Current Cancer Therapy Reviews - Volume 19, Issue 4, 2023

Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have been steadily decreasing in developed nations owing to the excellent screening programs executed. However, it still remains one of the most prevalent tumors in developing nations, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality in females. The major causal factor in the genesis of cervical cancer is recognized to be human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The female population, particularly in poor countries, is highly susceptible to HPV infections and cervical cancer as a result of the increasing costs posed by widespread cervical screening and HPV vaccination methods. Understanding the roles of HPV oncoproteins (E6 and E7) and non-coding RNAs, along with their many cellular targets, can help us develop targeted drug therapy to manage cervical cancer. In the hunt for novel ways for effective disease control and prevention, new insights and methodologies in molecular biology keep evolving continuously. In the recent past, newer studies have revealed deeper knowledge of HPV-activated molecular signaling pathways as well as prospective targets for early diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of HPV-related malignancies. Also, there has been much new research conducted on genome-editing tools for HPVinduced cervical cancer treatment in conjunction with other treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccines.

Endometrial cancer is gynecologic cancer that occurs in the uterus. Endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSC) are a small population of cancer cells that represent a crucial role in the metastasis of endometrial cancer cells to other organs in the body. ECSC can proliferate and give rise to mature cancer cells, which are found to participate in the aggressiveness of metastatic lesions. Therefore, targeting ECSC can be a valuable strategy for drug development against the metastasis of endometrial cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that several signaling pathways, including Wnt, mTOR, EGFR, NOTCH, STAT3, VEGF, and SHH show modest effects and regulate the growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumorigenesis of ECSC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) also play an important role in ECSC self-renewal, progression, and drug resistance. Hence, targeting these pathways might be a novel therapeutic approach for endometrial cancer diagnosis and therapy. This mini-review aims to characterize the main signaling pathways involved in the stimulation of ECSCs proliferation and tumorigenesis.

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths in women, with approximately 1.2 million new cases per year. Current treatment options for breast cancer include surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. However, the non-selective cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents often leads to severe side effects, while drug resistance can worsen patient outcomes. Therefore, the development of more effective and less toxic anticancer drugs is a critical need. This study aimed to review the literature on Echinococcus granulosus antigens with anticancer potential against triple-negative breast cancer. Recent studies have suggested that certain parasite antigens may have potential anticancer effects. Specifically, research has shown that echinococcosis, a disease caused by the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus, may have a protective effect against cancer. These findings offer new insights into the potential use of E. granulosus antigens in the development of novel cancer therapies and tumor cell vaccines. The findings of recent studies suggested that E. granulosus antigens may have the potential to be used in effective and less toxic cancer treatments. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the anticancer effects of these antigens and develop new cancer therapies and vaccines.

Objective: Recent scientific advances have expanded insight into the immune system and its response to malignant cells. In the past few years, immunotherapy has attained a hallmark for cancer treatment, especially for patients suffering from the advanced-stage disease. Modulating the immune system by blocking various immune checkpoint receptor proteins through monoclonal antibodies has improved cancer patients' survival rates. Methods: The scope of this review spans from 1985 to the present day. Many journals, books, and theses have been used to gather data, as well as Internet-based information such as Wiley, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, SpringerLink, and Online electronic journals. Key Findings: Current review elaborates on the potential inhibitory and stimulatory checkpoint pathways which are emerged and have been tested in various preclinical models, clinical trials, and practices. Twenty-odd such significant checkpoints are identified and discussed in the present work. Conclusion: A large number of ongoing studies reveal that combination therapies that target more than one signaling pathway may become effective in order to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Moreover, these immunotherapy targets can be a part of integrated therapeutic strategies in addition to classical approaches. It may become a paradigm shift as a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Cancer is a major cause of death for a huge amount of the population. A large population is suffering from this chronic disease, and various treatments and therapies are developed for the diagnosis of cancer. This review paper focuses on one of the treatments for cancer diagnosis, i.e., herbal silver nanoparticles. Herbal silver nanoparticles are plant-based materials with very less and minimum adverse effects of metals. Metal ions are reduced and stabilized by plant-based reducing and stabilizing agents. Nanoparticles are synthesized by physical, chemical and biological methods. Biological methods have very less toxic and have minimum side effects on the environment. Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles is performed by various techniques like SEM, TEM, UV visible spectroscopy and FTIR. However, full profile characterization of nanoparticles is still a challenge for researchers. Herbal silver nanoparticles have many therapeutic activities like antioxidant, antibacterial and various others, but this review paper has a focus on anticancer evaluation. Herbal silver nanoparticles are reported for their anticancer activities on a large scale. In this review article, we will discuss the methods of synthesis, characterization and anticancer potential of herbal silver nanoparticles.

Background: Most cervical cancer fatalities have been reported due to drug resistance, invasion, and metastasis. Combination therapy is a prominent technique for overcoming the toxicity of cancer chemotherapy to normal cells, which is mediated across numerous targeted pathways and requires a lower dose of each individual agent. Polyphenolic substances have the potential to improve chemotherapy efficacy while also reducing negative effects. Aims: This study aimed to review the research findings on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cervical cancer cell HeLa treated with combination therapy. Results: Hydroxyl radicals damage DNA, causing a cascade of structural changes in purine and pyrimidine bases that could lead to mutagenicity. ROS, such as hydroxyl radical (OH^-), superoxide anions (O2^-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and peroxyl radicals (ROO^-), are frequent products of aerobic metabolism that can be beneficial or detrimental to the biological system. To combat the harmful effects of ROS, cells have an antioxidative defense system that comprises superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione, and other defensive mechanisms. Excessive ROS accumulation causes DNA damage, which triggers the apoptotic machinery, resulting in cell death. Conclusion: Chemotherapeutic medications with phenolic compounds or polyphenol-rich extracts exhibit anticancer synergy. Combination treatment with polyphenols and anticancer drugs is one of the promising approaches in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Introduction: Breast cancer is overall considered the second most frequently recognized cancer worldwide. Several studies have recently reported the antitumoral properties of some medicinal herbs such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), and Rose (Rosa damascena Mill L). Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of these plants on breast cancer prevention in female mice. Methods: Mice were classified into five ten=mice groups: normal control (untreated group), tumor group (treated with 4T1 cells), and treatment groups (treated with 4T1 cells+ Yarrow or Rose and Marjoram plants). Then, the levels of cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidants were determined. Finally, the tumor size was evaluated. Results: The hydroalcoholic extract of Yarrow herb significantly decreased the levels of CA-15-3 and CEA (P-value = 0.008 and P-value = 0.018, respectively). In addition, hydroalcoholic extracts of Yarrow, Rose, and Marjoram plants significantly reduced tumor size in comparison with the tumor group (P-value < 0.001 for Yarrow, and P-value = 0.004 for Rose and Marjoram plants). Yarrow herb had the significantly highest effect on tumor size in comparison with Rose and Marjoram plants (P-value = 0.011 for both plants). However, no significant differences were found among the groups treated with the plants in comparison with the tumor mice in terms of SOD and total antioxidants (Pvalue > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that A. millefolium had the greatest antitumor effects on mice with breast cancer in comparison with O. majorana and R. damascena herbs. However, more complementary studies are needed in this regard.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecologic cancers associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is mounting evidence indicating an association between the 9p21 locus genetic variants with susceptibility to various human malignancies. In this current study, we aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between the rs1333049 genetic variant in chromosome 9p21 and the risk of cervical carcinogenesis. Methods: The possible correlation between rs1333049 polymorphism and susceptibility to cervical cancer was investigated in 221 patients with or without cancer. DNAs were isolated and genotyped using a TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR method. Results: The rs1333049 genetic variant was found to be correlated with an elevated risk of cervical neoplasia using recessive and additive genetic models (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the CDKN2A/B genetic variant (rs1333049) was significantly associated with an elevated risk of cancer, suggesting its potential as a novel predictive marker for cervical carcinogenesis.