Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (270)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = AX-024 inhibitor

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
16 pages, 3380 KB  
Article
4-Phenylbutyrate Plus Wildtype GAT-1 Augmentation: A Dual Therapy to Rescue SLC6A1 Variant-Associated Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
by Aiden James Delahanty, Kaitlin James, Emma Grace Carter, Ziang Debbie Song, Juexin Wang, Melissa Bassette and Jing-Qiong Kang
Genes 2026, 17(8), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17080983 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 112
Abstract
Background: Pathogenic variants in SLC6A1, which encodes the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT-1, cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) through reduced GABA uptake, impaired transporter trafficking, and functional haploinsufficiency. 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) is a clinically available small molecule with chemical-chaperone and histone-deacetylase-inhibitor activities that [...] Read more.
Background: Pathogenic variants in SLC6A1, which encodes the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT-1, cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) through reduced GABA uptake, impaired transporter trafficking, and functional haploinsufficiency. 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) is a clinically available small molecule with chemical-chaperone and histone-deacetylase-inhibitor activities that can rescue misfolded GABAergic proteins, but variant-level rescue data are needed to guide precision treatment. Methods: We report a novel de novo missense mutation p.Ala305Val in GAT-1 encoding SLC6A1, in a patient with myoclonic-atonic epilepsy and a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy phenotype. Ala305Val was compared with the residue-matched comparator p.Ala305Thr (Ala305Thr). Variant effects were evaluated by (i) protein-structure prediction across nine stability-prediction algorithms using the cryo-EM-derived human GAT-1 template (PDB 7Y7W); (ii) 3H-GABA uptake assays in HEK293T cells and in human iPSC-derived astrocytes and cortical neurons; (iii) live-cell confocal microscopy of ER colocalization; (iv) pharmacologic rescue with PBA, TUDCA and salubrinal (v) and GAT-1 cDNA gene-augmentation, alone and in combination with PBA. Results: AI-based stability predictors uniformly indicated destabilization of GAT-1 p.Ala305Val and GAT-1 p.Ala305Thr. GAT-1 p.Ala305Val reduced 3H GABA uptake across HEK293Ts, astrocytes, and neurons. The mutant transporter accumulated within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with ER colocalization rising from approximately 30% in wildtype to ~80% in GAT-1 p.Ala305Val; PBA reduced ER retention to approximately ~40% and restored total GAT-1 fluorescence toward wildtype levels. Pharmacochaperones (PBA, TUDCA) restored GABA uptake for the mutant transporters. Wildtype GAT-1 gene augmentation improved GABA uptake in the heterozygous condition but combined PBA plus wildtype allele augmentation produced rescue greater than either intervention alone in the available dose-response ranges. Conclusions: GAT-1 p.Ala305Val is a trafficking-impaired, loss-of-function variant whose dysfunction is amenable to two convergent therapeutic axes: pharmacologic correction of folding and trafficking, and augmentation of functional transporter expression. These findings support a two-pronged precision-medicine framework for SLC6A1-related DEEs in which PBA increased the transporter function augmented by genetic approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in "Neurogenetics and Neurogenomics": 2026)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 14242 KB  
Article
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Prediction of Immunotherapy Benefit and Recurrence Risk Stratification in Gastric Cancer: A Single-Center Real-World Study
by Dou-Dou Li, Jie-Yun Zhang, Yi-Yang Zhang, Yu-Feng Yang, Jun-Xi Chen, Xi-Yuan Chen, Xi Chen, Zhi-Huang Hu, Hai-Xia Wu and Chen-Chen Wang
Cancers 2026, 18(16), 2582; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18162582 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 198
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 pathway have improved outcomes in advanced gastric cancer; however, substantial heterogeneity in treatment response remains. Current prediction strategies mainly rely on pretreatment biomarkers, which provide static assessments and may not capture the evolving interactions between tumor progression [...] Read more.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 pathway have improved outcomes in advanced gastric cancer; however, substantial heterogeneity in treatment response remains. Current prediction strategies mainly rely on pretreatment biomarkers, which provide static assessments and may not capture the evolving interactions between tumor progression and host immunity. This study aimed to develop a dynamic prediction framework integrating longitudinal clinical trajectories and immune remodeling for continuous risk assessment during PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Methods: This retrospective study included 171 patients with gastric cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitor-based treatment. A landmark analysis framework was established using sequential 28-day follow-up windows to predict subsequent progressive disease (PD) or recurrence based on available clinical and immune information. Three nested models were developed: a baseline model (M0), a dynamic clinical model (M1), and an immune-integrated model (M2) incorporating longitudinal lymphocyte subset features. Model performance was evaluated using discrimination, calibration, and internal validation with patient-level resampling strategies. Results: Predictive performance improved progressively with incorporation of longitudinal information. The ROC AUC increased from 0.559 (95% CI, 0.429–0.690) in M0 to 0.737 (95% CI, 0.613–0.852) in M1 and 0.786 (95% CI, 0.681–0.883) in M2. Dynamic clinical information significantly improved discrimination compared with baseline prediction (ΔAUC = 0.178, p = 0.025), while additional immune features further enhanced risk stratification (ΔAUC = 0.049, p = 0.040). Interpretation analysis identified tumor burden evolution, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio trajectories, and immune functional axes involving T-cell, innate cytotoxicity, and humoral immunity as major contributors to risk estimation. Landmark analyses demonstrated the feasibility of continuously updating PD/recurrence risk during treatment. Conclusions: This study establishes a dynamic landmark prediction framework integrating longitudinal clinical trajectories and immune remodeling for continuous risk assessment during PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Dynamic clinical and immune features provided complementary predictive information beyond baseline characteristics, supporting an adaptive approach for precision immunotherapy monitoring in gastric cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 13617 KB  
Article
XYL-1 and Olaparib Synergistically Inhibit the Growth of Pancreatic Cancer by Suppressing the SCD1/BRCA1 Signaling Pathway
by Ye Yang, Lei Huang, Yaru Du, Qingyue Zhu, Li Dai and Bingjun Qian
Molecules 2026, 31(16), 2781; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162781 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 248
Abstract
PARP1/2 inhibitors have received FDA approval for pancreatic cancer harboring BRCA1/2 mutations and homologous recombination (HR) deficiency; however, their limited indications restrict their broader clinical application. Previous studies have demonstrated that PARP7, a member of the PARP family, enhances tumor sensitivity to PARP1/2 [...] Read more.
PARP1/2 inhibitors have received FDA approval for pancreatic cancer harboring BRCA1/2 mutations and homologous recombination (HR) deficiency; however, their limited indications restrict their broader clinical application. Previous studies have demonstrated that PARP7, a member of the PARP family, enhances tumor sensitivity to PARP1/2 inhibition. However, the mechanisms underlying their synergistic effects in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Herein, we found that combined inhibition of PARP1/2 and PARP7 using Olaparib and XYL-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW1990 and CFPAC cells compared with either single agent. Furthermore, XYL-1 and Olaparib cooperatively caused DNA damage and induced cell apoptosis in SW1990 cells. Consistently, combined treatment with XYL-1 and Olaparib significantly suppressed SW1990 tumor growth compared with single-agent treatment in mouse xenograft models, accompanied by elevated levels of phosphorylated H2AX in tumor tissues. Notably, bioinformatic analyses and mechanistic studies identified SCD1 and BRCA1 as key mediators of the synergistic antitumor effects of XYL-1 and Olaparib. More importantly, the combination of XYL-1 and Olaparib synergistically downregulated the expression of SCD1 and BRCA1, thereby impairing the HR-mediated DNA repair pathway. Collectively, these findings suggest that dual targeting of PARP7 and PARP1/2 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for BRCA-proficient pancreatic cancer. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 857 KB  
Review
Repigmentation Competence in Vitiligo: Integrating Immune, Regulatory, Regenerative, and Microenvironmental Axes
by Maria Efenesia Baffa, Roberto Maglie, Stefano Colabrese, Carlo Pipitò, Vincenzina Rubino, Sasha Visinoni, Lucrezia Cerchiai, Marzia Caproni and Emiliano Antiga
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(8), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16080418 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmenting disorder characterized by marked heterogeneity in therapeutic response, both between patients and among lesions within the same individual. While current therapies primarily target interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-driven inflammation, clinical outcomes remain variable and frequently incomplete, suggesting that additional lesion-specific biological [...] Read more.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmenting disorder characterized by marked heterogeneity in therapeutic response, both between patients and among lesions within the same individual. While current therapies primarily target interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-driven inflammation, clinical outcomes remain variable and frequently incomplete, suggesting that additional lesion-specific biological factors contribute to repigmentation potential. In this narrative review, we propose the concept of repigmentation competence to describe the capacity of an individual lesion to achieve clinically meaningful repigmentation under therapy. We hypothesize that this competence emerges from the interaction of four interconnected biological axes: (i) cytokine network and immune memory, (ii) local immune regulation, (iii) regenerative capacity, and (iv) microenvironmental permissiveness. A targeted search of PubMed/MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov up to March 2026 was conducted to identify translational studies, mechanistic models, and clinical trials relevant to these pathways. Evidence was synthesized thematically with emphasis on cytokine-mediated mechanisms and their interaction with regenerative and tissue-context processes. The IFN-γ/CXCL9/CXCL10 axis and tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) represent the most clinically validated drivers of disease persistence, as demonstrated by the therapeutic efficacy of JAK inhibitors, although immune suppression alone often fails to achieve complete or durable repigmentation. In contrast, regulatory pathways involving PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, regulatory T cells (Tregs), IL-10, TGF-β, and IL-2–based strategies remain biologically compelling but only partially translated into effective therapies. Regenerative capacity has also emerged as an important determinant of treatment response, with growing evidence supporting the role of melanocyte stem cell niches, follicular regeneration, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Accordingly, regenerative approaches such as non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) are increasingly being integrated into combination therapeutic strategies. The lesional microenvironment remains the least therapeutically developed axis despite growing experimental evidence supporting its importance in melanocyte survival and migration. Collectively, these observations suggest that the variable efficacy of current therapies may reflect different combinations of lesion-specific biological constraints. The emerging benefit of combination strategies may therefore derive not simply from additive effects, but from the simultaneous engagement of multiple axes involved in repigmentation competence. Our review supports a shift from a predominantly drug-centered model toward a lesion-oriented framework integrating immune, regenerative, regulatory, and microenvironmental determinants of response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine in Dermatology: Current Status and Challenges)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 7124 KB  
Article
2-Ethylhexyl Diphenyl Phosphate (EHDPP) Induces Hepatic Expression of Cytochrome P450s, Liver Damage, and Genotoxicity in Mice
by Zhao Zhou, Hongbin Gao, Shunda Zhu, Lvlue Cai, Yijing Chen, Keqi Hu and Yungang Liu
Toxics 2026, 14(8), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14080691 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 264
Abstract
As a commonly present organophosphorus flame retardant and persistent organic pollutant, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) has been observed to be genotoxic in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells which depends on CYP activities. Yet, its impacts on hepatic Cyp expression, hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in [...] Read more.
As a commonly present organophosphorus flame retardant and persistent organic pollutant, 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) has been observed to be genotoxic in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells which depends on CYP activities. Yet, its impacts on hepatic Cyp expression, hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in intact mammalians remain unidentified. In this study, adult male C57BL/6J mice received EHDPP by gastric gavage at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg (b.w.)/d for 7 d, then the hepatic expression of several Cyp proteins, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) was analyzed by Western blotting; hepatoxicity was determined by serum ALT/AST activities and hepatic histological examination, while genotoxicity by comet assay, phosphorylated histone (γ-H2AX) protein, micronucleus test, and Pig-a assay. A micronucleus test in mouse hepatoma (Hepa1-6) cells in vitro was employed to observe the modulating effect of PCB 126 (100 nM)/BAY-218 (700 nM) (Ahr-Cyp1a1 activator/inhibitor). The results indicated that EHDPP induced hepatic Cyp1a1, 2e1, AhR, Cyp1a2, Cyp3a4 and PXR proteins and histologic liver damage at 50 mg/kg/d and/or higher doses, while at the highest dose (150 mg/kg/d) with hepatic DNA damage and micronucleus formation in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. The result of Pig-a assay (at 14 and 28 d) was negative. In Hepa1-6 cells EHDPP induced micronucleus marginally; however, this effect was enhanced by PCB 126, while abolished by BAY-218. This study suggests that EHDPP may enhance protein expression of hepatic Cyp1a1, Cyp2e1, AhR and PXR and induce liver damage and DNA/chromosome damage in mice; Cyp1a1 might be a major activating enzyme. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2191 KB  
Article
Impact of Biologic and Targeted Synthetic Therapies on Retinal and Choroidal Parameters Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
by Ilona Katarzyna Jędrzejewska, Marta Łosoś, Anna Felis-Giemza and Joanna Gołębiewska
Biomedicines 2026, 14(8), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14081753 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 269
Abstract
Background: To compare retinal microvascular parameters assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) among patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) receiving different biologic and targeted synthetic therapies and to evaluate the association between smoking status and OCTA-derived retinal microvascular parameters. Methods: This [...] Read more.
Background: To compare retinal microvascular parameters assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) among patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) receiving different biologic and targeted synthetic therapies and to evaluate the association between smoking status and OCTA-derived retinal microvascular parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 159 eyes of 82 patients with radiographic or non-radiographic axSpA receiving tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i), or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) for at least one year. At the time of examination, all patients had BASDAI scores below the established threshold for active disease (BASDAI < 4). Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation and swept-source OCTA imaging were performed. Superficial capillary plexus vessel density and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas in both the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were assessed. Statistical analyses were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, history of uveitis, treatment duration, and ocular variables. Results: Significant differences were observed among treatment groups in the deep foveal avascular zone (DCP-FAZ) area (p = 0.0060). Post hoc analyses demonstrated larger DCP-FAZ values in patients receiving TNFi than in those receiving IL-17i (p = 0.0010), and larger values in the IL-17i group than in the JAKi group (p = 0.0151). No significant differences were observed in superficial FAZ area or superficial capillary plexus vessel density between treatment groups. Patients receiving JAKi were older and had a shorter treatment duration than those in the other groups. Smoking status was associated with a significantly smaller deep FAZ area (p = 0.0019), whereas no significant association was observed for superficial FAZ measurements. A weak positive correlation was found between intraocular pressure and deep FAZ area (r = 0.18, p = 0.0237), and treatment duration was weakly positively correlated with deep FAZ area (rho = 0.16, p = 0.0454). Conclusions: Retinal microvascular parameters differed among patients with axSpA receiving different classes of biologic and targeted synthetic therapies. Differences were observed primarily in the deep FAZ area, while smoking status was also associated with deep retinal microvascular parameters. Because of the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than evidence of treatment effects. OCTA may provide a useful non-invasive method for assessing retinal microvascular characteristics in patients with axSpA. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the relationship between systemic therapies, smoking status, and retinal microvascular changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular and Translational Medicine)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3444 KB  
Article
GLUD1 Inhibition Disrupts Glutamate Homeostasis and Induces Metabolic and Redox Stress in Gliomas
by Malgorzata Trybula, Małgorzata Łysiak, Emilia Wiechec, Annika Malmström and Peter Söderkvist
Cells 2026, 15(15), 1401; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15151401 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 337
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1) links glutamine metabolism and redox regulation, yet its prognostic and functional relevance across different glioma subtypes warrants further study. Here, we show that GLUD1 expression was inversely associated with tumor grade and positively associated with survival across glioma subtypes, a [...] Read more.
Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1) links glutamine metabolism and redox regulation, yet its prognostic and functional relevance across different glioma subtypes warrants further study. Here, we show that GLUD1 expression was inversely associated with tumor grade and positively associated with survival across glioma subtypes, a relationship not fully recapitulated by broader glutaminolysis-related gene signatures. To investigate the consequences of GLUD1 inhibition, we treated endogenous IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype glioma cell lines with the reported GLUD1 inhibitor R162. GLUD1 inhibition reduced viability in all cell lines tested. This effect was not rescued by α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) supplementation, indicating that impaired tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle anaplerosis was not the primary mechanism underlying GLUD1 dependency. Instead, GLUD1 inhibition caused intracellular glutamate accumulation, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), γ-H2AX induction, and elevated intracellular calcium, while complementary in silico analyses predicted disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential following R162 exposure. Together, these findings indicate that GLUD1 inhibition induces metabolic and redox stress associated with disrupted glutamate and calcium homeostasis and DNA damage. Our findings distinguish the favorable prognostic value of GLUD1 expression from the cellular vulnerability revealed by its inhibition, supporting further investigations of GLUD1 as both a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in glioma. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 780 KB  
Review
Cancer Therapy-Related Cutaneous Toxicities: Prognostic Biomarkers, Immunologic Endotypes, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies
by Federico Venturi and Emi Dika
Onco 2026, 6(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco6030039 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cutaneous adverse events (cAEs) are among the most common toxicities associated with modern anticancer therapies and can significantly affect quality of life, treatment adherence, and therapeutic outcomes. This narrative review aims to provide an updated overview of the mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prognostic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cutaneous adverse events (cAEs) are among the most common toxicities associated with modern anticancer therapies and can significantly affect quality of life, treatment adherence, and therapeutic outcomes. This narrative review aims to provide an updated overview of the mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prognostic implications, and management strategies of cancer therapy-related cutaneous toxicities, with a particular focus on precision oncodermatology. Methods: A narrative review of the recent literature was performed, integrating evidence from clinical studies, meta-analyses, pharmacovigilance investigations, consensus guidelines, and translational research. The review examines cutaneous toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, antibody–drug conjugates, and other emerging anticancer treatments. Results: Four major axes were identified: immune disinhibition, epithelial signaling inhibition, cytotoxic epithelial injury, and cytokine-driven immune activation. Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) emerged as potential biomarkers of treatment efficacy, particularly vitiligo, lichenoid, and psoriasiform eruptions. Increasing evidence supports the use of steroid-sparing biologic therapies, including dupilumab, omalizumab, anti-IL-17 agents, and Janus kinase inhibitors, although prospective validation remains limited. Recent advances in immunologic endotyping have identified distinct inflammatory pathways that may enable personalized therapeutic approaches. Antibody–drug conjugates represent an expanding source of unique dermatologic toxicities requiring dedicated management strategies. Emerging biomarkers, including cytokine signatures and microRNAs, may further refine risk stratification and treatment selection. Conclusions: The management of cancer therapy-related cutaneous toxicities is evolving toward a precision medicine model integrating clinical phenotype, immunologic endotype, and biomarker profiling. Early multidisciplinary intervention and mechanism-based therapeutic strategies may improve patient outcomes while preserving anticancer efficacy. Prospective studies are needed to validate biomarker-guided and steroid-sparing approaches in oncodermatology. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2552 KB  
Article
Conversion Surgery for Advanced Gastric Cancer According to First-Line Treatment Strategy: A Single-Center Experience with a Focused Review of the Literature
by Jun Kinoshita, Kenta Doden, Kengo Hayashi, Ryota Matsui, Hiroto Saito, Megumi Watanabe, Toshikatsu Tsuji, Daisuke Yamamoto and Noriyuki Inaki
Cancers 2026, 18(15), 2483; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18152483 - 2 Aug 2026
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Background/Objectives: First-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) has evolved from cytotoxic chemotherapy to HER2-targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens, yet conversion surgery (CS) outcomes across these strategies remain poorly characterized. We describe CS outcomes and prognostic factors by first-line strategy at [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: First-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) has evolved from cytotoxic chemotherapy to HER2-targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens, yet conversion surgery (CS) outcomes across these strategies remain poorly characterized. We describe CS outcomes and prognostic factors by first-line strategy at a single center. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 187 patients with AGC who began first-line therapy from 2011, grouped as cytotoxic (CTX, n = 127), HER2-targeted (trastuzumab, n = 21), or ICI (n = 39). CS was defined as resection after response, including an extended oligometastatic definition (n = 74). Overall survival (OS) was measured from chemotherapy initiation, and prognostic factors were assessed by Cox regression. Results: Median OS was 14.8, 18.9, and 20.9 months for CTX, trastuzumab, and ICI, respectively (p = 0.048). CS rates were comparable (41%, 33%, and 38%; p = 0.794). Pathological response was more pronounced after trastuzumab/ICI (grade 3 and ypStage 0/1; both p < 0.001). Among CS cases, R0 resection (hazard ratio [HR] 0.31) and trastuzumab/ICI therapy (HR 0.37) were independent favorable factors, whereas high inflammatory–nutritional indices (NLR, CAR) were independent poor prognostic factors. OS was comparable between oligometastatic and conventional CS (p = 0.324). Conclusions: In this hypothesis-generating study, response depth tracked tumor biology, whereas survival was determined by R0 resection, targeted/ICI therapy, and host inflammatory–nutritional status—two largely dissociable axes informing biology- and host-based selection of CS candidates for prospective testing. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 2698 KB  
Review
Cardiometabolic Aging Driven by Multi-Organ Crosstalk: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies
by Shouyao Zhang, Chenggui Xu, Yongli Song and Xinghe Zhang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(15), 6881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27156881 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Cardiac senescence is not an isolated organ decline but a systemic consequence driven by pathological crosstalk between the heart and its peripheral metabolic organs. In this review, we discard the traditional organ–centric perspective and construct an integrated framework around multi-organ crosstalk axes, including [...] Read more.
Cardiac senescence is not an isolated organ decline but a systemic consequence driven by pathological crosstalk between the heart and its peripheral metabolic organs. In this review, we discard the traditional organ–centric perspective and construct an integrated framework around multi-organ crosstalk axes, including the epicardial adipose tissue–heart axis, the skeletal muscle–heart axis, the gut–heart axis, and the kidney–heart axis. For each axis, we dissect the local molecular mediators—inflammatory cytokines, lipotoxic metabolites, microbiota-derived compounds such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) effectors, and extracellular vesicle (EV) cargoes—and illustrate how they converge onto common pathways of oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and cellular senescence. Importantly, we emphasize that these signals do not operate in isolation; they act synergistically through the circulation, converting local organ dysfunction into systemic cardiac aging via convergence onto shared senescence pathways. By redefining aging as a potentially modifiable multi-organ crosstalk, we propose emerging nodal points—senolytics, myokine mimetics, gut microbiota modulation, RAAS/sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and integrated lifestyle strategies—to block pathological crosstalk and delay cardiovascular aging. This framework shifts the research focus from isolated organs to systemic multi-organ crosstalk, providing new insights into cardiometabolic aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular and Vascular Biology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 5313 KB  
Perspective
Hiding in Plain Sight: HIV-1 Membraneless Organelles as Nuclear Hubs—Host Hijacking, Replication, Immune Evasion, and Drug-Access Implications
by Francesco Broccolo, Alessandro Sannino, Mauro Pollini, Federica Paladini, Thierry Mourer and Francesca Di Nunzio
Pathogens 2026, 15(7), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15070766 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 572
Abstract
Theories on the early steps of the HIV-1 life cycle have been radically revised over the past five years. The long-held assumption that the capsid fully disassembles in the cytoplasm has given way to a more nuanced view: Cytoplasmic disassembly does occur and, [...] Read more.
Theories on the early steps of the HIV-1 life cycle have been radically revised over the past five years. The long-held assumption that the capsid fully disassembles in the cytoplasm has given way to a more nuanced view: Cytoplasmic disassembly does occur and, in several myeloid systems, is increasingly linked to cytosolic cDNA sensing and to abortive infection. However, a substantial fraction of intact or nearly intact capsid cores instead traverse the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and, upon interacting with the host factor CPSF6, induce liquid–liquid phase separation. This leads to the formation of biomolecular condensates, termed HIV-1 membraneless organelles (HIV-1-MLOs), which subsequently merge with nuclear speckles (NSs). In this Perspective we read these condensates along five interlocking axes. First, the virus drives the host phase separation of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 6 (CPSF6), which quickly fuses with another MLO: the NS composed of the speckle scaffold factors, SON and SRRM2. Second, the resulting condensate behaves as a catalytic site that concentrates the reverse-transcription machinery and thereby promotes integration of the viral DNA into speckle-associated chromatin (SPADs). Third, the same compartment is the final layer of a stratified programme of innate immune evasion, shielding nascent double-stranded DNA from cGAS–STING after cytoplasmic restriction factors and sensors have been outmanoeuvred. Fourth, although demonstrated only in vitro, stable HIV-1-MLOs can maintain the viral RNA genome in the presence of a reverse-transcription inhibitor. Upon removal of the inhibitor, reverse transcription resumes, mirroring, to some extent, the situation in individuals undergoing interruption of antiretroviral therapy and suggesting that these structures may act as a pre-integration reservoir. Fifth, and still largely unexplored, the sanctuary has a pharmacological dimension: anatomical lymphoid compartments, and possibly the condensate itself through selective small-molecule partitioning, may limit antiretroviral drug access. We situate HIV-1-MLOs within the convergent condensate strategies of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, and we discuss the clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and vaccine implications, including capsid inhibitors as “block-and-expose” tools. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4376 KB  
Review
The Potential Target Value of ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 in Insulin Secretion Regulation and the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders
by Yangyang Wang
Metabolites 2026, 16(7), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16070508 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 434
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent pandemic metabolic illnesses hallmarked by defective pancreatic β-cell function and blunted insulin release. As a conserved small GTPase (guanosine triphosphatase), ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) governs fundamental cellular events encompassing vesicle trafficking, cytoskeleton remodeling and lipid [...] Read more.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent pandemic metabolic illnesses hallmarked by defective pancreatic β-cell function and blunted insulin release. As a conserved small GTPase (guanosine triphosphatase), ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) governs fundamental cellular events encompassing vesicle trafficking, cytoskeleton remodeling and lipid metabolic turnover. Emerging data confirm that ARF6 acts as a master rheostat of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in β-cells through downstream cell division control protein 42/Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Cdc42/Rac1) cascades. Pathogenic ARF6 hyperactivation triggers a cascade of β-cell lesions: mitochondrial impairment, autophagic suppression and exacerbated inflammatory signaling, accelerating the progression of obesity and T2DM. First-line therapeutics ranging from GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists and metformin to SGLT2 (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2) inhibitors partially restore metabolic homeostasis by rectifying aberrant ARF6-dependent signaling axes. This review comprehensively delineates ARF6’s canonical cellular roles, mechanistic bridges connecting ARF6 to β-cell failure and metabolic deterioration, and functional crosstalk between ARF6 and established anti-metabolic pharmacotherapies. We further address unresolved research gaps and prospective translational avenues, offering actionable perspectives to advance ARF6 as a tractable therapeutic target for obesity and T2DM management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Diabetes and Its Metabolic Complications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 8658 KB  
Article
ROS-Induced DNA Damage Enhances Sensitivity to PARP Inhibition in HSC3 and SCC25 Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
by Negar Taghavi Pourianazar
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(7), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48070692 - 5 Jul 2026
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a highly aggressive malignancy with poor clinical outcomes. Although poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have shown promising activity in tumors with homologous recombination deficiency, their efficacy in BRCA wild-type HNSCC remains limited. Reactive oxygen species [...] Read more.
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a highly aggressive malignancy with poor clinical outcomes. Although poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have shown promising activity in tumors with homologous recombination deficiency, their efficacy in BRCA wild-type HNSCC remains limited. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA damage may increase cellular dependence on DNA repair pathways and thereby enhance sensitivity to PARP inhibition. This study investigated whether ROS-mediated DNA damage could sensitize BRCA wild-type HNSCC cells to the PARP inhibitor olaparib. Methods: BRCA wild-type HSC-3 and SCC-25 HNSCC cell lines were exposed to H2O2 to induce oxidative stress. Intracellular ROS levels were quantified using DCFDA assays, DNA double-strand breaks were evaluated by γ-H2AX ELISA, PARP activity was assessed by ELISA, and cell viability was determined using MTT assays. Expression levels of DNA repair genes (PARP1, PARP2, BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, and MLH1), checkpoint kinases (ATM, ATR, and CHK1), the homologous recombination regulator FANCD2, and redox defense genes (NQO1, GPX4, and SLC7A11) were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Therapeutic selectivity was assessed using HGF-1 normal human gingival fibroblasts as a normal cell control. Apoptosis was measured through caspase-3/7 activity assays, and drug interactions were evaluated using the Chou–Talalay method. Results: H2O2 treatment increased intracellular ROS levels in both cell lines, accompanied by significant induction of DNA damage as demonstrated by elevated γ-H2AX levels. ROS induction markedly enhanced olaparib sensitivity, significantly reducing IC50 values in both HSC-3 and SCC-25 cells. Combined H2O2 and olaparib treatment produced strong synergistic cytotoxicity, suppressed DNA repair, checkpoint kinase, and redox defense gene expression, and increased caspase-3/7 activity compared with control cells. Importantly, the combination demonstrated selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, with normal HGF-1 cells retaining significantly higher viability. Conclusions: ROS-induced DNA damage significantly enhances the anti-tumor activity of olaparib in BRCA wild-type HNSCC cells through a functional synthetic lethal-like interaction involving the simultaneous collapse of DNA repair capacity, checkpoint activation, and oxidative stress buffering, culminating in apoptosis induction. These findings support the rationale for combining ROS-generating therapies with PARP inhibitors in HNSCC treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Medicine)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3764 KB  
Review
Targeting MET in 2025: From Exon 14 Skipping to MET-Amplified Acquired Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
by Aliya Khan, Michael Imeh, Priyanka Barad and Daniel Rosas
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(13), 5883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27135883 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 977
Abstract
MET pathway alterations have evolved from a niche translational interest into one of the most clinically actionable axes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Three biologically distinct lesions—MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutations, focal high-level MET amplification, and c-Met protein overexpression—are now individually [...] Read more.
MET pathway alterations have evolved from a niche translational interest into one of the most clinically actionable axes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Three biologically distinct lesions—MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutations, focal high-level MET amplification, and c-Met protein overexpression—are now individually targetable, each with its own diagnostic prerequisites and therapeutic class. Selective type Ib MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (capmatinib, tepotinib) anchor first-line therapy for METex14, while next-generation agents and type II inhibitors are being developed to address on-target D1228 and Y1230 resistance mutations. In parallel, MET amplification has emerged as a leading mechanism of acquired resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, with the SAVANNAH, SACHI, and INSIGHT 2 trials providing biomarker-guided combination strategies. The 2025 accelerated approval of telisotuzumab vedotin for c-Met-overexpressing tumors expanded the therapeutic armamentarium beyond kinase inhibition. Despite these advances, lineage plasticity, polyclonal bypass signaling, and inconsistent diagnostic thresholds for MET amplification continue to limit durable benefit. This review integrates the molecular biology, current clinical evidence, resistance mechanisms, and a proposed 2025 treatment algorithm for MET-altered NSCLC, with emphasis on the translational interface between mutation class, drug class, and emerging combinatorial approaches. As a narrative review, it synthesizes peer-reviewed literature and pivotal trial and regulatory data through early 2026, identified by structured searches of PubMed and major oncology congress proceedings, and prioritizes sources that link mutation class to drug class and resistance mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Science)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1070 KB  
Review
Selected Chemokines as Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Ovarian Cancer
by Anna Długaszek, Jacek Kabut, Małgorzata Domagała-Haduch, Anita Gorzelak-Magiera, Joanna Sadurska, Maria-Laura Morawiec, Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz and Iwona Gisterek-Grocholska
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(7), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48070673 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, particularly high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), remains one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies due to late diagnosis and the development of chemoresistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in disease progression, with chemokines influencing cell recruitment, angiogenesis, metastasis, [...] Read more.
Ovarian cancer, particularly high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), remains one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies due to late diagnosis and the development of chemoresistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in disease progression, with chemokines influencing cell recruitment, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune modification. This review synthesizes current evidence on key chemokine axes in ovarian cancer, highlighting their dual roles as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The most important axes include CXCL12/CXCR4 (which drives tumor proliferation, angiogenesis and chemoresistance via epithelial–mesenchymal transition), CCL2/CCR2 (promoting immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages and resistance), and CCL5/CCR5 (enhancing pro-oncogenic signaling and Treg/MDSC infiltration). Pro-angiogenic ELR+CXC chemokines like CXCL8 induce vascularization and inflammation. On the contrary, effector chemokines (CXCL9/10/11/13) correlate with “hot” immune subtypes and improved survival in several studies. High expression of immunosuppressive chemokines predicts poorer prognosis and therapy resistance, while immune-attracting profiles associate with better outcomes and chemotherapy responsiveness. Therapeutically, inhibitors like plerixafor (CXCR4), PF-04136309 (CCR2), and maraviroc (CCR5) show preclinical promise, synergizing with chemotherapy, anti-VEGF, and checkpoint inhibitors. Chemokines also represent actionable molecular targets to overcome ovarian cancer’s “cold” immune phenotype. Future research should validate multi-chemokine signatures for patient stratification and advanced clinical trials toward personalized therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Medicine)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop