Knockdown of Atg7 Induces Nuclear-LC3 Dependent Apoptosis and Augments Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Autophagy is a catabolic process that enables cells to degrade obsolete content and refuel energy depots. In colorectal cancer (CRC) autophagy has been shown to promote tumorigenesis through energy delivery in the condition of uncontrolled proliferation. With this study, we aimed at evaluating whether autophagy sustains CRC cell viability and if it impacts therapy resistance.

Bcl-xL is an oncogenic driver in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignant neoplasia in women and men worldwide. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family is mainly known for its pivotal role in the regulation of the mitochondrial death pathway. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins may provide survival benefits and induce therapy resistance in cancer cells.

Pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor Obatoclax is a potent late stage autophagy inhibitor in colorectal cancer cells independent of canonical autophagy signaling.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in humans and novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Autophagy is an evolutionarily highly conserved cellular process by which cells collect unnecessary organelles or misfolded proteins and subsequently degrade them in vesicular structures in order to refuel cells with energy. Dysregulation of the complex autophagy signaling network has been shown to contribute to the onset and progression of cancer in various models.

Development of a competency-based formative progress test with student-generated MCQs: Results from a multi-centre pilot study.

Introduction: Progress tests provide students feedback on their level of proficiency over the course of their medical studies. Peer-assisted learning and competency-based education have become increasingly important in medical education. Although progress tests have been proven to be useful as a longitudinal feedback instrument, there are currently no progress tests that have been created in cooperation with students or that focus on competency in medical education.

Obatoclax as a perpetrator in drug-drug interactions and its efficacy in multidrug resistance cell lines.

Objectives: Obatoclax is a pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor with promising efficacy, especially when combined with other antineoplastic agents. Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions can occur systemically and at the level of the tumour cell. Thus, this study scrutinised the interaction potential of obatoclax in vitro.