PAR1 signaling on tumor cells limits tumor growth by maintaining a mesenchymal phenotype in pancreatic cancer.

Protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1) expression is associated with disease progression and overall survival in a variety of cancers. However, the importance of tumor cell PAR1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) remains unexplored. Utilizing orthotopic models with wild type and PAR1-targeted PDAC cells, we show that tumor cell PAR1 negatively affects PDAC growth, yet promotes metastasis.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ facilitates bacterial dissemination during pneumococcal pneumonia in a platelet-activating factor receptor-dependent manner.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) recently emerged as an essential player in the inflammatory response to bacterial infections. C/EBPδ levels increase rapidly after a proinflammatory stimulus, and increasing C/EBPδ levels seem to be indispensable for amplification of the inflammatory response. Here we aimed to elucidate the role of C/EBPδ in host defense in community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia.

Betulinic acid delivered in liposomes reduces growth of human lung and colon cancers in mice without causing systemic toxicity.

Betulinic acid (BetA) is a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoid with potent anticancer capacity that targets the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. BetA has a broad efficacy in vitro against prevalent cancer types, including lung, colorectal, prostate, cervix and breast cancer, melanomas, neuroblastomas, and leukemias. The cytotoxic effects of the compound against healthy cells are minimal, rendering BetA a promising potential anticancer drug.