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Topic Review
Alcohol and Head and Neck Cancer
As suggested from recent findings, the role of alcohol in HNC seems to be broader than that of a simple risk factor. In this entry, authors report evidence from past studies to clarify the role of alcohol consumption in head and neck cancer (HNC) onset. Moreover, we further explore the role of oral microbiota, oxidative stress and genetic expression alterations due to alcohol drinking. Although alcohol is not the exclusive risk factor for HNC carcinogenesis, it plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of both primary tumors and their recurrences, especially by means of ethanol and its metabolic products. Alcohol modifies oral microbiota, enhances intracellular oxidative stress, expose epithelial cells to carcinogens and alters cellular genetic expressions by promoting epigenetic mutations, DNA damage, and inaccurate DNA repair related to the formation of DNA adducts. The relationship between alcohol and HNC has been well established but, unfortunately, there is no clear threshold effect of alcohol for oncogenic patients, so that prevention and monitoring with long-term markers of alcohol consumption (especially those detected in the hair) that relay information on the actual alcohol drinking habits, seem to be the most effective ways to contrast its prevalence (and complications) in HNC drinker-patients. These conclusions seem to be especially important nowadays since, despite the established association between alcohol and HNC, a concerning pattern of alcohol consumption misconducts has been found in both in the general population and HNC  survivors. Interestingly, evidence that we report on HNC etiopathogenesis suggests a key role of polyphenols and alkylating agents for patient management, especially in case of heavy chronic drinkers.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Heme Oxygenase-1 in Central Nervous System Malignancies
Central nervous system tumors are the most common pediatric solid tumors and account for 20–25% of all childhood malignancies. Several lines of evidence suggest that brain tumors show altered redox homeostasis that triggers the activation of various survival pathways, leading to disease progression and chemoresistance. Among these pathways, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role. HO-1 catalyzes the enzymatic degradation of heme with the simultaneous release of carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous iron (Fe2+), and biliverdin. The biological effects of HO-1 in tumor cells have been shown to be cell-specific since, in some tumors, its upregulation promotes cell cycle arrest and cellular death, whereas, in other neoplasms, it is associated with tumor survival and progression. Since HO-1 overexpression is involved in the development and resistance of brain tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, further researchers are needed to evaluate the possible use of HO -1 as strategy to improve the outcome of well-established therapeutic regimens.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Treatment of Cisplatin/Platinum-Ineligible Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been the standard of care in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). However, many patients with comorbidities cannot receive cisplatin or its alternative, carboplatin. ‘Cisplatin-ineligible’ and ‘platinum-ineligible’ patients lacked effective therapy options. However, the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV), an antibody–drug conjugate targeting Nectin-4, with pembrolizumab (P), an antibody targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint, is changing the status quo of frontline mUC treatment, with potential synergy seen in the EV-103 and EV-302 clinical trials.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Oncolytic Reovirus
Oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) has received significant attention in recent years, especially since the approval of talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC) in 2015 by the Food and Drug administration (FDA). Mechanistic studies of oncolytic viruses (OVs) have revealed that most, if not all, OVs induce direct oncolysis and stimulate innate and adaptive anti-tumour immunity. With the advancement of tumour modelling, allowing characterisation of the effects of tumour microenvironment (TME) components and identification of the cellular mechanisms required for cell death (both direct oncolysis and anti-tumour immune responses), it is clear that a “one size fits all” approach is not applicable to all OVs, or indeed the same OV across different tumour types and disease locations. This article will provide an unbiased review of oncolytic reovirus (clinically formulated as pelareorep), including the molecular and cellular requirements for reovirus oncolysis and anti-tumour immunity, reports of pre-clinical efficacy and its overall clinical trajectory. Moreover, as it is now abundantly clear that the true potential of all OVs, including reovirus, will only be reached upon the development of synergistic combination strategies, reovirus combination therapeutics will be discussed, including the limitations and challenges that remain to harness the full potential of this promising therapeutic agent.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Non-Coding RNA in Melanoma
Considered to be highly lethal if not diagnosed in early stages, cutaneous malignant melanoma is among the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers, and its incidence continues to rise, largely due to ultraviolet radiation exposure, which is the main carcinogenic factor. Over the years, researchers have started to unveil the molecular mechanisms by which malignant melanoma can be triggered and sustained, in order to establish specific, reliable biomarkers that could aid the prognosis and diagnosis of this fatal disease, and serve as targets for development of novel efficient therapies. The high mutational burden and heterogeneous nature of melanoma shifted the main focus from the genetic landscape to epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, aiming at elucidating the role of non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNAs) in the fine tuning of melanoma progression. Studies have shown that ncRNAs, among them microRNAs and lncRNAs, play a role in melanoma invasion, metastasis and acquired resistance to treatment. In addition, they could serve as prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers and potential targets for promising therapeutic strategies. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Chemotherapy Resistance of Ovarian Cancer
Chemotherapy resistance of ovarian cancer, regarded as the most lethal malignant gynecological disease, can be explained by several mechanisms, including increased activity of efflux transporters leading to decreased intracellular drug accumulation, increased efflux of the therapeutic agents from the cell by multidrug-resistance-associated protein (MRP1), enhanced DNA repair, altered apoptotic pathways, silencing of a number of genes, as well as drug inactivation.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Nov 2022
Topic Review
High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal tumor of the female genital tract. Despite extensive studies and the identification of some precursor lesions like serous tubal intraepithelial cancer (STIC) or the deviated mutational status of the patients (BRCA germinal mutation), the pathophysiology of HGSOC and the existence of particular risk factors is still a puzzle. Moreover, a lack of screening programs results in delayed diagnosis, which is accompanied by a secondary chemo-resistance of the tumor and usually results in a high recurrence rate after the primary therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify the substantial risk factors for both predisposed and low-risk populations of women, as well as to create an economically and clinically justified screening program. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Feb 2024
Topic Review
ADT Influence on Bone Health
Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is a systemic therapy administered for the management of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Although ADT may improve survival, long-term use reduces bone mass density (BMD), posing an increased risk of fracture. Considering the long natural history of PCa, it is essential to preserve bone health and quality-of-life in patients on long-term ADT. As an alternative to pharmacological interventions targeted at preserving BMD, current evidence recommends lifestyle modifications, including individualized exercise and nutritional interventions. Exercise interventions include resistance training, aerobic exercise, and weight-bearing impact exercise, and have shown efficacy in preserving BMD. At the same time, it is important to take into account that PCa is a progressive and debilitating disease in which a substantial proportion of patients on long-term ADT are older individuals who harbor axial bone metastases. Smoking cessation and limited alcohol consumption are commonly recommended lifestyle measures in patients receiving ADT. Contemporary guidelines regarding lifestyle modifications vary by country, organization, and expert opinion.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) account for 49% of all primary malignant central nervous system tumorsand stand for the most malignant part of the clinical spectrum. The current established therapy consists of a gross total resection when safely feasible, followed by adjuvant radio-, chemo-, or radiochemotherapy and application of tumor treating fields (TTF). Nevertheless, prognosis is still poor, and overall survival after completion of these therapies averages less than 2 years.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Blessed Union of Glycobiology and Immunology
The fields of cancer glycobiology and glycobiology of infectious diseases provide crucial information concerning the cell surface glycoconjugates, as they play an important role in immunosurveillance during the development and establishment of certain pathologies. Furthermore, screening for atypical glycophenotypes culminates in the construction and modulation of an innate and adaptive immune response, mainly because glycans are biological structures that are very well conserved by evolution and are naturally heterogeneous, and end up acting as carriers of biological information that are decoded by families of proteins known as lectins. The effects of the structural recognition of glycans by these receptors, present mainly in cells of the immune system, are paramount in defining the immune responses. Therefore, those receptors are subjected to subversion of the host response against certain pathologies, being involved in the persistence of infections and tumors resistant to chemotherapy and increased metastatic potential.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Radiometal-Labeled Peptides in Cancer Diagnosis
Radiolabeled biomolecules targeted at tumor-specific enzymes, receptors, and transporters in cancer cells represent an intensively investigated and promising class of molecular tools for the cancer diagnosis and therapy. High specificity of such biomolecules is a prerequisite for the treatment with a lower burden to normal cells and for the effective and targeted imaging and diagnosis. The most impressive outputs in categories of newly developed structures, as well as imaging and diagnosis approaches, and the most intensively studied oncological diseases in this context, are emphasized in order to show future perspectives of radiometal labeled amino acid-based compounds in nuclear medicine.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Immunotherapeutic Treatments in Multiple Myeloma
Immunosuppression is a common feature of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and has been associated with disease evolution from its precursor stages. MM cells promote immunosuppressive effects due to both the secretion of soluble factors, which inhibit the function of immune effector cells, and the recruitment of immunosuppressive populations. Alterations in the expression of surface molecules are also responsible for immunosuppression.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Microbiota-Derived Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer
Butyrate is one of the main short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) significantly increases the density of bacteria that are known to produce butyrate. Omega-3 PUFAs have been proposed as a treatment to prevent gut microbiota dysregulation and lower the risk or progression of CRC.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death among cancer patients, and the liver is the most common visceral metastatic. Molecular cancer biomarkers are any measurable molecular indicator of the risk of cancer, the occurrence of cancer, or patient outcome, to help personalize treatment and to identify patients who may benefit most from a specific therapy. They may include germline or somatic genetic variants, epigenetic signatures, transcriptional changes, and proteomic signatures.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Oncolytic Viruses: Applications of Adenoviruses
Cancer is a major health problem. Most of the treatments exhibit systemic toxicity, as they are not targeted or specific to cancerous cells and tumors. Specific and targeted therapy can be designed using specific functional modifiers/inhibitors like antibodies, peptides, nanobodies and soluble ligands etc. Another novel therapeutic strategy is by using Oncolytic viruses. These are viruses, which can specifically infect or enter into cancer cells and kill them. Since viruses have evolved natural affinity towards some receptors, their affinity needs to be re-targeted towards cancer cells and de-targeted from their natural receptors. Adenoviruses are very promising gene delivery vectors and have shown immense potential in delivering targeted therapy. Here, we review a wide range of strategies that have been tried, tested, and demonstrated to enhance the specificity of oncolytic viruses towards specific cancer cells. A combination of these strategies and other conventional therapies may be more effective than any of those strategies alone.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Drug Development Platform for Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a group of malignancies that originate from the biliary tract, is associated with a high mortality rate and a concerning increase in worldwide incidence. In Thailand, where the incidence of CCA is the highest, the socioeconomic burden is severe. Yet, treatment options are limited, with surgical resection being the only form of treatment with curative intent. The current standard-of-care remains to be adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy which is ineffective in most patients. The overall survival rate is dismal, even after surgical resection and the tumor heterogeneity further complicates treatment. Together, this makes CCA a significant burden in Southeast Asia. For effective management of CCA, treatment must be tailored to each patient, individually, for which an assortment of targeted therapies must be available
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Zebrafish as a Model for Cancer Treatments
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate model species traditionally used for studying developmental biology and vertebrate genetics, and more recently, to model human diseases such as cancer. The role of zebrafish as a platform for anticancer therapy studies has been highly evidenced, allowing researchers not only to perform drug screenings but also to evaluate novel therapies such as immunotherapies and nanotherapies.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 May 2022
Topic Review
Berberine - Supportive Action Cancer
Berberine is very promising as the anticancer agent. Berberine not only possesses documented proapoptotic activity, which is in the focus of attention, but also seems to be a very important and promising compound in combined cancer treatment. Sensitization and elimination of drug resistance are very promising trends in the berberine research. What is more, berberine exhibits low toxicity towards healthy cells, which makes it safe for clinical use and proves its activity in biochemical disorders. 
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Pancreatic Cancer and Arterial Resection
Aggressive arterial resection (AR) in surgical treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has gradually been encouraged thanks to new chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, which have provided more adequate patient selection and local tumor suppression justifying aggressive local resection. The development of surgical techniques provides the safety of AR for even major visceral arteries such as the celiac axis or superior mesenteric artery. 
  • 1.0K
  • 25 May 2021
Topic Review
Doxorubicin-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Cardiotoxicity has emerged as a major side effect of doxorubicin (DOX) treatment, affecting nearly 30% of patients within 5 years after chemotherapy. Heart failure is the first non-cancer cause of death in DOX-treated patients. 
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Jul 2022
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