Ovarian cancer is the most lethal malignancy affecting the female reproductive system. Pharmacological inhibitors targeting CDK4/6 have demonstrated promising efficacy across various cancer types. However, their clinical benefits in ovarian cancer patients fall short of expectations, with only a subset of patients experiencing these advantageous effects. This study aims to provide further clinical and biological evidence for antineoplastic effects of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (TQB4616) in ovarian cancer and explore underlying mechanisms involved. Patient-derived ovarian cancer organoid models were established to evaluate the effectiveness of TQB3616. Potential key genes related to TQB3616 sensitivity were identified through RNA-seq analysis, and TRIM4 was selected as a candidate gene for further investigation. Subsequently, co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays confirmed that TRIM4 binds to hnRNPDL and promotes its ubiquitination through RING and B-box domains. RIP assay demonstrated that hnRNPDL binded to CDKN2C isoform 2 and suppressed its expression by alternative splicing. Finally, in vivo studies confirmed that the addition of siTRIM4 significantly improved the effectiveness of TQB3616. Overall, our findings suggest that TRIM4 modulates ubiquitin-mediated degradation of hnRNPDL and weakens sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors in ovarian cancer treatment. TRIM4 may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors in ovarian cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Tripartite Motif Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Ubiquitin/metabolism* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Ubiquitination ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

To investigate the mechanism of Qitu Erzhi Decoction(QTEZ) in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and the focus of its decomposed formulae on the effects of hematopoietic cells of the three lineages, respectively. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to identify the components of QTEZ intestinal absorption liquid and obtain the target sites, which were intersected with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression targets collected from several databases, including OMIM, and an interaction network was established based on network pharmacology for Gene Ontology(GO) functional analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis. Hematopoietic stem cells of mice were taken after intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil for myelosuppression modeling and randomly divided into the model group, Qitu Erzhi group, Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix group, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus-Ecliptae Herba group, Psoraleae Fructus-Cuscutae Semen group, and positive drug group, which were given the corresponding traditional Chinese medicine intestinal absorption liquid and the positive drug granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, respectively. The normal hematopoietic stem cells were taken as the control group and were given the intervention of normal saline. The proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells of three lineages was observed by flow cytometry, and the cell cycle and colony formation assay were observed. Western blot was used to verify the effect of QTEZ on the pathway proteins including phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K), phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), protein kinase B(AKT), and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT). RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of QTEZ on cell cycle-related targets such as CDK inhibitor 1(P21), cyclin D1(CCND1), and cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4). The results showed that a total of 158 components were identified by QTEZ, and 375 component and disease intersecting targets were obtained, 21 core components and 40 core targets were obtained after constructing the network, and GO and KEGG enrichment showed signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT. QTEZ and its decomposed formulae could promote the 5-fluorouracil-blocked cell cycle to resume operation, and all of them had different degrees of restoration effects on the set of colonies, among which QTEZ had the best restoration effect, and the Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix group had a focused effect on colony forming unit-erythrocyte. Western blot results indicated that there was no significant difference in the expression levels of pathway proteins among the groups. RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that QTEZ could down-regulate P21 and up-regulate the protein and mRNA expression of CDK4 and CCND1. In conclusion, QTEZ and its decomposed formulas can exert a protective effect on hematopoietic stem cells with 5-fluorouracil-induced myelosuppression by promoting the normal operation of the cell cycle and colony formation, and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the cell cycle-related targets of P21 and the up-regulation of CDK4 and CCND1. In addition, Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix can have a targeted protective effect on erythrocytes.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Network Pharmacology ; Mice ; Fluorouracil/adverse effects* ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Bufalin(BF)has a significant anti-tumor effect, but its clinical application is severely restricted by its high toxicity and poor water solubility. In this study, Scrophularia ningpoensis polysaccharide(SNP)and ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) were synthesized into an SNP-UDCA conjugate. BF was encapsulated to prepare BF/SNP-UDCA nanoparticles(NPs). The amphiphilic compound SNP-UDCA was synthesized via the one-step method, and its structure was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR)and proton nuclear magnetic resonance(~1H-NMR). The preparation process of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was optimized through single-factor investigations. The encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading capacity of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The molecular form of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was characterized by using a transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction(XRD), and differential scanning calorimeter(DSC). Additionally, the stability of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was evaluated. The release behavior of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs at different pH values was determined by dialysis. The in vitro anti-tumor effect of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was evaluated by MTT cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry for apoptosis, and cellular uptake. The in vitro liver targeting was evaluated by measuring cellular uptake by laser confocal microscopy. The results demonstrated that the SNP-UDCA conjugate was successfully synthesized through an esterification reaction between SNP and UDCA. The preparation process of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was as follows: the feed ratio of SNP-UDCA to BF was 2∶1, the ultrasonic time was 30 minutes, and the stirring time was two hours. The prepared BF/SNP-UDCA NPs were spherical in shape, with a particle size of(252.74±6.05)nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 65.00%±2.51%, and a drug-loading capacity of 6.80%±0.44%. The XRD and DSC results indicated that BF was encapsulated within the NPs and existed in a molecular or amorphous state. The short-term stability of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs and stability in DMEM medium are good, and their in vitro release behavior followed the first-order equation and was pH-dependent according to the in vitro experiment. Compared with BF, BF/SNP-UDCA NPs at the same concentration showed significantly stronger cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects on HepG2 cells(P<0.05, P<0.01). The uptake of coumarin 6(C6)/SNP-UDCA NPs in HepG2 cells was time-dependent and higher than that in HeLa cells at the same concentration of C6/SNP-UDCA NPs. Moreover, after treatment with SNP, the uptake of C6/SNP-UDCA NPs in HepG2 cells decreased. In conclusion, the preparation process of BF/SNP-UDCA NPs was simple and feasible. BF/SNP-UDCA NPs could enhance the targeting ability and inhibitory effect of BF on liver cancer cells. This study will provide a foundation for liver-targeting nanoformulations of BF.
Bufanolides/pharmacology* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Humans ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid/chemistry* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Polysaccharides/chemistry* ; Scrophularia/chemistry* ; Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Hep G2 Cells

BACKGROUND: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a significant challenge in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Collagen remodeling has been shown to be a critical factor for therapy resistance in other cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMZ chemoresistance by GBM cells reprogramming collagens. METHODS: Key extracellular matrix components, including collagens, were examined in paired primary and recurrent GBM samples as well as in TMZ-treated spontaneous and grafted GBM murine models. Human GBM cell lines (U251, TS667) and mouse primary GBM cells were used for in vitro studies. RNA-sequencing analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to explore the mechanisms involved in collagen accumulation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess the role of the collagen regulators prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) and yes-associated protein (YAP) in sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ. RESULTS: This study revealed that TMZ exposure significantly elevated collagen type I (COL I) expression in both GBM patients and murine models. Collagen accumulation sustained GBM cell survival under TMZ-induced stress, contributing to enhanced TMZ resistance. Mechanistically, P4HA1 directly binded to and hydroxylated YAP, preventing ubiquitination-mediated YAP degradation. Stabilized YAP robustly drove collagen type I alpha 1 ( COL1A1) transcription, leading to increased collagen deposition. Disruption of the P4HA1-YAP axis effectively reduced COL I deposition, sensitized GBM cells to TMZ, and significantly improved mouse survival. CONCLUSION P4HA1 maintained YAP-mediated COL1A1 transcription, leading to collagen accumulation and promoting chemoresistance in GBM.
Temozolomide ; Humans ; Glioblastoma/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Hydroxylation ; Dacarbazine/pharmacology* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Collagen/biosynthesis* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use*

The inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) is considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment due to their role in cell cycle regulation. However, CDK inhibitors with no selectivity among CDK families have not been approved. A CDK inhibitor with high selectivity for CDK4/6 exhibited significant treatment effects on breast cancer and has become a heavy bomb on the market. Subsequently, resistance gradually decreased the efficacy of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer treatment. In this review, we first introduce the development of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors and then explain the role of CDK2 activation in inducing resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Moreover, we focused on the development of CDK2/4/6 inhibitors and selective CDK2 inhibitors, which will aid in the discovery of novel CDK inhibitors targeting the cell cycle in the future.
Humans ; Cell Cycle/drug effects* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Breast Neoplasms/enzymology* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/metabolism*

Cancer represents a significant disease that profoundly impacts human health and longevity. Projections indicate a 47% increase in the global cancer burden by 2040 compared to 2020, accompanied by a further rise in the associated economic burden. Consequently, there is an urgent need to discover and develop new alternative drugs to mitigate the global impact of cancer. Natural products (NPs) play a crucial role in the identification and development of anticancer therapeutics. This study identified ustusolate E (UE) and its analog 11α-hydroxy-ustusolate E (HUE) from strain Aspergilluscalidoustus TJ403-EL05, and examined their antitumor activities and mechanisms of action. The findings demonstrate that both compounds significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of AGS (human gastric cancer cells) and 786-O (human renal clear cell carcinoma cells), induced irreversible DNA damage, blocked the cell cycle at the G₂/M phase, and further induced apoptosis in tumor cells. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the anticancer effects of UE and HUE and their underlying mechanisms. The present study suggests that HUE and UE could serve as lead compounds for the development of novel anticancer drugs.
Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology* ; Aspergillus/chemistry*

Five novel nor-eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids, peniroqueforins E-H and J (1-4 and 7), two new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids, peniroqueforins I and K (5 and 8), and a new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoid, peniroqueforin L (9), along with four known compounds (6 and 10-12), were isolated and characterized from fungus Penicillium roqueforti (P. roqueforti). The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The anti-multi-drug resistance (MDR) cancer activity of these compounds was evaluated using SW620/Ad300 cells. Notably, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of paclitaxel (PTX) combined with 1 in SW620/Ad300 cells was 50.36 nmol·L^-1, which was 65-fold more potent than PTX alone (IC₅₀ 3.26 μmol·L^-1). Subsequent molecular docking studies revealed an affinity between compound 1 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), suggesting that this nor-eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid (1) could serve as a potential lead for MDR reversal in cancer cells through P-gp inhibition.
Penicillium/chemistry* ; Humans ; Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Molecular Structure ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Five new flavan-4-ol glycosides jixueqiosides A-E (1-5) and two new flavan glycosides jixueqiosides F and G (6 and 7), along with twelve known flavan-4-ol glycosides (8-19), were isolated from the roots of Pronephrium penangianum. Comprehensive spectral analyses, X-ray single-crystal diffraction, and theoretical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations established structures and absolute configurations. A single crystal structure of flavan-4-ol glycoside (14) was reported for the first time, while the characteristic ECD and NMR data for all isolated flavan-4-ol glycosides (1-5 , 8-19) were analyzed, establishing a set of empirical rules. Activity screening of these isolates showed that 8 and 9 could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 7.93 ? 2.85 ?mol?L^-1 and 5.87 ? 1.58 ?mol?L^-1 (MDA-MB-231), and 2.21 ? 1.38 ?mol?L^-1 and 3.52 ? 1.55 ?mol?L^-1 (MCF-7), respectively. Western blotting and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that 8 and 9 dose-dependently induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells by up-regulating BAX, activating caspase-3 and down-regulating BCL-2. Additionally, compound 8 affected autophagy-related proteins, increasing the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 levels to inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. Moreover, anti-inflammatory studies indicated that 2, 3, 7, 13, 14, and 18 moderately inhibited tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) release.
Humans ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Glycosides/isolation & purification* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Flavonoids/isolation & purification* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice

A comprehensive phytochemical investigation of the leaves and twigs of Physalis angulata. var. villosa resulted in the isolation of 23 withanolide derivatives, including one novel 13,20-γ-lactone withanolide derivative (1) and three new withanolide derivatives (2-4). Architecturally, physalinin A (1) represents the first identified type B withanolide featuring a 13,20-γ-lactone moiety. The molecular structures of all isolates were elucidated using an integrated approach combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations to confirm structural assignments. The antiproliferative activities of all isolated withanolides were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (HEL, HCT-116, Colo320DM, and MDA-MB-231). Among them, eight derivatives (2, 5-8, 14, 15, and 23) exhibited significant inhibitory effects, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 0.18 ± 0.03 to 17.02 ± 0.21 μmol·L^-1. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis suggested that the presence of an epoxide ring enhances anticancer activity, potentially through increased reactivity or specific interactions with molecular targets involved in cancer progression. These findings underscore the pharmacological potential of withanolides as promising lead compounds for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.
Withanolides/isolation & purification* ; Physalis/chemistry* ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

Paclitaxel (PTX), a valuable natural product derived from Taxus species, exhibits remarkable anti-cancer properties. It penetrates nanopores in microtubule walls, interacting with tubulin on the lumen surface and disrupting microtubule dynamics, thereby inducing cytotoxic effects in cancer cells. PTX and its derivatives have gained approval for treating various diseases due to their low toxicity, high efficiency, and broad-spectrum application. The widespread success and expanding applications of PTX have led to increased demand, raising concerns about accessibility. Consequently, researchers globally have focused on developing alternative production methods and applying nanocarriers in PTX delivery systems to enhance bioavailability. This review examines the challenges and advancements in PTX sourcing, production, physicochemical properties, anti-cancer mechanisms, clinical applications, trials, and chemo-immunotherapy. It aims to provide a comprehensive reference for the rational development and effective utilization of PTX.
Humans ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Taxus/chemistry*