Recent Advances in Nanotechnology with Nano-Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Cancer Progression

Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) containing polymers, lipids (liposomes and micelles), dendrimers, ferritin, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, ceramic, magnetic materials, and gold/silver have contributed to imaging diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy. However, only some NP drugs, including Doxil® (liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin), Abraxane® (albumin-bound paclitaxel), and Oncaspar® (PEG-Asparaginase), have emerged on the pharmaceutical market to date. By contrast, several phytochemicals that were found to be effective in cultured cancer cells and animal studies have not shown significant efficacy in humans due to poor bioavailability and absorption, rapid clearance, resistance, and toxicity. Research to overcome these drawbacks by using phytochemical NPs remains in the early stages of clinical translation. Thus, in the current review, we discuss the progress in nanotechnology, research milestones, the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals encapsulated in NPs, and clinical implications. Several challenges that must be overcome and future research perspectives are also described.

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The Role of Omics Approaches to Characterize Molecular Mechanisms of Rare Ovarian Cancers: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9101481 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1481

Author(s):

Yashwanth Subbannayya ◽

Riccardo Di Fiore ◽

Silvana Anna Maria Urru ◽

Jean Calleja-Agius

Keyword(s):

Cancer Progression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Delayed Diagnosis ◽

Cancer Recurrence ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Ovarian Cancers ◽

Current Review ◽

Mechanisms Of Carcinogenesis ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Rare ovarian cancers are ovarian cancers with an annual incidence of less than 6 cases per 100,000 women. They generally have a poor prognosis due to being delayed diagnosis and treatment. Exploration of molecular mechanisms in these cancers has been challenging due to their rarity and research efforts being fragmented across the world. Omics approaches can provide detailed molecular snapshots of the underlying mechanisms of these cancers. Omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, can identify potential candidate biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and screening of rare gynecological cancers and can aid in identifying therapeutic targets. The integration of multiple omics techniques using approaches such as proteogenomics can provide a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Further, omics approaches can provide clues towards developing immunotherapies, cancer recurrence, and drug resistance in tumors; and form a platform for personalized medicine. The current review focuses on the application of omics approaches and integrative biology to gain a better understanding of rare ovarian cancers.

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An exploration of the role of exercise in modulating breast cancer progression in vitro (a systematic review and meta-analysis)

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00461.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marie-Juliet Brown ◽

Mhairi A. Morris ◽

Elizabeth C. Akam

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cell ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Future Research ◽

Exercise Interventions

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. In the UK, approximately 5% of all breast cancers are already metastatic at the time of diagnosis. An abundance of literature shows exercise can have beneficial effects on the outcome and prognosis of breast cancer patients, yet the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. There are several in vitro models that aim to recapitulate the response of breast cancer to exercise in vivo: this systematic review and meta-analysis summarises the existing literature. Methods: The following search terms were used to conduct a systematic literature search using a collection of databases (last search performed May 2020): 'in vitro' and 'exercise' and 'breast cancer'. Only studies that investigated the effects of exercise on breast cancer in vitro were included. Standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to determine pooled effect sizes. Results: This meta-analysis has successfully demonstrated that various identified exercise interventions on breast cancer cells in vitro significantly reduced breast cancer cell viability, proliferation, and tumourigenic potential (SMD: -1.76, p = 0.004, SMD: -2.85, p = 0.003 and SMD: -3.15, p = 0.0008, respectively). A clear direction of effect was found with exercise on breast cancer cell migration in vitro, however this effect was not significant (SMD: -0.62, p = 0.317). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis and systematic review investigating and summarising literature on exercise and breast cancer in vitro, highlighting models used and priority areas for future research focus.

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Preventive Aspects of Early Resveratrol Supplementation in Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease of Developmental Origins

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22084210 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 4210

Author(s):

Chien-Ning Hsu ◽

Chih-Yao Hou ◽

You-Lin Tain

Keyword(s):

Kidney Disease ◽

Early Life ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Future Research ◽

Developmental Origins ◽

Polyphenolic Compound

The increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and kidney disease has stimulated research for strategies that could prevent, rather than just treat, both interconnected disorders. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound with pleiotropic biofunctions, has shown health benefits. Emerging epidemiological data supports that early life environmental insults are regarded as increased risks of developing CVDs and kidney disease in adulthood. Conversely, both disorders could be reversed or postponed by shifting interventions from adulthood to earlier stage by so-called reprogramming. The purpose of this review is first to highlight current epidemiological studies linking cardiovascular and renal programming to resulting CVD and kidney disease of developmental origins. This will be followed by a summary of how resveratrol could exert a positive influence on CVDs and kidney disease. This review also presents an overview of the evidence documenting resveratrol as a reprogramming agent to protect against CVD and kidney disease of developmental origins from animal studies and to outline the advances in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Overall, this review reveals the need for future research to further clarify the reprogramming effects of resveratrol before clinical translation.

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The Microenvironmental Effect in the Progression, Metastasis, and Dormancy of Breast Cancer: A Model System within Bone Marrow

International Journal of Breast Cancer ◽

10.1155/2012/721659 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Bobby Y. Reddy ◽

Philip K. Lim ◽

Kimberly Silverio ◽

Shyam A. Patel ◽

Brian Wong Won ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cancer Metastasis ◽

Treatment Options ◽

The United States ◽

Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽

Future Research

Despite diagnostic advances, breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women in the United States. The armamentarium of treatment options for metastatic disease is limited and mostly ineffective with regards to eradicating cancer. However, there have been novel findings in the recent literature that substantiate the function of the microenvironment in breast cancer progression and the support of metastasis to tertiary sites such as bone marrow. The uncovered significance of the microenvironment in the pathophysiology of breast cancer metastasis has served to challenge previously widespread theories and introduce new perspectives for the future research to eradicate breast cancer. This paper delineates the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the interactions between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment in progression, metastasis, and dormancy. The information, in addition to other mechanisms described in bone marrow, is discussed in the paper.

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Multifaceted Function of Myosin-18, an Unconventional Class of the Myosin Superfamily

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.632445 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Zhaohui Ouyang ◽

Shuangshuang Zhao ◽

Su Yao ◽

Jing Wang ◽

Yanqin Cui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Motility ◽

Mammalian Cells ◽

Intracellular Transport ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Muscle Development ◽

Focal Adhesions ◽

Transport Processes ◽

Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Perspectives

Myosin is a diverse superfamily of motor proteins responsible for actin-based motility and contractility in eukaryotic cells. Myosin-18 family, including myosin-18A and myosin-18B, belongs to an unconventional class of myosin, which lacks ATPase motor activity, and the investigations on their functions and molecular mechanisms in vertebrate development and diseases have just been initiated in recent years. Myosin-18A is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, whereas myosin-18B shows strong enrichment in striated muscles. Myosin-18 family is important for cell motility, sarcomere formation, and mechanosensing, mostly by interacting with other cytoskeletal proteins and cellular apparatus. Myosin-18A participates in several intracellular transport processes, such as Golgi trafficking, and has multiple roles in focal adhesions, stress fibers, and lamellipodia formation. Myosin-18B, on the other hand, participates in actomyosin alignment and sarcomere assembly, thus relating to cell migration and muscle contractility. Mutations of either Myo18a or Myo18b cause cardiac developmental defects in mouse, emphasizing their crucial role in muscle development and cardiac diseases. In this review, we revisit the discovery history of myosin-18s and summarize the evolving understanding of the molecular functions of myosin-18A and myosin-18B, with an emphasis on their separate yet closely related functions in cell motility and contraction. Moreover, we discuss the diseases tightly associated with myosin-18s, especially cardiovascular defects and cancer, as well as highlight the unanswered questions and potential future research perspectives on myosin-18s.

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A Systematic Review of Long Noncoding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Implications

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/8126208 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Xiaoge Hu ◽

Jiahong Jiang ◽

Qiuran Xu ◽

Chao Ni ◽

Liu Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Potential Role ◽

Noncoding Rnas ◽

Long Noncoding Rnas ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Current Review ◽

Complex Process

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the second highest mortality rate worldwide among all cancers. Previous studies have revealed the significant involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in numerous human cancers including HCC. Both oncogenic and tumor repressive lncRNAs have been identified and implicated in the complex process of hepatocarcinogenesis. They can be further explored as prospective diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers for HCC. An in-depth understanding of lncRNAs’ mechanism in HCC is therefore required to fully explore their potential role. In the current review, we will concentrate on the underlying function, molecular mechanisms, and potential clinical implications of lncRNA in HCC.

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Person-Centered Psychiatry as Dialogical Psychiatry: The Significance of the Therapeutic Stance

Psychopathology ◽

10.1159/000519501 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Laura Galbusera ◽

Thomas Fuchs ◽

Rainer M. Holm-Hadulla ◽

Samuel Thoma

Keyword(s):

Societal Implications ◽

Future Research ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Research Perspectives ◽

Clinical Considerations ◽

Person Centered Approach

In this article, we present holistic and <i>person-centered</i> perspectives in psychiatry, with the aim of better understanding what a focus on personhood might really mean and what clinical implications it might have. We first introduce classical and philosophical concepts of personhood, in order to then outline person-centered approaches in psychiatry, which mainly focus on the person of the patient. We then argue that, for it to really be person-centered, psychiatry must necessarily also focus on the person of professionals. We thus explore the notion of stance, as the expression of the therapist’s personhood. By unpacking the effects that a professional’s stance can have on patients, we finally turn to a consideration of the interpersonal sphere. More specifically, we propose clinical considerations on a therapeutic stance that strives to support and to help the person of the patient unfold. Such a stance must – we argue – necessarily be a dialogical one. Drawing on these considerations, we thus claim that a truly person-centered approach in psychiatry must necessarily and automatically be <i>interperson-centered</i> and dialogical. In the concluding remarks, we finally discuss broader societal implications and outline future research perspectives.

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