Self-assembly of CXCR4 antagonist peptide-docetaxel conjugates for breast tumor multi-organ metastasis inhibition

As a representative chemotherapeutic drug, docetaxel (DTX) has been used for breast cancer treatment for decades. However, the poor solubility of DTX limits its efficacy, and the DTX based therapy increases the metastasis risk due to the upregulation of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression during the treatment. Herein, we conjugated CXCR4 antagonist peptide (CTCE) with DTX (termed CTCE-DTX) as an anti-metastasis agent to treat breast cancer. CTCE-DTX could self-assemble to nanoparticles, targeting CXCR4-upregulated metastatic tumor cells and enhancing the DTX efficacy. Thus, the CTCE-DTX NPs achieved promising efficacy on inhibiting both bone-specific metastasis and lung metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. Our work provided a rational strategy on designing peptide-drug conjugates with synergistic anti-tumor efficacy.

Molecularly engineered truncated tissue factor with therapeutic aptamers for tumor-targeted delivery and vascular infarction

Selective occlusion of tumor vasculature has proven to be an effective strategy for cancer therapy. Among vascular coagulation agents, the extracellular domain of coagulation-inducing protein tissue factor, truncated tissue factor (tTF), is the most widely used. Since the truncated protein exhibits no coagulation activity and is rapidly cleared in the circulation, free tTF cannot be used for cancer treatment on its own but must be combined with other moieties. We here developed a novel, tumor-specific tTF delivery system through coupling tTF with the DNA aptamer, AS1411, which selectively binds to nucleolin receptors overexpressing on the surface of tumor vascular endothelial cells and is specifically cytotoxic to target cells. Systemic administration of the tTF-AS1411 conjugates into tumor-bearing animals induced intravascular thrombosis solely in tumors, thus reducing tumor blood supply and inducing tumor necrosis without apparent side effects. This conjugate represents a uniquely attractive candidate for the clinical translation of vessel occlusion agent for cancer therapy.

Platelet membrane-based and tumor-associated platelettargeted drug delivery systems for cancer therapy / 医学前沿

Platelets have long been known to play critical roles in hemostasis by clumping and clotting blood vessel injuries. Recent experimental evidence strongly indicates that platelets can also interact with tumor cells by direct binding or secreting cytokines. For example, platelets have been shown to protect circulating cancer cells in blood circulation and to promote tumor metastasis. In-depth understanding of the role of platelets in cancer progression and metastasis provides promising approaches for platelet biomimetic drug delivery systems and functional platelet-targeting strategies for effective cancer treatment. This review highlights recent progresses in platelet membrane-based drug delivery and unique strategies that target tumor-associated platelets for cancer therapy. The paper also discusses future development opportunities and challenges encountered for clinical translation.

Erratum: Identification of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-related Target Genes Induced by the Mutation of Smad3 Linker Phosphorylation

The original version of this article contained error in the URL of the SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS.

Identification of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-related Target Genes Induced by the Mutation of Smad3 Linker Phosphorylation

BACKGROUND: Smad3 linker phosphorylation plays essential roles in tumor progression and metastasis. We have previously reported that the mutation of Smad3 linker phosphorylation sites (Smad3-Erk/Pro-directed kinase site mutant constructs [EPSM]) markedly reduced the tumor progression while increasing the lung metastasis in breast cancer. METHODS: We performed high-throughput RNA-Sequencing of the human prostate cancer cell lines infected with adenoviral Smad3-EPSM to identify the genes regulated by Smad3-EPSM. RESULTS: In this study, we identified genes which are differentially regulated in the presence of Smad3-EPSM. We first confirmed that Smad3-EPSM strongly enhanced a capability of cell motility and invasiveness as well as the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker genes, CDH2, SNAI1, and ZEB1 in response to TGF-β1 in human pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines. We identified GADD45B, CTGF, and JUNB genes in the expression profiles associated with cell motility and invasiveness induced by the Smad3-EPSM. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that inhibition of Smad3 linker phosphorylation may enhance cell motility and invasiveness by inducing expression of GADD45B, CTGF, and JUNB genes in various cancers.

X-linked dominant protoporphyria:report of a pedigree and detection of ALAS2 gene mutations / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To report a pedigree with X?linked dominant protoporphyria(XLDPP), and to detect 5?aminolevulinic acid synthetase 2(ALAS2)gene mutations in this pedigree. Methods A clinical investigation was performed in a pedigree with XLDPP, and relevant data were collected from family members. A next?generation sequencing method was applied to screen possible mutation sites, and Sanger sequencing was performed to determine pathogenic gene mutations. Dermoscopy was conducted to observe skin lesions in the patients with XLDPP, and the Fotofinder system and very high frequency (VHF) ultrasound system were utilized to assess the severity of photodamage. Liver and gallbladder ultrasonography as well as blood examination were performed for all the family members. Results A deletion mutation, c.1706?1709ΔAGTG, was detected in the ALAS2 gene on the X chromosomes of all the patients in this family, which led to replacement or loss of 19-20 C?terminal residues through transcriptional frameshifting, and eventually caused an increase in ALAS2 activity. In the patients with XLDPP, skin photodamage was relatively severe;protoporphyrin?induced hepatobiliary damage was observed and aggravated with age;anemia and iron deficiency occurred sometimes. Conclusion The deletion mutation c.1706?1709ΔAGTG of the ALAS2 gene may be the underlying cause of XLDPP in this pedigree.