Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 91 in total

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  1. Fulltext Hydroxychloroquine: Key therapeutic advances and emerging nanotechnological landscape for cancer mitigation
    Low LE, Kong CK, Yap WH, Siva SP, Gan SH, Siew WS, et al.
    Chem Biol Interact, 2023 Dec 01;386:110750.
    PMID: 37839513 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110750
    Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a unique class of medications that has been widely utilized for the treatment of cancer. HCQ plays a dichotomous role by inhibiting autophagy induced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Preclinical studies support the use of HCQ for anti-cancer therapy, especially in combination with conventional anti-cancer treatments since they sensitize tumor cells to drugs, potentiating the therapeutic activity. However, clinical evidence has suggested poor outcomes for HCQ due to various obstacles, including non-specific distribution, low aqueous solubility and low bioavailability at target sites, transport across tissue barriers, and retinal toxicity. These issues are addressable via the integration of HCQ with nanotechnology to produce HCQ-conjugated nanomedicines. This review aims to discuss the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and antitumor properties of HCQ. Furthermore, the antitumor performance of the nanoformulated HCQ is also reviewed thoroughly, aiming to serve as a guide for the HCQ-based enhanced treatment of cancers. The nanoencapsulation or nanoconjugation of HCQ with nanoassemblies appears to be a promising method for reducing the toxicity and improving the antitumor efficacy of HCQ.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  2. Fulltext Stem Cells for Cancer Therapy: Translating the Uncertainties and Possibilities of Stem Cell Properties into Opportunities for Effective Cancer Therapy
    Aldoghachi AF, Chong ZX, Yeap SK, Cheong SK, Ho WY, Ong AHK
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Jan 05;24(2).
    PMID: 36674525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021012
    Cancer recurrence and drug resistance following treatment, as well as metastatic forms of cancer, are trends that are commonly encountered in cancer management. Amidst the growing popularity of personalized medicine and targeted therapy as effective cancer treatment, studies involving the use of stem cells in cancer therapy are gaining ground as promising translational treatment options that are actively pursued by researchers due to their unique tumor-homing activities and anti-cancer properties. Therefore, this review will highlight cancer interactions with commonly studied stem cell types, namely, mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), iPSC-derived MSC (iMSC), and cancer stem cells (CSC). A particular focus will be on the effects of paracrine signaling activities and exosomal miRNA interaction released by MSC and iMSCs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) along with their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer delivery agents. Similarly, the role of exosomal miRNA released by CSCs will be further discussed in the context of its role in cancer recurrence and metastatic spread, which leads to a better understanding of how such exosomal miRNA could be used as potential forms of non-cell-based cancer therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  3. Fulltext Tryptophan metabolism-related gene expression patterns: unveiling prognostic insights and immune landscapes in uveal melanoma
    Wang J, Zhao T, Li B, Wei W
    Aging (Albany NY), 2023 Oct 13;15(20):11201-11216.
    PMID: 37844995 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205122
    Uveal melanoma (UVM) remains the leading intraocular malignancy in adults, with a poor prognosis for those with metastatic disease. Tryptophan metabolism plays a pivotal role in influencing cancerous properties and modifying the tumor's immune microenvironment. In this study, we explore the relationship between tryptophan metabolism-related gene (TRMG) expression and the various features of UVM, including prognosis and tumor microenvironment. Our analysis included 143 patient samples sourced from public databases. Using K-means clustering, we categorized UVM patients into two distinct clusters. Further, we developed a prognostic model based on five essential genes, effectively distinguishing between low-risk and high-risk patients. This distinction underscores the importance of TRMGs in UVM prognostication. Combining TRMG data with gender to create nomograms demonstrated exceptional accuracy in predicting UVM patient outcomes. Moreover, our analysis reveals correlations between risk assessments and immune cell infiltrations. Notably, the low-risk group displayed a heightened potential response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In conclusion, our findings underscore the dynamic relationship between TRMG expression and various UVM characteristics, presenting a novel prognostic framework centered on TRMGs. The deep connection between TRMGs and UVM's tumor immune microenvironment emphasizes the crucial role of tryptophan metabolism in shaping the immune landscape. Such understanding paves the way for designing targeted immunotherapy strategies for UVM patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
  4. miRNAs as key modulators between normal cells and tumor microenvironment interactions
    Nour SM, Abbasi N, Sadi S, Ravan N, Alipourian A, Yarizadeh M, et al.
    Chem Biol Drug Des, 2023 Oct;102(4):939-950.
    PMID: 37402595 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14285
    The tumor microenvironment (TME) is well-defined target for understanding tumor progression and various cell types. Major elements of the tumor microenvironment are the followings: endothelial cells, fibroblasts, signaling molecules, extracellular matrix, and infiltrating immune cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small noncoding RNAs with major functions in the gene expression regulation at post-transcriptional level that have also appeared to exerts key functions in the cancer initiation/progression in diverse biological processes and the tumor microenvironment. This study summarized various roles of miRNAs in the complex interactions between the tumor and normal cells in their microenvironment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
  5. Fulltext Exploring the current landscape of single-cell RNA sequencing applications in gastric cancer research
    Awuah WA, Roy S, Tan JK, Adebusoye FT, Qiang Z, Ferreira T, et al.
    J Cell Mol Med, 2024 Apr;28(7):e18159.
    PMID: 38494861 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18159
    Gastric cancer (GC) represents a major global health burden and is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related fatalities. Its complex nature, characterized by heterogeneity and aggressive behaviour, poses considerable challenges for effective diagnosis and treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as an important technique, offering unprecedented precision and depth in gene expression profiling at the cellular level. By facilitating the identification of distinct cell populations, rare cells and dynamic transcriptional changes within GC, scRNA-seq has yielded valuable insights into tumour progression and potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, this technology has significantly improved our comprehension of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and its intricate interplay with immune cells, thereby opening avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies. Nonetheless, certain obstacles, including tumour heterogeneity and technical limitations, persist in the field. Current endeavours are dedicated to refining protocols and computational tools to surmount these challenges. In this narrative review, we explore the significance of scRNA-seq in GC, emphasizing its advantages, challenges and potential applications in unravelling tumour heterogeneity and identifying promising therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss recent developments, ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges, and future prospects. Although further enhancements are required, scRNA-seq has already provided valuable insights into GC and holds promise for advancing biomedical research and clinical practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
  6. Fulltext The chemokine lymphotactin and its recombinant variants in oral cancer cell regulation
    Abdullah Zubir AZ, Whawell SA, Wong TS, Khurram SA
    Oral Dis, 2020 Nov;26(8):1668-1676.
    PMID: 32562323 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13500
    BACKGROUND: The expression of XCR1 receptor and its metamorphic ligand lymphotactin (hLtn) has been shown in cancers but their precise role in tumorigenesis is poorly understood including the significance of the physiologically existing hLtn monomeric (CC3) and dimeric (W55D) confirmations where the latter thought to function as the receptor antagonist. The aim of this study was to explore the functional role of bioengineered hLtn variants and the role of fibroblasts in XCR1/hLtn expression regulation in oral cancer cells (OCCL).

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: qRT-PCR and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate mRNA and protein expression of XCR1 and hLtn. Recombinant hLtn variants (wild-type, CC3 and W55D mutant) were designed, expressed, purified and evaluated using proliferation, adhesion and chemotaxis assays. XCR1 and hLtn expression regulation by fibroblasts was determined using indirect co-culture. XCR1 and hLtn expression in primary and metastatic OSCC tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry.

    RESULTS: hLtn caused a significant decrease in OCCL XCR1 surface protein expression. hLtn CC3 mutant was highly functional facilitating proliferation and migration. Conditioned media from primary cancer-associated and senescent fibroblasts significantly upregulated XCR1 and hLtn mRNA expression in OCCL. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher XCR1 and hLtn expression in metastatic tumour deposits and surrounding stroma compared to primary OSCC tissue.

    CONCLUSIONS: The development of hLtn biological mutants, regulation of XCR1 expression by its ligand hLtn and crosstalk with fibroblasts are novel findings suggesting an important role for the XCR1/hLtn axis within the OSCC tumour microenvironment. These discoveries build upon previous studies and suggest that the hLtn/XCR1 axis has a significant role in stromal crosstalk and OSCC progression.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  7. Tumor-responsive dynamic nanoassemblies for targeted imaging, therapy and microenvironment manipulation
    Low LE, Wu J, Lee J, Tey BT, Goh BH, Gao J, et al.
    J Control Release, 2020 Aug 10;324:69-103.
    PMID: 32423874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.05.014
    The recent designs of dynamic nanoassemblies exploiting the tumor-targeting properties have received increasing attention for tumor imaging and therapy due to their tumor-specific delivery and enhanced antitumor efficacy. However, these designs are mainly focused on the macroscopic tumor therapeutic effect, while the nano-bio interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain poorly understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the development of tumor-responsive nanoassemblies towards the imaging, therapy and TME modulation in the tumor site. The tumor biology leading to TME formation and the potential TME properties for the practicable design of tumor-targeting nanoassemblies has been outlined. Furthermore, the various approaches for TME modification and the realization via dynamic nanoassemblies for enhanced tumor therapy were reviewed. Lastly, the prospects of these methods were briefly discussed. These strategies may inspire the development of new combinational cancer therapeutics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  8. Functionalized chitosan for cancer nano drug delivery
    Zaiki Y, Iskandar A, Wong TW
    Biotechnol Adv, 2023 Oct;67:108200.
    PMID: 37331671 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108200
    Chitosan is a biotechnological derivative of chitin receiving a widespread pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. It can be used to encapsulate and deliver cancer therapeutics with inherent pH-dependent solubility to confer drug targeting at tumour microenvironment and anti-cancer activity synergizing cancer cytotoxic drug actions. To further reduce the off-target and by-stander adverse effects of drugs, a high targeted drug delivery efficiency at the lowest possible drug doses is clinically required. The chitosan has been functionalized with covalent conjugates or complexes and processed into nanoparticles to encapsulate and control drug release, to avoid premature drug clearance, to deliver drugs passively and actively to cancer site at tissue, cell or subcellular levels, and to promote cancer cell uptake of nanoparticles through membrane permeabilization at higher specificity and scale. Nanomedicine developed using functionalized chitosan translates to significant preclinical improvements. Future challenges related to nanotoxicity, manufacturability, selection precision of conjugates and complexes as a function of cancer omics and their biological responses from administration site to cancer target need critical assessments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  9. Surface Functionalization of Gold Nanoparticles for Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment to Improve Antitumor Efficiency
    Tan KF, In LLA, Vijayaraj Kumar P
    ACS Appl Bio Mater, 2023 Aug 21;6(8):2944-2981.
    PMID: 37435615 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00202
    Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have undergone significant research for their use in the treatment of cancer. Numerous researchers have established their potent antitumor properties, which have greatly impacted the treatment of cancer. AuNPs have been used in four primary anticancer treatment modalities, namely radiation, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and chemotherapy. However, the ability of AuNPs to destroy cancer is lacking and can even harm healthy cells without the right direction to transport them to the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, a suitable targeting technique is needed. Based on the distinct features of the human tumor microenvironment, this review discusses four different targeting strategies that target the four key features of the tumor microenvironment, including abnormal vasculature, overexpression of specific receptors, an acidic microenvironment, and a hypoxic microenvironment, to direct surface-functionalized AuNPs to the tumor microenvironment and increase antitumor efficacies. In addition, some current completed or ongoing clinical trials of AuNPs will also be discussed below to further reinforce the concept of using AuNPs in anticancer therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  10. Overcoming colloidal nanoparticle aggregation in biological milieu for cancer therapeutic delivery: Perspectives of materials and particle design
    Lim SH, Wong TW, Tay WX
    Adv Colloid Interface Sci, 2024 Mar;325:103094.
    PMID: 38359673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103094
    Nanoparticles as cancer therapeutic carrier fail in clinical translation due to complex biological environments in vivo consisting of electrolytes and proteins which render nanoparticle aggregation and unable to reach action site. This review identifies the desirable characteristics of nanoparticles and their constituent materials that prevent aggregation from site of administration (oral, lung, injection) to target site. Oral nanoparticles should ideally be 75-100 nm whereas the size of pulmonary nanoparticles minimally affects their aggregation. Nanoparticles generally should carry excess negative surface charges particularly in fasting state and exert steric hindrance through surface decoration with citrate, anionic surfactants and large polymeric chains (polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone) to prevent aggregation. Anionic as well as cationic nanoparticles are both predisposed to protein corona formation as a function of biological protein isoelectric points. Their nanoparticulate surface composition as such should confer hydrophilicity or steric hindrance to evade protein corona formation or its formation should translate into steric hindrance or surface negative charges to prevent further aggregation. Unexpectedly, smaller and cationic nanoparticles are less prone to aggregation at cancer cell interface favoring endocytosis whereas aggregation is essential to enable nanoparticles retention and subsequent cancer cell uptake in tumor microenvironment. Present studies are largely conducted in vitro with simplified simulated biological media. Future aggregation assessment of nanoparticles in biological fluids that mimic that of patients is imperative to address conflicting materials and designs required as a function of body sites in order to realize the future clinical benefits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  11. Fulltext Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) in Colon Cancer and How to Reeducate Them
    Yahaya MAF, Lila MAM, Ismail S, Zainol M, Afizan NARNM
    J Immunol Res, 2019;2019:2368249.
    PMID: 30931335 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2368249
    Tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) serves as the site in which most inflammatory cells coreside. It plays an important role in determining the progression and metastasis of a tumour. The characteristic of TAM is largely dependent on the stimuli present in its tumour microenvironment (TME). Under this environment, however, M2 macrophages are found to be in abundance compared to M1 macrophages which later promote tumour progression. Numerous studies have elucidated the relationship between TAM and the progression of tumour; hence, TAM has now been the subject of interest among researchers for anticancer therapy. This review discusses the role of TAM in colorectal cancer (CRC) and some of the potential candidates that could reeducate TAM to fight against CRC. It is with hope that this review will serve as the foundation in understanding TAM in CRC and helping other researchers to select the most suitable candidate to reeducate TAM that could assist in enhancing the tumouricidal activity of M1 macrophage and eventually repress the development of CRC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*
  12. The evaluation expression of non-coding RNAs in response to HSV-G47∆ oncolytic virus infection in glioblastoma multiforme cancer stem cells
    Vazifehmand R, Ali DS, Othman Z, Chau DM, Stanslas J, Shafa M, et al.
    J Neurovirol, 2022 Dec;28(4-6):566-582.
    PMID: 35951174 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-022-01089-w
    Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive astrocytes brain tumor. Glioblastoma cancer stem cells and hypoxia conditions are well-known major obstacles in treatment. Studies have revealed that non-coding RNAs serve a critical role in glioblastoma progression, invasion, and resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. The present study examined the expression levels of microRNAs (in normoxic condition) and long non-coding RNAs (in normoxic and hypoxic conditions) in glioblastoma stem cells treated with the HSV-G47∆. The expression levels of 43 miRNAs and 8 lncRNAs isolated from U251-GBM-CSCs were analyzed using a miRCURY LNA custom PCR array and a quantitative PCR assay, respectively. The data revealed that out of 43 miRNAs that only were checked in normoxic condition, the only 8 miRNAs, including miR-7-1, miR-let-7b, miR-130a, miR-137, miR-200b, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-874, were markedly upregulated. The expression levels of lncRNAs, including LEF1 antisense RNA 1 (LEF1-AS1), metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 470 (LINC00470), tumor suppressor candidate 7 (TUSC7), HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), and X inactive specific transcript (XIST), were markedly downregulated in the hypoxic microenvironment, and H19-imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19) was not observed to be dysregulated in this environment. Under normoxic conditions, LEF1-AS1, MALAT1, LINC00470, H19, HOTAIR, NEAT1, and XIST were downregulated and TUSC7 was not targeted by HSV-G47∆. Overall, the present data shows HSVG47Δ treatment deregulates non-coding RNA expression in GBM-CSC tumor microenvironments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
  13. Cell membrane cloaked nanomedicines for bio-imaging and immunotherapy of cancer: Improved pharmacokinetics, cell internalization and anticancer efficacy
    Hussain Z, Rahim MA, Jan N, Shah H, Rawas-Qalaji M, Khan S, et al.
    J Control Release, 2021 07 10;335:130-157.
    PMID: 34015400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.018
    Despite enormous advancements in the field of oncology, the innocuous and effectual treatment of various types of malignancies remained a colossal challenge. The conventional modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have been remained the most viable options for cancer treatment, but lacking of target-specificity, optimum safety and efficacy, and pharmacokinetic disparities are their impliable shortcomings. Though, in recent decades, numerous encroachments in the field of onco-targeted drug delivery have been adapted but several limitations (i.e., short plasma half-life, early clearance by reticuloendothelial system, immunogenicity, inadequate internalization and localization into the onco-tissues, chemoresistance, and deficient therapeutic efficacy) associated with these onco-targeted delivery systems limits their clinical viability. To abolish the aforementioned inadequacies, a promising approach has been emerged in which stealthing of synthetic nanocarriers has been attained by cloaking them into the natural cell membranes. These biomimetic nanomedicines not only retain characteristics features of the synthetic nanocarriers but also inherit the cell-membrane intrinsic functionalities. In this review, we have summarized preparation methods, mechanism of cloaking, and pharmaceutical and therapeutic superiority of cell-membrane camouflaged nanomedicines in improving the bio-imaging and immunotherapy against various types of malignancies. These pliable adaptations have revolutionized the current drug delivery strategies by optimizing the plasma circulation time, improving the permeation into the cancerous microenvironment, escaping the immune evasion and rapid clearance from the systemic circulation, minimizing the immunogenicity, and enabling the cell-cell communication via cell membrane markers of biomimetic nanomedicines. Moreover, the preeminence of cell-membrane cloaked nanomedicines in improving the bio-imaging and theranostic applications, alone or in combination with phototherapy or radiotherapy, have also been pondered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  14. Recent advances in nanoparticles mediated photothermal therapy induced tumor regression
    Kumar AVP, Dubey SK, Tiwari S, Puri A, Hejmady S, Gorain B, et al.
    Int J Pharm, 2021 Sep 05;606:120848.
    PMID: 34216762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120848
    Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating cancer. The two significant prerequisites of PTT are the photothermal therapeutic agent (PTA) and near-infrared radiation (NIR). The PTA absorbs NIR, causing hyperthermia in the malignant cells. This increased temperature at the tumor microenvironment finally results in tumor cell damage. Nanoparticles play a crucial role in PTT, aiding in the passive and active targeting of the PTA to the tumor microenvironment. Through enhanced permeation and retention effect and surface-engineering, specific targeting could be achieved. This novel delivery tool provides the advantages of changing the shape, size, and surface attributes of the carriers containing PTAs, which might facilitate tumor regression significantly. Further, inclusion of surface engineering of nanoparticles is facilitated through ligating ligands specific to overexpressed receptors on the cancer cell surface. Thus, transforming nanoparticles grants the ability to combine different treatment strategies with PTT to enhance cancer treatment. This review emphasizes properties of PTAs, conjugated biomolecules of PTAs, and the combinatorial techniques for a better therapeutic effect of PTT using the nanoparticle platform.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  15. Fulltext CD36-Fatty Acid-Mediated Metastasis via the Bidirectional Interactions of Cancer Cells and Macrophages
    Zaidi NE, Shazali NAH, Leow TC, Osman MA, Ibrahim K, Cheng WH, et al.
    Cells, 2022 Nov 10;11(22).
    PMID: 36428985 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223556
    Tumour heterogeneity refers to the complexity of cell subpopulations coexisting within the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as proliferating tumour cells, tumour stromal cells and infiltrating immune cells. The bidirectional interactions between cancer and the surrounding microenvironment mark the tumour survival and promotion functions, which allow the cancer cells to become invasive and initiate the metastatic cascade. Importantly, these interactions have been closely associated with metabolic reprogramming, which can modulate the differentiation and functions of immune cells and thus initiate the antitumour response. The purpose of this report is to review the CD36 receptor, a prominent cell receptor in metabolic activity specifically in fatty acid (FA) uptake, for the metabolic symbiosis of cancer-macrophage. In this review, we provide an update on metabolic communication between tumour cells and macrophages, as well as how the immunometabolism indirectly orchestrates the tumour metastasis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  16. Fulltext Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Cancer: A Systematic Review
    Chan AML, Cheah JM, Lokanathan Y, Ng MH, Law JX
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Feb 16;24(4).
    PMID: 36835438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044026
    Cancer is the second leading contributor to global deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. The cancer cells are known to interact with the surrounding non-cancerous cells, including the immune cells and stromal cells, within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to modulate the tumor progression, metastasis and resistance. Currently, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the standard treatments for cancers. However, these treatments cause a significant number of side effects, as they damage both the cancer cells and the actively dividing normal cells indiscriminately. Hence, a new generation of immunotherapy using natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes or macrophages was developed to achieve tumor-specific targeting and circumvent the adverse effects. However, the progression of cell-based immunotherapy is hindered by the combined action of TME and TD-EVs, which render the cancer cells less immunogenic. Recently, there has been an increase in interest in using immune cell derivatives to treat cancers. One of the highly potential immune cell derivatives is the NK cell-derived EVs (NK-EVs). As an acellular product, NK-EVs are resistant to the influence of TME and TD-EVs, and can be designed for "off-the-shelf" use. In this systematic review, we examine the safety and efficacy of NK-EVs to treat various cancers in vitro and in vivo.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  17. Fulltext Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characteristics of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Smooth Muscle Tumor Compared With Those of Leiomyoma and Leiomyosarcoma
    Wah NW, Mok Y, Omar N, Chang KTE, Tay TKY, Hue SS, et al.
    Mod Pathol, 2023 Jun;36(6):100127.
    PMID: 36965331 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100127
    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated smooth muscle tumors (EBV-SMTs) are rare smooth muscle neoplasms exclusively associated with immunosuppression, such as in patients with HIV/AIDS, posttransplant, and congenital immunodeficiency. However, the genomic landscape of EBV-SMTs is poorly understood. Leiomyosarcomas harbor genomic instability and multiple recurrent DNA copy number alterations, whereas leiomyomas lack such changes. Thus, this study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by characterizing copy number alterations in EBV-SMTs and correlating this information with clinicopathologic characteristics. Our study investigated and compared the pathologic characteristics and copy number profiles of 9 EBV-SMTs (from 7 post-transplant and AIDS patients), 6 leiomyomas, and 7 leiomyosarcomas, using chromosomal microarray platforms. Our results showed a lower copy number alteration burden in EBV-SMTs and leiomyoma than in leiomyosarcoma. This contrast in the molecular profile between EBV-SMTs and leiomyosarcoma is concordant with the different clinical behaviors and pathologic characteristics exhibited by these tumors. Despite having an overall copy number alteration profile closer to leiomyoma, recurrent copy number gain of oncogenes, such as RUNX1, CCND2, and ETS2, was found in EBV-SMTs. Epigenetic alterations may play an important role in tumorigenesis as recurrent copy number gains were found in histone deacetylases. A gene enrichment analysis also demonstrated enrichment of genes involved in the host response to viral infection, suggesting that the tumor immune microenvironment may play an important role in EBV-SMT tumorigenesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  18. Recent progress of targeted nanocarriers in diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications in colorectal cancer
    Choudhury H, Pandey M, Saravanan V, Mun ATY, Bhattamisra SK, Parikh A, et al.
    Biomater Adv, 2023 Oct;153:213556.
    PMID: 37478770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213556
    Cancer at the lower end of the digestive tract, colorectal cancer (CRC), starts with asymptomatic polyps, which can be diagnosed as cancer at a later stage. It is the fourth leading cause of malignancy-associated mortality worldwide. Despite progress in conventional treatment strategies, the possibility to overcome the mortality and morbidity issues with the enhancement of the lifespan of CRC patients is limited. With the advent of nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, a promising revolution has been made in diagnosis, treatment, and theranostic purposes for cancer management. Herein, we reviewed the progress of miniaturized nanocarriers, such as liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, employed in passive and active targeting and their role in theranostic applications in CRC. With this novel scope, the diagnosis and treatment of CRC have proceeded to the forefront of innovation, where specific characteristics of the nanocarriers, such as processability, flexibility in developing precise architecture, improved circulation, site-specific delivery, and rapid response, facilitate the management of cancer patients. Furthermore, surface-engineered technologies for the nanocarriers could involve receptor-mediated deliveries towards the overexpressed receptors on the CRC microenvironment. Moreover, the potential of clinical translation of these targeted miniaturized formulations as well as the possible limitations and barriers that could impact this translation into clinical practice were highlighted. The advancement of these newest developments in clinical research and progress into the commercialization stage gives hope for a better tomorrow.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  19. The molecular landscape of neurological disorders: insights from single-cell RNA sequencing in neurology and neurosurgery
    Awuah WA, Ahluwalia A, Ghosh S, Roy S, Tan JK, Adebusoye FT, et al.
    Eur J Med Res, 2023 Nov 16;28(1):529.
    PMID: 37974227 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01504-w
    Single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a transformative technology in neurological and neurosurgical research, revolutionising our comprehension of complex neurological disorders. In brain tumours, scRNA-seq has provided valuable insights into cancer heterogeneity, the tumour microenvironment, treatment resistance, and invasion patterns. It has also elucidated the brain tri-lineage cancer hierarchy and addressed limitations of current models. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been molecularly subtyped, dysregulated pathways have been identified, and potential therapeutic targets have been revealed using scRNA-seq. In epilepsy, scRNA-seq has explored the cellular and molecular heterogeneity underlying the condition, uncovering unique glial subpopulations and dysregulation of the immune system. ScRNA-seq has characterised distinct cellular constituents and responses to spinal cord injury in spinal cord diseases, as well as provided molecular signatures of various cell types and identified interactions involved in vascular remodelling. Furthermore, scRNA-seq has shed light on the molecular complexities of cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke, providing insights into specific genes, cell-specific expression patterns, and potential therapeutic interventions. This review highlights the potential of scRNA-seq in guiding precision medicine approaches, identifying clinical biomarkers, and facilitating therapeutic discovery. However, challenges related to data analysis, standardisation, sample acquisition, scalability, and cost-effectiveness need to be addressed. Despite these challenges, scRNA-seq has the potential to transform clinical practice in neurological and neurosurgical research by providing personalised insights and improving patient outcomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
  20. Fulltext The trends and hotspots of immunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer from 2013 to 2022: A bibliometric and visual analysis
    Gong Y, Kang J, Wang M, Hayati F, Syed Abdul Rahim SS, Poh Wah Goh L
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2312599.
    PMID: 38356280 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2312599
    An increasing body of research indicates that immunotherapy has demonstrated substantial effectiveness in the realm of metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC), especially among patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) (dMMR/MSI-H mCRC). This study constitutes the inaugural bibliometric and visual analysis of immunotherapy related to mCRC during the last decade. Between 2013 and the conclusion of 2022, we screened 306 articles from Web of Science and subjected them to analysis using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. The United States stood out as the primary contributor in this area, representing 33.33% of the publications, with China following closely at 24.51%. The most prolific institution has the lowest average citation rate. Sorbonne University were the most highly cited institutions. Notably, Frontiers In Oncology published the largest quantity of articles. Andre, Thierry, and Overman, Michael J. were prominent authors known for their prolific output and the high citation rates of their work. The focus areas in this field encompass "tumor microenvironment," "liver metastasis," "tumor-associated macrophages," "combination therapy" and "gut microbiota." Some keywords offer promise as potential biomarkers for evaluating the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic interventions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Microenvironment
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