Shiqi Wang

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited effective treatment options. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of novel pyrazole N-aryl sulfonate derivatives (compounds 4b, 4d, and 5f) as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, PTGS2) inhibitors in OSCC. Using CCK-8 and Transwell assays, we evaluated the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of these compounds on CAL-27 and SAS cell lines, while apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. Molecular mechanisms were investigated through RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA, focusing on COX-2, MMP2, MMP9, BCL2, BAX, and the JAK/STAT3 pathway. The results demonstrated that compounds 4b, 4d, and 5f significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration, induced apoptosis, and downregulated the expression of COX-2 and its downstream targets. Notably, these compounds exhibited lower cytotoxicity in VERO cells, indicating favorable biological safety. In conclusion, our findings suggest that pyrazole N-aryl sulfonate derivatives effectively suppress OSCC cell growth and migration by targeting COX-2 and the JAK/STAT3 pathway, highlighting their promise as potential targeted therapeutics for OSCC.

The pathogenesis of cancer is intricately associated with a multitude of factors, and its precise mechanisms continue to be a central focus of rigorous scientific inquiry. Adrenomedullin (ADM), initially characterized as a potent vasodilator, has subsequently been recognized for its diverse biological functions, including roles in angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and immune modulation. Recent studies have shown that ADM, secreted by tumor cells, also plays an important role in regulating immune escape and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment, promoting tumor cell proliferation, resisting apoptosis, adapting to anoxic environments, and participating in the process of chemotherapy resistance. Consequently, ADM is implicated in the pathophysiology of various cancers. This review summarizes the essential functions and potential mechanisms of ADM in the occurrence and progression in cancer, and presents the associated therapeutic challenges.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major global health concern, with ischemia-reperfusion injury exacerbating myocardial damage despite therapeutic interventions. In this study, we investigated the role of tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) in protecting cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-induced injury and oxidative stress. Using the AC16 and H9c2 cell lines, we established a chemical hypoxia model by treating cells with cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) to simulate low-oxygen conditions. We found that CoCl₂ treatment significantly upregulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in cardiomyocytes, indicating the successful induction of hypoxia. Subsequent morphological and biochemical analyses revealed that hypoxia altered cardiomyocyte morphology disrupted the cytoskeleton, and caused cellular damage, accompanied by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, indicative of oxidative stress. Lentivirus-mediated TPM3 overexpression attenuated hypoxia-induced morphological changes, cellular damage, and oxidative stress imbalance, while TPM3 knockdown exacerbated these effects. Furthermore, treatment with the HDAC1 inhibitor MGCD0103 partially reversed the exacerbation of hypoxia-induced injury caused by TPM3 knockdown. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis suggested that TPM3 may modulate cardiac muscle development, contraction, and adrenergic signaling pathways. In conclusion, our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of TPM3 modulation in mitigating hypoxia-associated cardiac injury, suggesting a promising avenue for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and other hypoxia-related cardiac pathologies.

The progression and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are highly influenced by cancer stem cells (CSCs) due to their unique self-renewal and plasticity. In this study, data were obtained from a single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset (GSE172577) in the GEO database, and LASSO-Cox regression analysis was performed on 1344 CSCs-related genes to establish a six-gene prognostic signature (6-GPS) consisting of ADM, POLR1D, PTGR1, RPL35A, PGK1, and P4HA1. High-risk scores were significantly associated with unfavorable survival outcomes, and these features were thoroughly validated in the ICGC. The results of nomograms, calibration plots, and ROC curves confirmed the good prognostic accuracy of 6-GPS for OSCC. Additionally, the knockdown of ADM or POLR1D genes may significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells through the JAK/HIF-1 pathway. Furthermore, cell-cycle arrest occurred in the G1 phase by suppressing Cyclin D1. In summary, 6-GPS may play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of OSCC and has the potential to be developed further as a diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic tool for OSCC.

The dual role of necroptosis in inhibiting and promoting tumor development has gradually received much attention because of its essential significance for targeted treatment. Accordingly, this study aims to explore the relationship between necroptosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and search for novel prognostic factors for OSCC. RNA-seq data and clinical information were downloaded from TCGA and GTEx databases. The prognostic signature of necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) was constructed by univariate Cox regression analysis and the LASSO Cox regression model. Moreover, survival analyses, ROC curves, and nomograms were adopted to further analyze. GO and KEGG analyses and immune infiltration analyses were used for function enrichment and immune feature research in turn. The NRG prognostic signature expression was higher in OSCC tissues than in normal tissues, and the overall survival (OS) rate of the high-expression group was much lower. HPRT1 was proved to be an independent prognostic factor in OSCC. Furthermore, the function enrichment analyses revealed that NRGs were involved in necroptosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and immune reaction. The expression of NRGs was related to immunosuppression in OSCC. Furthermore, the knockdown of HPRT1 could suppress the proliferation and migration of OSCC. In conclusion, the high expression of NRG prognostic signature is associated with poor prognosis in OSCC, and HPRT1 can serve as a novel independent prognostic factor for OSCC.