor development and reduced metastatic dissemination to the lungs in a xenograft model. RNA sequencing identified three genes, ADMATS1, TIE1, and BMP2, whose expression were significantly reduced in MXRA8-knockout tumors compared to control tumors. MXRA8 staining of a human breast cancer tissue array revealed higher levels of MXRA8 in primary tumors and metastases of aggressive tumor subtypes (TNBC and HER2+) compared to less aggressive, ER+ breast cancers. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that MXRA8 regulates the progression of human TNBC possibly through influencing the interaction of tumor cells with their microenvironment.

Purpose: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reported in various tumors play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of retinoblastoma (Rb). Following the efforts to reduce, replace, and refine the use of mammalian models, we aimed to establish a short-term xenograft for Rb to evaluate the CSC properties of CD133- Rb Y79 cells, using the well-established chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CE-CAM) assay. Methods: Y79 cells were cultured, labeled with two different dyes (CM-Dil Y79 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)) and sorted for CD133- and CD133 + subsets. Two million cells from each of the labeled groups were transplanted onto the abraded CAM on embryonic day 7 (E7). On E14, the tumor nodule formation on CAM and spontaneous metastasis to the embryos were evaluated by confocal microscopy, in vivo imaging, and histology. Results: Y79 cells formed pink–white raised perivascular nodules with feeder vessels on the CAM with both the types of labeled CD133- cells. CD133- cells, when compared to CD133 + cells, demonstrated significantly larger tumor volume (40.45 ± 7.744 mm3 vs 3.478 ± 0.69 mm3, P = 0.0014) and higher fluorescence intensity (CM-Dil: AUF = 6.37 × 107 ± 7.7 × 106 vs 1.08 × 107 ± 1.6 × 106; P < 0.0001; eGFP: AUF = 13.94 × 104 ± 2.54 × 104 vs AUF = 1.39 × 104 ± 0.4 × 104; P = 0.0003). The metastatic potential of CD133- cells was also observed to be higher as noted by in vivo imaging and histopathology. Conclusion: This study highlights that CE-CAM is a feasible alternative nonmammalian model for evaluating tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of Y79 CSCs. Increased tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of CD133- subset of tumor cells substantiate their CSC properties.

Abstract Cisplatin is the primary anti-cancer agent for the treatment of most solid tumors. However, platinum-based anti-cancer chemotherapy produces severe side effects due to its poor specificity. There are a broad interest and literature base for a novel mechanism of action on platinum derivatives. Additionally, combining cisplatin with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives showed promising results in treating solid tumors. Here we aimed to conjugate 4-hydroxybenzoic acid with platinum to obtain a novel platinum derivative that can overcome cisplatin resistance. Cis-4-hydroxyphenylplatinum(II)diamine compound was synthesized under mild conditions and characterized. Cytotoxicity assay was performed on SKOV3-Luc and A549-Luc cells. Hemocompatibility and serum protein binding analysis were performed. Treatment potential was evaluated in xenograft tumor models. Biodistribution was tested on tumor-bearing mice via Pt analysis in organs with ICP-MS, ex vivo. In this study, cis-4-hydroxyphenylplatinum (II) diamine was synthesized with a yield of 62%. The MTT assay on A549-Luc and SKOV3-Luc cell lines resulted in IC50 values of 17.82 and 7.81 μM, respectively. While tumor growth was continued in the control group, the tumor volume decreased in the treatment group. All results point to the conclusion that the new compound has the potential to treat solid tumors.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular cancer with propensity for liver metastases. The median overall survival (OS) for metastatic UM (MUM) is 1.07 years, with a reported range of 0.84–1.34. In primary UM, high cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1) expression associates with poor outcomes. CysLT1 antagonists, quininib and 1,4-dihydroxy quininib, alter cancer hallmarks of primary and metastatic UM cell lines in vitro. Here, the clinical relevance of CysLT receptors and therapeutic potential of quininib analogs is elaborated in UM using preclinical in vivo orthotopic xenograft models and ex vivo patient samples. Immunohistochemical staining of an independent cohort (n = 64) of primary UM patients confirmed high CysLT1 expression significantly associates with death from metastatic disease (p = 0.02; HR 2.28; 95% CI 1.08–4.78), solidifying the disease relevance of CysLT1 in UM. In primary UM samples (n = 11) cultured as ex vivo explants, 1,4-dihydroxy quininib significantly alters the secretion of IL-13, IL-2, and TNF-α. In an orthotopic, cell line-derived xenograft model of MUM, 1,4-dihydroxy quininib administered intraperitoneally at 25 mg/kg significantly decreases ATP5B expression (p = 0.03), a marker of oxidative phosphorylation. In UM, high ATP5F1B is a poor prognostic indicator, whereas low ATP5F1B, in combination with disomy 3, correlates with an absence of metastatic disease in the TCGA-UM dataset. These preclinical data highlight the diagnostic potential of CysLT1 and ATP5F1B in UM, and the therapeutic potential of 1,4-dihydroxy quininib with ATP5F1B as a companion diagnostic to treat MUM.

Yingwei Xie,1,2,&ast; Wentai Shangguan,1,2,&ast; Zhiliang Chen,1,2,&ast; Zaosong Zheng,3 Yuqing Chen,4 Qiyu Zhong,1,2 Yishan Zhang,1,2 Jingying Yang,1,2 Dingjun Zhu,1,2,5 Wenlian Xie1,2,5 1Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 5Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Urological Diseases, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wenlian Xie Email xiewl@mail.sysu.edu.cnIntroduction: Sunitinib is the first-line targeted drug for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but its therapeutic potential is limited by premature drug resistance. In an attempt to overcome this limitation, a sunitinib-resistant cell-derived xenograft (CDX) model of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in vivo was constructed in this study. The molecular mechanism of drug resistance was analyzed using sequencing and bioinformatics tools.Methods: First, mice were injected subcutaneously with tumor cells 786-O to create tumors and were simultaneously treated with sunitinib. After three consecutive passages, a drug-resistant xenograft model was obtained. Then, key pathways and genes were identified via second-generation sequencing of the tissue and the examination of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with bioinformatics tools.Results: Analysis of sequencing data revealed that 646 DEGs were upregulated and 465 were downregulated in the drug-resistant tissues when compared with the sensitive tissues. GO showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in angiogenesis, cell hypoxia response, and apoptosis. KEGG analysis demonstrated that the main pathways were PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, NF-kappa B, and MAPK. Modular analysis of the PPI network indicated that the GO and KEGG analyses of module 1 with the highest ranking were mainly related to ubiquitinase activity. Similarly, the GO and KEGG analyses of the top 10 hub genes were also chiefly linked to ubiquitinase activity. Then, comprehensive expression analysis of the hub genes, and finally, the genes BTRC and TRIM32 were identified, which were consistent in all observations.Conclusion: In this study, through the construction of in vitro models and bioinformatics analysis, the important pathways and key genes related to ccRCC sunitinib resistance were discovered. Among them, ubiquitinase may play an important role in drug resistance and may be a potential therapeutic target and biomarker.Keywords: ccRCC, sunitinib, drug resistance, xenograft model, ubiquitinase

Primary human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)‐unrelated effusion large B‐cell lymphoma (ELBCL) is recognized as a new clinical entity, but its pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies remain largely unknown. We have generated two mouse models with profuse lymphomatous effusions that resemble HHV8‐unrelated ELBCL occurring in humans, by grafting the cell lines designated as Pell‐1 and Pell‐2. Using these in vivo models, we evaluated the potential role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of HHV8‐unrelated ELBCL. Both Pell‐1 and Pell‐2 cells consistently produced very high levels of VEGF in mice, in contrast to in vitro findings of relatively low VEGF production in culture medium by HHV8‐unrelated ELBCL cells, especially Pell‐1 cells. Conversely, returning Pell‐1 cells grown in mice to culture medium markedly suppressed VEGF production to the original in vitro level. These findings suggest that the tumour microenvironment plays a role in the steady production of VEGF. We also found that the interaction between HHV8‐unrelated ELBCL cells and peritoneal mesothelial cells increased the production of VEGF in vitro. Finally, we found that bevacizumab significantly suppressed effusion formation and lymphoma cell growth in both mouse models. These results suggest that bevacizumab is a rational approach to the treatment of HHV8‐unrelated ELBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cells are dependent on protein quality‐control mechanisms, including protein chaperones, the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, and autophagy. The p62 receptor is a classical, ubiquitously expressed receptor, involved in many signal transduction pathways. Upregulation and/or reduced degradation of p62 have been implicated in tumor formation and resistance to therapy. PTX80 is a first‐in‐class novel inhibitor of protein degradation, developed by Pi Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. PTX80 binds to p62, inducing a decrease in soluble p62 and formation of insoluble p62 aggregates, and failure of polyubiquitinated proteins to colocalize with p62. PTX80 induces proteotoxic stress and activation of unfolded protein response, which, in turn, leads to apoptosis. Targeting p62, which is a major protein degradation hub, may serve as a novel and beneficial strategy for the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a subtype of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Topical or systemic treatment with psoralen, such as 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP), followed by ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation (PUVA therapy) is an effective phototherapy for early‐stage MF. However, the efficacy of PUVA therapy for advanced‐stage MF is not satisfactory, and the ideal combination partner for PUVA therapy has not yet been found. In this study, we developed a new mouse model of CTCL in which efficacy of PUVA was detected and further evaluated the efficacy of combination treatment of PUVA and mogamulizumab, an anti‐CCR4 monoclonal antibody. Cytotoxicity of PUVA therapy against HH cells, a CTCL cell line, was observed in vitro. The cytotoxicity was dependent on both 8‐MOP and UVA. Using HH cells, we developed a mouse model in which HH cells were subcutaneously inoculated in the ear. In this model, PUVA therapy suppressed tumour growth with statistical significance, while 8‐MOP or UVA alone did not. Combination therapy of PUVA and mogamulizumab showed greater antitumor activity than either monotherapy with statistical significance. In the histological analysis of the tumour tissue, PUVA accelerated tumour necrosis and then induced the infiltration inflammatory cells in the necrotic area, suggesting that these cells served as effector cells for mogamulizumab. This combination therapy is expected to be a beneficial option for CTCL therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]