Calix[6]arene dismantles extracellular vesicle biogenesis and metalloproteinases that support pancreatic cancer hallmarks.

Many challenges are faced in pancreatic cancer treatment due to late diagnosis and poor prognosis because of high recurrence and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), besides acting in intercellular communication, are key players in the cancer cell plasticity responsible for initiating metastasis. Therefore, these entities provide valuable targets for the development of better treatments.

Violacein improves vemurafenib response in melanoma spheroids.

Chemotherapy resistance is one of the main challenges in melanoma treatment. Violacein, a natural pigment produced by , induces apoptosis in a variety of tumours, including melanoma. Here, we used BRAF-mutated melanoma spheroids to test the potential of violacein as a sensitizer of cellular viability and levels of the proteins p62 and fatty acid synthase (FASN).

Colorectal Cancer Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Educate Human Fibroblasts to Stimulate Migratory Capacity.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is in the top 10 cancers most prevalent worldwide, affecting equally men and women. Current research on tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) suggests that these small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play an important role in mediating cell-to-cell communication and thus potentially affecting cancer progression multiple pathways. In the present study, we hypothesized that sEVs derived from different CRC cell lines differ in their ability to reprogram normal human fibroblasts through a process called tumor education.

A comprehensive review on the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in gastric cancer development and progression.

The main post-translational reversible modulation of proteins is phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, catalyzed by protein kinases (PKs) and protein phosphatases (PPs) which is crucial for homeostasis. Imbalance in this crosstalk can be related to diseases, including cancer. Plenty of evidence indicates that protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) can act as tumor suppressors and tumor promoters.

Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase as signaling hub of cancer hallmarks.

In the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase as a positive regulator of tumor progression. In this scenario, our group was one of the first to report the involvement of the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMWPTP or ACP1) in the process of resistance and migration of tumor cells. Later, we and others demonstrated a positive correlation between the amount of this enzyme in human tumors and the poor prognosis.

Calix[6]arene diminishes receptor tyrosine kinase lifespan in pancreatic cancer cells and inhibits their migration and invasion efficiency.

Pancreatic cancer is a challenging malignancy, mainly due to aggressive regional involvement, early systemic dissemination, high recurrence rate, and subsequent low patient survival. Scientific advances have contributed in particular by identification of molecular targets as well as the definition of the mechanism of action of the drug candidate in the cellular microenvironment. Previously, we have reported the identification of the molecular mechanisms by which calix[6]arene (CLX6) reduces the viability and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.

Vemurafenib downmodulates aggressiveness mediators of colorectal cancer (CRC): Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (LMWPTP), Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ).

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) therapy confronts challenges as chemoresistance and side effects. Therefore, drugs with antitumor properties that downmodulate aggressiveness mediators are required. Studies have shown the relevance of Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (LMWPTP), Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) in mediating proliferation, chemoresistance, and metastasis.

Platelets as a 'natural factory' for growth factor production that sustains normal (and pathological) cell biology.

Platelets have attracted substantial attention in the current decade owing to their unexpected pleiotropic properties and conflicted functions. In fact, platelets participate in both health (hemostasis) and disease (thrombotic diseases). Much of the plasticity of platelets comes from the fact that platelets are the reservoir and the 'natural factory' of growth factors (GFs), with pivotal functions in wound repair and tissue regeneration.

Antiproliferative xylan from corn cobs induces apoptosis in tumor cells.

Xylan is one of the most abundant hemicellulose constituents in the plant kingdom. We extracted xylan from corn cobs (XCC) using ultrasound. The structure of XCC was determined by NMR analysis, which revealed a composition of xylose:glucose:arabinose:galactose:mannose:glucuronic acid in a molar percentage ratio of 48:21:16:10:2.

Action and function of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in health and disease.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, anaerobic bacteria, is one of the main components of gut microbiota and the most important butyrate-producing bacteria in the human colon. So far, this commensal bacterium has been considered as a bioindicator of human health, once when its population is altered (decreased), inflammatory processes are favored. Several reports in the literature highlighted that the amount of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii negatively correlates to the activity of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

(-)-Tarchonanthuslactone: Design of New Analogues, Evaluation of their Antiproliferative Activity on Cancer Cell Lines, and Preliminary Mechanistic Studies.

Natural products containing the α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone skeleton have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. The natural product (-)-tarchonanthuslactone (1) possessing this privileged scaffold is a popular synthetic target, but its biological activity remains underexplored. Herein, the total syntheses of dihydropyran-2-ones modeled on the structure of 1 were undertaken.

A new goniothalamin N-acylated aza-derivative strongly downregulates mediators of signaling transduction associated with pancreatic cancer aggressiveness.

In this study, a novel concise series of molecules based on the structure of goniothalamin (1) was synthesized and evaluated against a highly metastatic human pancreatic cancer cell line (Panc-1). Among them, derivative 8 displayed a low IC50 value (2.7 μM) and its concentration for decreasing colony formation was 20-fold lower than goniothalamin (1).

Antitumor activity of irradiated riboflavin on human renal carcinoma cell line 786-O.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a precursor for coenzymes involved in energy production, biosynthesis, detoxification, and electron scavenging. Previously, we demonstrated that irradiated riboflavin (IR) has potential antitumoral effects against human leukemia cells (HL60), human prostate cancer cells (PC3), and mouse melanoma cells (B16F10) through a common mechanism that leads to apoptosis. Hence, we here investigated the effect of IR on 786-O cells, a known model cell line for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), which is characterized by high-risk metastasis and chemotherapy resistance.

Calix[6]arene bypasses human pancreatic cancer aggressiveness: downregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases and induction of cell death by reticulum stress and autophagy.

Pancreatic cancer ranks fourth among cancer-related causes of death in North America. Minimal progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with late-stage tumors. Moreover, pancreatic cancer aggressiveness is closely related to high levels of pro-survival mediators, which can ultimately lead to rapid disease progression, resistance and metastasis.