• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권12호
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• pp.847-854
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• 2016

The early landmark discoveries in cancer metabolism research have uncovered metabolic processes that support rapid proliferation, such as aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), glutaminolysis, and increased nucleotide biosynthesis. However, there are limitations to the effectiveness of specifically targeting the metabolic processes which support rapid proliferation. First, as other normal proliferative tissues also share similar metabolic features, they may also be affected by such treatments. Secondly, targeting proliferative metabolism may only target the highly proliferating "bulk tumor" cells and not the slowergrowing, clinically relevant cancer stem cell subpopulations which may be required for an effective cure. An emerging body of research indicates that altered metabolism plays key roles in supporting proliferation-independent functions of cancer such as cell survival within the ischemic and acidic tumor microenvironment, immune system evasion, and maintenance of the cancer stem cell state. As these aspects of cancer cell metabolism are critical for tumor maintenance yet are less likely to be relevant in normal cells, they represent attractive targets for cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권7호
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• pp.410-415
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• 2023

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer among women worldwide. Among breast cancers, metastatic breast cancer is associated with the highest mortality rate. Twist1, one of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating transcription factors, is known to promote the intravasation of breast cancer cells into metastatic sites. Therefore, targeting Twist1 to develop anti-cancer drugs might be a valuable strategy. In this study, LY-290181 dose-dependently inhibited migration, invasion, and multicellular tumor spheroid invasion in breast cancer cell lines. These anti-cancer effects of LY-290181 were mediated through the down-regulation of Twist1 protein levels. LY-290181 inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways. Therefore, our findings suggest that LY-290181 may serve as a basis for future research and development of an anti-cancer agent targeting metastatic cancers.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.74-81
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• 2006

Molecular targeting may be defined as the specific concentration of a diagnostic or therapeutic tracer by its Interaction with a molecular species that is distinctly present or absent in a disease state. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) is one of the successful agents for targeted therapy in cancer. To enhance the therapeutic effect, the concept of targeting radionuclides to tumors using radiolabeled mAbs against tumor-associated antigens, radioimmunotherapy, was proposed. The efficacy of radioimmunotherapy, however, has to be further optimized. Several strategies to improve targeting of tumors with radiolabeled mAbs have been developed, such as the use of mAb fragments, the use of high-affinity mAbs, the use of labeling techniques that are stable in vivo, active removal of the radiolabeled mAb from the circulation, and pretargeting strategies. Until now, however, there are many kinds of obstacles to be solved in the use of mAb for the targeted therapy. Major technical challenges to molecular targeting are related to the rapid and specific delivery of tracers to the target, the elimination of unwanted background activity, and the development of more specific targets to create a cytocidal effect. further development of this field will be determined by success in solving these challenges.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.3905-3909
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• 2012

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women aged 35 to 74 years. Although there are several popular hypothesis of ovarian cancer pathogenesis, the genetic mechanisms are far from being clear. Recently, systems biology approaches such as network-based methods have been successfully applied to elucidate the mechanisms of diseases. In this study, we constructed a crosstalk network among ovarian cancer related pathways by integrating protein-protein interactions and KEGG pathway information. Several significant pathways were identified to crosstalk with each other in ovarian cancer, such as the chemokine, Notch, Wnt and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Results from these studies will provide the groundwork for a combination therapy approach targeting multiple pathways which will likely be more effective than targeting one pathway alone.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.19-28
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• 2018

Rapidly proliferating cancer cells require energy and cellular building blocks for their growth and ability to maintain redox balance. Many studies have focused on understanding how cancer cells adapt their nutrient metabolism to meet the high demand of anabolism required for proliferation and maintaining redox balance. Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in plasma, is a well-known nutrient used by cancer cells to increase proliferation as well as survival under metabolic stress conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of glutamine metabolism in cancer cell survival and growth and highlight the mechanisms by which glutamine metabolism affects cancer cell signaling. Furthermore, we summarize the potential therapeutic approaches of targeting glutamine metabolism for the treatment of numerous types of cancer.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Cancer stem cells, which are known to drive tumor formation and maintenance, are a major obstacle in the effective treatment of various types of cancer. Trans-membrane glycoprotein mucin 1 antigen and cell surface glycogen CD44 antigen are well-known surface markers of breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells, respectively. To effectively treat cancer cells and cancer stem cells, we developed a new drug-encapsulating liposome conjugated with dual-DNA aptamers specific to the surface markers of breast cancer cells and their cancer stem cells. These two aptamer (Apt)-targeted liposomes, which were prepared to encapsulate doxorubicin (Dox), were named "Dual-Apt-Dox". Dual-Apt-Dox is significantly more cytotoxic to both cancer stem cells and cancer cells compared to liposomes lacking the aptamers. Furthermore, we demonstrated the inhibitory efficacy of Dual-Apt-Dox against the experimental lung metastasis of breast cancer stem cells and cancer cells in athymic nude mice. We also showed the potent antitumor effects of dual-aptamer-conjugated liposome systems by targeting cancer cells as well as cancer stem cells. Thus, our data indicate that dual-aptamer-conjugated liposome systems can prove to be effective drug delivery vehicles for breast cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.234-237
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• 2015

Aptamers, composed of single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that interact with target molecules through a specific three-dimensional structure, are selected from pools of combinatorial oligonucleotide libraries. With their high specificity and affinity for target proteins, ease of synthesis and modification, and low immunogenicity and toxicity, aptamers are considered to be attractive molecules for development as anticancer therapeutics. Two aptamers - one targeting nucleolin and a second targeting CXCL12 - are currently undergoing clinical trials for treating cancer patients, and many more are under study. In this mini-review, we present the current clinical status of aptamers and aptamer-based cancer therapeutics. We also discuss advantages, limitations, and prospects for aptamers as cancer therapeutics. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 234-237]

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.429-436
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• 2018

Targeted intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents is one of the great challenges for cancer treatment. Aptamers that bind to a variety of biological targets have emerged as new targeting moieties with high specificity for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing hollow gold nanocages (AuNCs) were synthesized and conjugated with AS1411 aptamer to achieve cancer-targeted photothermal therapy. AuNC functionalized with PEG and AS1411 (AS1411-PEG-AuNC) exhibited selective cellular uptake in breast cancer cells due to selective binding of AS1411 to nucleolin, a protein that is over-expressed in cancer cells over normal cells. As a result, AS1411-PEG-AuNC showed cancer-targeted photothermal activity. This study demonstrates that aptamer-conjugated AuNCs are effective tumor-targeting photothermal agents.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.187-192
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• 2015

CD44 is a particular adhesion molecule and facilitates both cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. In particular, splice variants of CD44 are particularly overexpressed in a large number of malignancies and carcinomas. In this study, the $^{177}Lu$-labelled CD44 targeting antibody was prepared and bioevaluated in vitro and in vivo. Anti-CD44 was immunoconjugated with the equivalent molar ratio of cysteine-based DTPA-NCS and radioimmunoconjugated with $^{177}Lu$ at room temperature within 15 minutes. The stability was tested in human serum. An in vitro study was carried out in HT-29 human colon cancer cell lines. For the biodistribution study $^{177}Lu$-labelled anti-CD44 was injected in xenograft mice. Anti-CD44 was immunoconjugated with cysteine-based DTPA-NCS and purified by a centricon filter system having a molecular cut-off of 50 kDa. Radioimmunoconjugation with $^{177}Lu$ was reacted for 15 min at room temperature. The radiolabeling yield was >99%, and it was stable in human serum without any fragmentation or degradation. The radioimmunoconjugate showed a high binding affinity on HT-29 colon cancer cell surfaces. In a biodistribution study, the tumor-to-blood ratio of the radioimmunoconjugate was 43 : 1 at 1 day post injection (p.i) in human colon cancer bearing mice. The anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody for the targeting of colon cancer was effectively radioimmunoconjugated with $^{177}Lu$. The in vitro high immunoactivity of this radioimmunoconjugate was determined by a cell binding assay. In addition, the antibody's tumor targeting ability was demonstrated with very high uptake in tumors. This radioimmunoconjugate is applicable to therapy in human colon cancer with highly expressed CD44.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권4호
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• pp.188-193
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• 2024

Gastric cancer (GC), a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, remains a significant challenge despite recent therapeutic advancements. In this study, we explore the potential of targeting cell surface glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94) with antibodies as a novel therapeutic approach for GC. Our comprehensive analysis of GRP94 expression across various cancer types, with a specific focus on GC, revealed a substantial overexpression of GRP94, highlighting its potential as a promising target. Through in vitro and in vivo efficacy assessments, as well as toxicological analyses, we found that K101.1, a fully human monoclonal antibody designed to specifically target cell surface GRP94, effectively inhibits GC growth and angiogenesis without causing in vivo toxicity. Furthermore, our findings indicate that K101.1 promotes the internalization and concurrent downregulation of cell surface GRP94 on GC cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that cell surface GRP94 may be a potential therapeutic target in GC, and that antibody-based targeting of cell surface GRP94 may be an effective strategy for inhibiting GRP94-mediated GC growth and angiogenesis.