scholarly journals Improving Cancer Immunotherapy by Targeting the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment: New Opportunities and Challenges

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zaeem Noman ◽  
Meriem Hasmim ◽  
Audrey Lequeux ◽  
Malina Xiao ◽  
Caroline Duhem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Hallmarks Of Cancer ◽  
The Past ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Microenvironmental Factors ◽  
Hypoxic Tumor ◽  
Insight Into

Initially believed to be a disease of deregulated cellular and genetic expression, cancer is now also considered a disease of the tumor microenvironment. Over the past two decades, significant and rapid progress has been made to understand the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and its contribution to shaping the response to various anti-cancer therapies, including immunotherapy. Nevertheless, it has become clear that the tumor microenvironment is one of the main hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, a major challenge is to identify key druggable factors and pathways in the tumor microenvironment that can be manipulated to improve the efficacy of current cancer therapies. Among the different tumor microenvironmental factors, this review will focus on hypoxia as a key process that evolved in the tumor microenvironment. We will briefly describe our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which hypoxia negatively affects tumor immunity and shapes the anti-tumor immune response. We believe that such understanding will provide insight into the therapeutic value of targeting hypoxia and assist in the design of innovative combination approaches to improve the efficacy of current cancer therapies, including immunotherapy.

Novel Findings of Anti-cancer Property of Propofol

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaqiang Wang ◽  
Chien-shan Cheng ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Xiaowei Ding ◽  
Minmin Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Intravenous Anesthetic ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Recent Attention

Background: Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent, is traditionally applied for sedation and general anesthesia. Explanation: Recent attention has been drawn to explore the effect and mechanisms of propofol against cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing properties of propofol in cancer have been studied. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Conclusion: This review focused on the findings within the past ten years and aimed to provide a general overview of propofol's malignance-modulating properties and the potential molecular mechanisms.

Understanding Molecular Process and Chemotherapeutics for the Management of Breast Cancer.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kumar ◽  
Neeraj Masand ◽  
Vaishali M. Patil
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Molecular Classification ◽  
Neoplastic Disease ◽  
Molecular Process ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Molecular Etiology ◽  
Near Future

Abstract: Breast cancer is the most common and highly heterogeneous neoplastic disease comprised of several subtypes with distinct molecular etiology and clinical behaviours. The mortality observed over the past few decades and the failure in eradicating the disease is due to the lack of specific etiology, molecular mechanisms involved in initiation and progression of breast cancer. Understanding of the molecular classes of breast cancer may also lead to new biological insights and eventually to better therapies. The promising therapeutic targets and novel anti-cancer approaches emerging from these molecular targets that could be applied clinically in the near future are being highlighted. In addition, this review discusses some of the details of current molecular classification and available chemotherapeutics

Formation, translocation and resolution of Holliday junctions during homologous genetic recombination

1995 ◽  
Vol 347 (1319) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Holliday Junctions ◽  
The Novel ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Past ◽  
Endonucleolytic Cleavage ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Made In

Over the past three or four years, great strides have been made in our understanding of the proteins involved in recombination and the mechanisms by which recombinant molecules are formed. This review summarizes our current understanding of the process by focusing on recent studies of proteins involved in the later steps of recombination in bacteria. In particular, biochemical investigation of the in vitro properties of the E. coli RuvA, RuvB and RuvC proteins have provided our first insight into the novel molecular mechanisms by which Holliday junctions are moved along DNA and then resolved by endonucleolytic cleavage.

scholarly journals Exploring the Diversity of the Marine Environment for New Anti-cancer Compounds

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya L. Dayanidhi ◽  
Beatrice C. Thomas ◽  
Joshua S. Osterberg ◽  
Mallissa Vuong ◽  
Giselle Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Marine Environments ◽  
Cancer Drugs ◽  
Hallmarks Of Cancer ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Untapped Resource

Marine ecosystems contain over 80% of the world’s biodiversity, and many of these organisms have evolved unique adaptations enabling survival in diverse and challenging environments. The biodiversity within the world’s oceans is a virtually untapped resource for the isolation and development of novel compounds, treatments, and solutions to combat human disease. In particular, while over half of our anti-cancer drugs are derived from natural sources, almost all of these are from terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, even from the limited analyses to date, a number of marine-derived anti-cancer compounds have been approved for clinical use, and several others are currently in clinical trials. Here, we review the current suite of marine-derived anti-cancer drugs, with a focus on how these compounds act upon the hallmarks of cancer. We highlight potential marine environments and species that could yield compounds with unique mechanisms. Continued exploration of marine environments, along with the characterization and screening of their inhabitants for unique bioactive chemicals, could prove fruitful in the hunt for novel anti-cancer therapies.

scholarly journals Microbes as Medicines: Harnessing the Power of Bacteria in Advancing Cancer Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 7575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti S. Sawant ◽  
Suyash M. Patil ◽  
Vivek Gupta ◽  
Nitesh K. Kunda
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Tumor Environment ◽  
Systemic Side Effects ◽  
Hypoxic Tumor

Conventional anti-cancer therapy involves the use of chemical chemotherapeutics and radiation and are often non-specific in action. The development of drug resistance and the inability of the drug to penetrate the tumor cells has been a major pitfall in current treatment. This has led to the investigation of alternative anti-tumor therapeutics possessing greater specificity and efficacy. There is a significant interest in exploring the use of microbes as potential anti-cancer medicines. The inherent tropism of the bacteria for hypoxic tumor environment and its ability to be genetically engineered as a vector for gene and drug therapy has led to the development of bacteria as a potential weapon against cancer. In this review, we will introduce bacterial anti-cancer therapy with an emphasis on the various mechanisms involved in tumor targeting and tumor suppression. The bacteriotherapy approaches in conjunction with the conventional cancer therapy can be effective in designing novel cancer therapies. We focus on the current progress achieved in bacterial cancer therapies that show potential in advancing existing cancer treatment options and help attain positive clinical outcomes with minimal systemic side-effects.

scholarly journals Purinergic P2X7 Receptor: A Cation Channel Sensitive to Tumor Microenvironment

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Scarpellino ◽  
Tullio Genova ◽  
Luca Munaron
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Progression ◽  
P2x7 Receptor ◽  
Purinergic Receptor ◽  
Purinergic Signalling ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Purinergic P2x7 Receptor ◽  
And Function

Background: Purinergic signalling is involved in several physiological and pathophysiological processes. P2X7 Receptor (P2X7R) is a calcium-permeable ion channel that is gaining interest as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of different diseases including inflammation, pain, psychiatric disorders and cancer. P2X7R is ubiquitously expressed and sensitive to high ATP levels, usually found in tumor microenvironment. P2X7R regulates several cell functions, from migration to cell death, but its selective contribution to tumor progression remains controversial.Objective:Current review was conducted to check involvement of P2X7R use in cancer treatment.Methods:We review the most recent patents focused on the use of P2X7R in the treatment of cancer.Results:P2X7R is an intriguing purinergic receptor that plays different roles in tumor progression.Conclusion:Powerful strategies able to selectively interfere with its expression and function should reveal helpful in the development of new anti-cancer therapies.

Molecular mechanisms for vascular complications of targeted cancer therapies

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (20) ◽  
pp. 1763-1779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srila Gopal ◽  
Kenneth B. Miller ◽  
Iris Z. Jaffe
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Vascular Complication ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Vegf Inhibitors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Targeted Cancer Therapies

Molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment by improving both quality of life and survival in cancer patients. However, many of these drugs are associated with cardiovascular toxicities that are sometimes dose-limiting. Moreover, the long-term cardiovascular consequences of these drugs, some of which are used chronically, are not yet known. Although the scope and mechanisms of the cardiac toxicities are better defined, the mechanisms for vascular toxicities are only beginning to be elucidated. This review summarizes what is known about the vascular adverse events associated with three classes of novel anti-cancer therapies: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, breakpoint cluster-Abelson (BCR-ABL) kinase inhibitors used to treat chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) and immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) used in myeloma therapeutics. Three of the best described vascular toxicities are reviewed including hypertension, increased risk of acute cardiovascular ischaemic events and arteriovenous thrombosis. The available data regarding the mechanism by which each therapy causes vascular complication are summarized. When data are limited, potential mechanisms are inferred from the known effects of inhibiting each target on vascular cell function and disease. Enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vascular side effects of targeted cancer therapy is necessary to effectively manage cancer patients and to design safer targeted cancer therapies for the future.

scholarly journals How plausible is the use of dietary n-3 PUFA in the adjuvant therapy of cancer?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Serini ◽  
Renata Ottes Vasconcelos ◽  
Elena Fasano ◽  
Gabriella Calviello
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Considerable Effort ◽  
Antineoplastic Effect ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Considerable Debate ◽  
Carcinogenic Effects ◽  
Lower Drug

AbstractConsiderable debate exists regarding the potential antineoplastic effect of dietary long-chain n-3 PUFA contained in fatty fishes. Since the majority of published data has proven that their intake does not induce toxic or carcinogenic effects in humans, their possible preventive use against cancer has been suggested. On the other hand, it is unlikely that they could be effective in cancer patients as a single therapy. Nevertheless, a considerable effort has been put forth in recent years to evaluate the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA might improve the antineoplastic efficiency of currently used anticancer agents. The rationale for this therapeutic combinatory strategy is trying to increase cancer sensitivity to conventional therapies. This could allow the use of lower drug/radiation doses and, thereby, a reduction in the detrimental health effects associated with these treatments. We will here critically examine the studies that have investigated this possibility, by focusing particularly on the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effect of these combined treatments. A possible use of n-3 PUFA in combination with the innovative single-targeted anti-cancer therapies, that often are not completely devoid of dangerous side-effects, is also suggested.

scholarly journals Nematostella vectensis, an Emerging Model for Deciphering the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Whole-Body Regeneration

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2692
Author(s):  
Eric Röttinger
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Organism ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Nematostella Vectensis ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Regenerative Capacity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Insight Into

The capacity to regenerate lost or injured body parts is a widespread feature within metazoans and has intrigued scientists for centuries. One of the most extreme types of regeneration is the so-called whole body regenerative capacity, which enables regeneration of fully functional organisms from isolated body parts. While not exclusive to this habitat, whole body regeneration is widespread in aquatic/marine invertebrates. Over the past decade, new whole-body research models have emerged that complement the historical models Hydra and planarians. Among these, the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis has attracted increasing interest in regard to deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the whole-body regeneration process. This manuscript will present an overview of the biological features of this anthozoan cnidarian as well as the available tools and resources that have been developed by the scientific community studying Nematostella. I will further review our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying whole-body regeneration in this marine organism, with emphasis on how comparing embryonic development and regeneration in the same organism provides insight into regeneration specific elements.

scholarly journals Endothelial YAP/TAZ Signaling in Angiogenesis and Tumor Vasculature

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aukie Hooglugt ◽  
Miesje M. van der Stoel ◽  
Reinier A. Boon ◽  
Stephan Huveneers
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Metastasis ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Tumor Cell Growth ◽  
Vascular Normalization ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Tumor Endothelium

Solid tumors are dependent on vascularization for their growth. The hypoxic, stiff, and pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment induces angiogenesis, giving rise to an immature, proliferative, and permeable vasculature. The tumor vessels promote tumor metastasis and complicate delivery of anti-cancer therapies. In many types of tumors, YAP/TAZ activation is correlated with increased levels of angiogenesis. In addition, endothelial YAP/TAZ activation is important for the formation of new blood and lymphatic vessels during development. Oncogenic activation of YAP/TAZ in tumor cell growth and invasion has been studied in great detail, however the role of YAP/TAZ within the tumor endothelium remains insufficiently understood, which complicates therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting YAP/TAZ in cancer. Here, we overview the upstream signals from the tumor microenvironment that control endothelial YAP/TAZ activation and explore the role of their downstream targets in driving tumor angiogenesis. We further discuss the potential for anti-cancer treatments and vascular normalization strategies to improve tumor therapies.

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