Targeting Cancer: Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Innovations.

In 2024, the United States was projected to experience 2 million new cancer diagnoses and approximately 611,720 cancer-related deaths, reflecting a broader global trend in which cancer cases are anticipated to exceed 35 million by 2050. This increasing burden highlights ongoing challenges in cancer treatment despite significant advances that have reduced cancer mortality by 31% since 1991. Key obstacles include the disease's inherent heterogeneity and complexity, such as treatment resistance, cancer stem cells, and the multifaceted tumor microenvironment (TME).

Macrophages: Key Players in the Battle against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenging subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 expression, leading to limited treatment options and a poorer prognosis. TNBC is particularly prevalent in premenopausal African-descent women and is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and higher metastatic potential. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundantly present within the TNBC microenvironment and play pivotal roles in promoting tumor growth, progression, and metastasis through various mechanisms, including immune suppression and enhancement of angiogenesis.

The protective effect of silver nanoparticles' on epithelial cornea cells against ultraviolet is accompanied by changes in calcium homeostasis and a decrease of the P2X7 and P2Y2 receptors.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles hydrocolloids (AgNPs) on human corneal epithelial cells. Epithelial cells form the outermost and the most vulnerable to environmental stimuli layer of the cornea in the eye. Mechanical stress, UV radiation, and pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites challenge the fragile homeostasis of the eye.

Non-radioactive imaging strategies for immune cell tracking.

tracking of administered cells chosen for specific disease treatment may be conducted by diagnostic imaging techniques preceded by cell labeling with special contrast agents. The most commonly used agents are those with radioactive properties, however their use in research is often impossible. This review paper focuses on the essential aspect of cell tracking with the exclusion of radioisotope tracers, therefore we compare application of different types of non-radioactive contrast agents (cell tracers), methods of cell labeling and application of various techniques for cell tracking, which are commonly used in preclinical or clinical studies.

Biodistribution PET/CT Study of Hemoglobin-DFO-Zr Complex in Healthy and Lung Tumor-Bearing Mice.

Proteins, as a major component of organisms, are considered the preferred biomaterials for drug delivery vehicles. Hemoglobin (Hb) has been recently rediscovered as a potential drug carrier, but its use for biomedical applications still lacks extensive investigation. To further explore the possibility of utilizing Hb as a potential tumor targeting drug carrier, we examined and compared the biodistribution of Hb in healthy and lung tumor-bearing mice, using for the first time Zr labelled Hb in a positron emission tomography (PET) measurement.

NIK-IKK complex interaction controls NF-κB-dependent inflammatory activation of endothelium in response to LTβR ligation.

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK; also known as MAP3K14) is a central regulator of non-canonical NF-κB signaling in response to stimulation of TNF receptor superfamily members, such as the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR), and is implicated in pathological angiogenesis associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized role of the LTβR-NIK axis during inflammatory activation of human endothelial cells (ECs). Engagement of LTβR-triggered canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling promoted expression of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules, and increased immune cell adhesion to ECs.

Targeting non-canonical nuclear factor-κB signalling attenuates neovascularization in a novel 3D model of rheumatoid arthritis synovial angiogenesis.

Objective: Angiogenesis is crucial in RA disease progression. Lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR)-induced activation of the non-canonical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway via NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) has been implicated in this process. Consequently, inhibition of this pathway may hold therapeutic potential in RA.

Metastasis Stimulation by Hypoxia and Acidosis-Induced Extracellular Lipid Uptake Is Mediated by Proteoglycan-Dependent Endocytosis.

Hypoxia and acidosis are inherent stress factors of the tumor microenvironment and have been linked to increased tumor aggressiveness and treatment resistance. Molecules involved in the adaptive mechanisms that drive stress-induced disease progression constitute interesting candidates of therapeutic intervention. Here, we provide evidence of a novel role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) in the adaptive response of tumor cells to hypoxia and acidosis through increased internalization of lipoproteins, resulting in a lipid-storing phenotype and enhanced tumor-forming capacity.

Global profiling of metabolic adaptation to hypoxic stress in human glioblastoma cells.

Oncogenetic events and unique phenomena of the tumor microenvironment together induce adaptive metabolic responses that may offer new diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets of cancer. Hypoxia, or low oxygen tension, represents a well-established and universal feature of the tumor microenvironment and has been linked to increased tumor aggressiveness as well as resistance to conventional oncological treatments. Previous studies have provided important insights into hypoxia induced changes of the transcriptome and proteome; however, how this translates into changes at the metabolite level remains to be defined.

Genetically modified human myoblasts with eNOS may improve regenerative ability of myogenic stem cells to infarcted heart.

Background: Modern therapies of post infarcted heart failure are focused on perfusion improvement of the injured myocardium. This effect can be achieved by, among other means, implanting stem cells which could be genetically modified with factors inducing the formation of new blood vessels in the post infarction scar area. Combined stem cell and gene therapy seems to be a promising strategy to heal an impaired myocardium.

Emerging roles of extracellular vesicles in the adaptive response of tumour cells to microenvironmental stress.

Cells are constantly subjected to various types of endogenous and exogenous stressful stimuli, which can cause serious and even permanent damage. The ability of a cell to sense and adapt to environmental alterations is thus vital to maintain tissue homeostasis during development and adult life. Here, we review some of the major phenotypic characteristics of the hostile tumour microenvironment and the emerging roles of extracellular vesicles in these events.

Exosomes reflect the hypoxic status of glioma cells and mediate hypoxia-dependent activation of vascular cells during tumor development.

Hypoxia, or low oxygen tension, is a major regulator of tumor development and aggressiveness. However, how cancer cells adapt to hypoxia and communicate with their surrounding microenvironment during tumor development remain important questions. Here, we show that secreted vesicles with exosome characteristics mediate hypoxia-dependent intercellular signaling of the highly malignant brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Chondroitin sulfate expression predicts poor outcome in breast cancer.

Experimental studies have established that the sulfated glycosaminoglycans heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate act as co-receptors of cytokines and growth factors that drive the malignant cell phenotype and the remodelling of the surrounding tumor stroma. However, the clinical relevance of these studies remains ill-defined. The present study investigates the significance of chondroitin sulfate expression in malignant cells and the stroma, respectively, of tumors from two independent cohorts of breast cancer patients (cohort I: 144 patients, 130 evaluable samples; cohort II: 498 patients, 469 evaluable samples; ER-positive patients ~86% in both cohorts).

Hypoxia triggers a proangiogenic pathway involving cancer cell microvesicles and PAR-2-mediated heparin-binding EGF signaling in endothelial cells.

Highly malignant tumors, such as glioblastomas, are characterized by hypoxia, endothelial cell (EC) hyperplasia, and hypercoagulation. However, how these phenomena of the tumor microenvironment may be linked at the molecular level during tumor development remains ill-defined. Here, we provide evidence that hypoxia up-regulates protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2), i.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan-mediated polyamine uptake.

The polyamines are polycationic compounds essential for cellular proliferation and transformation. In addition to a well-defined biosynthesis pathway, polyamines are internalized into cells by as yet incompletely defined mechanisms. Numerous reports have shown that efficient polyamine uptake depends on the presence of polyanionic, cell surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs).

Combined vascular endothelial growth factor-A and fibroblast growth factor 4 gene transfer improves wound healing in diabetic mice.

Background: Impaired wound healing in diabetes is related to decreased production of growth factors. Hence, gene therapy is considered as promising treatment modality. So far, efforts concentrated on single gene therapy with particular emphasis on vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A).

Magnetic nanoparticle-based isolation of endocytic vesicles reveals a role of the heat shock protein GRP75 in macromolecular delivery.

An increased understanding of cellular uptake mechanisms of macromolecules remains an important challenge in cell biology with implications for viral infection and macromolecular drug delivery. Here, we report a strategy based on antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for the isolation of endocytic vesicles induced by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), key cell-surface receptors of macromolecular delivery. We provide evidence for a role of the glucose-regulated protein (GRP)75/PBP74/mtHSP70/mortalin (hereafter termed "GRP75") in HSPG-mediated endocytosis of macromolecules.

Ornithine decarboxylase and extracellular polyamines regulate microvascular sprouting and actin cytoskeleton dynamics in endothelial cells.

The polyamines are essential for cancer cell proliferation during tumorigenesis. Targeted inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), i.e.

Establishment of heparan sulphate deficient primary endothelial cells from EXT-1(flox/flox) mouse lungs and sprouting aortas.

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of expanding tissue e.g. during embryogenesis and wound healing in physiology as well as in diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis.

The polyamines regulate endothelial cell survival during hypoxic stress through PI3K/AKT and MCL-1.

Hypoxia-dependent angiogenesis is an inherent feature of solid tumors, and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hypoxic cell-death should provide additional targets for cancer therapy. Here, we show a novel role of the polyamines in endothelial cell (EC) survival during hypoxia. Polyamine depletion by specific inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase was shown to protect ECs from hypoxia-induced apoptosis.

Hypoxia-mediated induction of the polyamine system provides opportunities for tumor growth inhibition by combined targeting of vascular endothelial growth factor and ornithine decarboxylase.

Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid tumors, which may offer opportunities for targeted therapies of cancer; however, the mechanisms that link hypoxia to malignant transformation and tumor progression are not fully understood. Here, we show that up-regulation of the polyamine system promotes cancer cell survival during hypoxic stress. Hypoxia was found to induce polyamine transport and the key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), in a variety of cancer cell lines.