scholarly journals Targeting Autophagy in Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7836
Author(s):  
Stefania Cocco ◽  
Alessandra Leone ◽  
Michela Piezzo ◽  
Roberta Caputo ◽  
Vincenzo Di Lauro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Tumor Cell Death ◽  
Homeostatic Process ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Enhance Tumor Cell

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease consisting of different biological subtypes, with differences in terms of incidence, response to diverse treatments, risk of disease progression, and sites of metastases. In the last years, several molecular targets have emerged and new drugs, targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR and cyclinD/CDK/pRb pathways and tumor microenvironment have been integrated into clinical practice. However, it is clear now that breast cancer is able to develop resistance to these drugs and the identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms is paramount to drive further drug development. Autophagy is a highly conserved homeostatic process that can be activated in response to antineoplastic agents as a cytoprotective mechanism. Inhibition of autophagy could enhance tumor cell death by diverse anti-cancer therapies, representing an attractive approach to control mechanisms of drug resistance. In this manuscript, we present a review of autophagy focusing on its interplay with targeted drugs used for breast cancer treatment.

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

Prevascularized, Co-Culture Model for Breast Cancer Drug Development

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Marshall ◽  
Isabel Löwstedt ◽  
Paul Gatenholm ◽  
Joel Berry
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Anti Cancer

The objective of this study was to create 3D engineered tissue models to accelerate identification of safe and efficacious breast cancer drug therapies. It is expected that this platform will dramatically reduce the time and costs associated with development and regulatory approval of anti-cancer therapies, currently a multi-billion dollar endeavor [1]. Existing two-dimensional (2D) in vitro and in vivo animal studies required for identification of effective cancer therapies account for much of the high costs of anti-cancer medications and health insurance premiums borne by patients, many of whom cannot afford it. An emerging paradigm in pharmaceutical drug development is the use of three-dimensional (3D) cell/biomaterial models that will accurately screen novel therapeutic compounds, repurpose existing compounds and terminate ineffective ones. In particular, identification of effective chemotherapies for breast cancer are anticipated to occur more quickly in 3D in vitro models than 2D in vitro environments and in vivo animal models, neither of which accurately mimic natural human tumor environments [2]. Moreover, these 3D models can be multi-cellular and designed with extracellular matrix (ECM) function and mechanical properties similar to that of natural in vivo cancer environments [3].

Breast Cancer Therapeutics Based on Fusarochromanone and EGFR Inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Carroll ◽  
Alena Smith ◽  
Brian A. Salvatore ◽  
Elahe Mahdavian
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Egfr Inhibitors ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Racemic Form ◽  
Combination Treatments ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Cancer Agent ◽  
Cancer Activity

Abstract Background: Fusarochromanone (FC101) is a small molecule with potent anti-cancer activity. It was originally derived from the fungal plant pathogen, Fusarium equiseti, and it has also been synthesized in non-racemic form in our lab. Numerous studies reveal the promising biological activity of FC101, including potent anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activity. While FC101 is potent as a single drug treatment across many cancer cell lines, current cancer therapies often incorporate a combination of drugs in order to increase efficacy and decrease the development of drug resistance. In this study, we leverage drug combinations and cellular phenotypic screens to address important questions about FC101’s mode of action and its potential synergies as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).Method: We hypothesized that FC101’s activity against TNBC is similar to the known mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, because FC101 reduces the phosphorylation of two key mTOR substrates, S6K and S6. Since everolimus synergistically enhances the anti-cancer activities of known EGFR inhibitors (erlotinib or lapatinib) in TNBC, we performed analogous studies with FC101. Phenotypic cellular assays helped assess whether FC101 (in both single and combination treatments) acts similarly to everolimus.Results: FC101 outperformed all other single treatments in both cell proliferation and viability assays. Unlike everolimus, however, FC101 brought about a sustained decrease in cell viability in drug washout studies. None of the other drugs were able to maintain comparable effects upon removal of the treatment agents. Although we observed slightly additive effects when the TNBC cells were treated with FC101 and either EGFR inhibitor, those effects were not truly synergistic in the manner displayed with everolimus. Conclusion: Our results rule out direct inhibition of mTOR by FC101 and suggest that FC101 acts through a different mechanism than everolimus. This lays the foundation for the refinement of our hypothesis in order to better understand FC101’s mode of action as a novel anti-cancer agent.

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 PD-L1 Blockade by Atezolizumab Downregulates Signaling Pathways Associated with Tumor Growth, Metastasis, and Hypoxia in Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Saleh ◽  
Rowaida Z. Taha ◽  
Varun Sasidharan Nair ◽  
Nehad M. Alajez ◽  
Eyad Elkord
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, which shows resistance to common breast cancer therapies, as it lacks the expression of the most common breast cancer targets. Therefore, TNBC treatment remains a challenge. Targeting programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), for example, atezolizumab, has revolutionized the treatment for various cancer types. However, the therapeutic efficacy of targeting PD-L1 in TNBC is currently under investigation. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which the human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, expressing PD-L1, responds to atezolizumab, using RNA-Seq. Transcriptome analysis revealed 388 upregulated and 362 downregulated genes in response to atezolizumab treatment. The expression of selected genes, from RNA-Seq data, was subsequently validated using RT-qPCR in the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells following atezolizumab treatment. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that atezolizumab downregulates genes promoting cell migration/invasion and metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell growth/proliferation/survival, and hypoxia. On the contrary, genes associated with apoptosis and DNA repair were upregulated in response to atezolizumab treatment. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed that a significant number of these genes are related to the NF-kB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, and CD40 signaling pathways. Using functional assays, we confirmed that atezolizumab increases MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis/necrosis, and reduces their proliferation and viability. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms/signaling pathways by which atezolizumab exerts inhibitory effects on TNBC, thereby inhibiting EMT/metastasis, tumor growth/survival, and the induction of hypoxia.

Repurposing Disulfiram as An Anti-Cancer Agent: Updated Review on Literature and Patents

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmira Ekinci ◽  
Sagar Rohondia ◽  
Raheel Khan ◽  
Qingping P. Dou
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Chronic Alcoholism ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Cancer Drugs ◽  
Anti Cancer

Background:Despite years of success of most anti-cancer drugs, one of the major clinical problems is inherent and acquired resistance to these drugs. Overcoming the drug resistance or developing new drugs would offer promising strategies in cancer treatment. Disulfiram, a drug currently used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, has been found to have anti-cancer activity.Objective:To summarize the anti-cancer effects of Disulfiram through a thorough patent review.Methods:This article reviews molecular mechanisms and recent patents of Disulfiram in cancer therapy.Results:Several anti-cancer mechanisms of Disulfiram have been proposed, including triggering oxidative stress by the generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of the superoxide dismutase activity, suppression of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In addition, Disulfiram can reverse the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs by inhibiting the P-glycoprotein multidrug efflux pump and suppressing the activation of NF-kB, both of which play an important role in the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, Disulfiram has been found to reduce angiogenesis because of its metal chelating properties as well as its ability to inactivate Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and matrix metalloproteinases. Disulfiram has also been shown to inhibit the proteasomes, DNA topoisomerases, DNA methyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase P1, and O6- methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, a DNA repair protein highly expressed in brain tumors. The patents described in this review demonstrate that Disulfiram is useful as an anti-cancer drug.Conclusion:For years the FDA-approved, well-tolerated, inexpensive, orally-administered drug Disulfiram was used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, but it has recently demonstrated anti-cancer effects in a range of solid and hematological malignancies. Its combination with copper at clinically relevant concentrations might overcome the resistance of many anti-cancer drugs in vitro, in vivo, and in patients.

scholarly journals The Anti-Cancer Effect of Polyphenols against Breast Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells: Molecular Mechanisms

Nutrients ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdal Dayem ◽  
Hye Choi ◽  
Gwang-Mo Yang ◽  
Kyeongseok Kim ◽  
Subbroto Saha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Anti Cancer

Effects of propolis and its bioactive components on breast cancer cell pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Rina Masadah ◽  
Dzul Ikram ◽  
Syahrul Rauf
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Na Channel ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Bioactive Components ◽  
Chemopreventive Agents ◽  
Bioactive Ingredients ◽  
Target Molecules

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a female malignancy that is a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Currently, investigations on natural ingredients as new candidates for chemopreventive agents and breast cancer chemotherapies are increasing. Propolis is a natural resinous material produced by honeybees that exhibit anticancer potential. Several studies have mentioned the major bioactive compounds of propolis, but their mechanism of action is not clearly understood. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to collect and summarize the evidence related to the effectiveness of propolis and its bioactive contents as candidates for breast cancer therapy and analyze the molecular mechanisms involved in their therapeutic pathways. METHODS: We reviewed 94 articles from journals and databases, extracted the results, and produced summaries and conclusions. RESULTS: Propolis and its bioactive ingredients show cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, pro-autophagic, anti-metastatic, and antioxidant activities, as well as synergistic effects with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in breast cancer. Its therapeutic activity involves various target molecules, including NF-κβ, Fas receptors, p53, TLR4, ANXA7, and voltage-gated Na+ channel (VGSC). CONCLUSION: The bioactive components of propolis and the target molecules involved need to be explored further to develop new breast cancer therapies and overcome the problem of chemoradiation resistance.

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