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DNA oncoviruses represent an intriguing subject due to their involvement in oncogenesis. These viruses have evolved mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response, facilitating their persistence and actively contributing to carcinogenic processes. This paper describes the complex interactions between DNA oncoviruses and the innate immune system, with a particular emphasis on the cGAS-STING pathway. Exploring these interactions highlights that DNA oncoviruses strategically target and subvert this pathway, exploiting its vulnerabilities for their own survival and proliferation within the host. Understanding these interactions lays the foundation for identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Herein, we sought to contribute to the ongoing efforts in advancing our understanding of the innate immune system in oncoviral pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA Topoisomerase IIα (Top2A) is a nuclear enzyme that is a cancer drug target, and there is interest in identifying novel sites on the enzyme to inhibit cancer cells more selectively and to reduce off-target toxicity. The C-terminal domain (CTD) is one potential target, but it is an intrinsically disordered domain, which prevents structural analysis. Therefore, we set out to analyze the sequence of Top2A from 105 species using bioinformatic analysis, including the PSICalc algorithm, Shannon entropy analysis, and other approaches. Our results demonstrate that large (10th-order) interdependent clusters are found including non-proximal positions across the major domains of Top2A. Further, CTD-specific clusters of the third, fourth, and fifth order, including positions that had been previously analyzed via mutation and biochemical assays, were identified. Some of these clusters coincided with positions that, when mutated, either increased or decreased relaxation activity. Finally, sites of low Shannon entropy (i.e., low variation in amino acids at a given site) were identified and mapped as key positions in the CTD. Included in the low-entropy sites are phosphorylation sites and charged positions. Together, these results help to build a clearer picture of the critical positions in the CTD and provide potential sites/regions for further analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The current theories of carcinogenesis are the result of a long succession of thoughts and beliefs since antiquity. From the humor theory that interpreted cancer as an excess of black bile to the three notions of initiation, promotion, and progression and the most recent definitions of hallmarks of cancer, we reviewed and discussed each of these steps to better understand the state of the art of carcinogenesis. While cancer is one of the most documented diseases, how normal cells become cancerous is still debated. To address this question, in the first part of this review, we investigated the long succession of theories of carcinogenesis since antiquity. Initiated by Hippocrates, Aristotle, and Galen, the humoral theory interpreted cancer as an excess of acid, the black bile. The discovery of the circulation of blood by Harvey in 1628 destroyed the basis of the humoral theory but revived the spontaneous generation hypothesis which was also promoted by Aristotle. In 1859, the theory of microbes promoted by Pasteur demonstrated the irrelevance of this last theory and contributed to the emergence of the germ cancer theory, opposed to the cellular theory of cancer, in which cancer was supposed to be caused by microbes or transformed cells, respectively. These theories were progressively refined by the notions of initiation, promotion, and progression thanks to advances in mutagenesis and cellular proliferation. In the second part of this review, recent discoveries and paradigms in carcinogenesis, notably the role of the protein ATM, a major actor of the stress response involved in both mutagenesis and cellular proliferation, were discussed to better understand the current state of the art of carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personalized cancer care requires molecular characterization of neoplasms. While the research community accepts frozen tissues as the gold standard analyte for molecular assays, the source of tissue for testing in clinical cancer care comes almost universally from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE). As newer technologies emerge for DNA characterization that requires higher molecular weight DNA, it was necessary to compare the quality of DNA in terms of DNA length between FFPE and cryopreserved samples. We hypothesized that cryopreserved samples would yield higher quantity and superior quality DNA compared to FFPE samples. We analyzed DNA metrics by performing a head-to-head comparison between FFPE and cryopreserved samples from 38 human tumors representing various cancer types. DNA quantity and purity were measured by UV spectrophotometry, and DNA from cryopreserved tissue demonstrated a 4.2-fold increase in DNA yield per mg of tissue (p-value < 0.001). DNA quality was measured on a fragment microelectrophoresis analyzer, and again, DNA from cryopreserved tissue demonstrated a 223% increase in the DNA quality number and a 9-fold increase in DNA fragments > 40,000 bp (p-value < 0.0001). DNA from the cryopreserved tissues was superior to the DNA from FFPE samples in terms of DNA yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study subject. Effect of capsaicin on tumorigenesis. Plants of the Capsicum family including chili peppers are one of the oldest domesticated crops. The constituents of chili peppers, particularly capsaicin, have become the subject of intense research because of their diverse effects on physiology and metabolism. The widespread use of capsaicin in various types of diseases has naturally led to attempts to use it to combat diseases that cause more than 25% of Poland's deaths - cancer. Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to gather and systematize knowledge on the effects of capsaicin and chili bell pepper extracts on tumorigenesis taking into account both its anticancer and prooncogenic properties described in the medical literature. Other properties of capsaicin resulting from its mechanism of action were also taken into account. Materials and Methods. The literature was reviewed by searching scientific databases: PubMed, ClinicalKey and Google Scholar. A search for relevant articles on chili peppers, capsaicin and their effects on tumorigenesis was conducted using the keywords "capsaicin" (Capsaicin), "cancer" (Cancer), TRPV1, "apoptosis" (Apoptosis), "oxidative stress" (Oxidative stress), "proliferation" (Proliferation), and in the following order: "obesity" (ang Obesity), "pain" (ang Pain). The present methodology made it possible to find current, both original and review papers on the properties of capsaicin, and in particular its effect on tumorigenesis. Results: Capsaicin, acts as an agonist of TRPV-1 receptors, which are widespread both in the nervous system (particularly in nopcyclic receptors) and outside nervous tissues. Studies indicate that the substance can effectively help regulate carbohydrate metabolism, help lower blood pressure, positively influence the lipid profile and reduce appetite. Thanks to these mechanisms, capsaicin can be used as an aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, obesity or type II diabetes. In the anti-cancer context, capsaicin shows the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, reactivate the p53 protein and act as a radio- or chemosensitizer. Thanks to the discovery of its effects on the above mechanisms, capsaicin has been the subject of research for years into its use as an anticancer drug or an adjuvant to cancer treatment. Despite the promising results, there are conflicting reports on the effects of capsaicin on tumorigenesis. It seems that despite its undoubted anti-cancer effects confirmed by numerous studies, inappropriate use of capsaicin or products containing it may pose a risk of exacerbating existing cancer or the appearance of metastases. Conclusions: Despite its promising therapeutic properties, particularly in the anticancer context, the safety and efficacy of capsaicin remain controversial. Further research into the dose, duration of exposure and use of capsaicin is needed to accurately determine the scope of its applications and minimize possible negative side effects.