Neuroblastoma

This study demonstrates that INS, IGF-1, and IGF-2 regulate Rho GTPase and MRTFA activation, thereby contributing to the control of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in neuronal cells. Given the role of INS and IGFs in neuronal survival and neurodegenerative conditions, elucidating these mechanisms is of critical importance, as it offers insights into disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Conversely, neuroblastoma models with in-frame deletions mount an appropriate epigenetic response to RA. Taken together this shows that the mechanism of differentiation in ATRX-altered neuroblastoma depends on the type of ATRX alteration, with implications relating to both oncogenesis and therapeutic response.

In the third edition of this Special Issue, the participating researchers focused their studies on bispecific antibodies against solid tumors [contribution 1], teratoma development [contribution 2], the seminoma microenvironment [contribution 3], neuroblastoma and peptidergic systems [contribution 4], hepatocellular carcinoma [contribution 5], the synthesis of novel podophyllotoxin-benzothiazole congeners for use as anticancer agents [contribution 6], the effects of podophyllotoxin derivatives on non-cancerous diseases [contribution 7], and the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in chemical carcinogenesis [contribution 8] [...].

The study provides a TT-focused prospective analysis still rare in pediatric oncology. The outcomes indicate satisfactory tolerance and promising efficacy of TT, prompting an update of current treatment standards for several pediatric cancers.

Based on these results, sweet orange EO and its main component, (+)-limonene, can be considered as neuroprotective agents and are promising candidates for complementary therapy in Parkinson's disease.

Collectively, our findings indicate that while PrPC facilitates early events in αS aggregate interaction with neurons, the sustained neurotoxicity induced by αS prefibrillar oligomers and fibrils is predominantly mediated by extracellular Ca2+. This promotes aggregate-membrane interactions, membrane permeabilization, and intracellular Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, thereby establishing a vicious cycle of neuronal dysfunction and death.

CRISPR-mediated CXCL10 knock-in enhances CAR T cell infiltration and antitumour efficacy in vitro and in vivo, including humanized CD34⁺ HuNOG mice, where CXCL10-expressing tumours show stronger immune infiltration and prolonged tumour control within a reconstituted human immune microenvironment. Our findings establish a framework for safe and effective CRISPR-based cytokine delivery, integrating localized TME remodelling with cellular immunotherapies to enhance CAR T cells and other treatments in immune-refractory solid tumours.

This study identified and validated four EM-related prognostic biomarkers in neuroblastoma, with GNG12 functionally implicated in tumor cell proliferation and migration. These findings provide potential therapeutic targets and prognostic indicators for neuroblastoma management.

Salidroside may inhibit iron death by activating the PINK 1 / Parkin signaling pathway and thereby reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Targeted regulation of this pathway may become an important strategy to interfere with CIRI.

The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest that the extract of L. atropurpurea exerts inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma through the modulation of SRC, PI3K, and HSP90, while it demonstrates potential inhibitory activity against neuroblastoma by targeting SRC, PI3K, HSP90, ESR1, AKT, and other related targets. In conclusion, the L. atropurpurea extracts showed potential antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and selective anticancer effects, which support their potential for further research as therapeutic agents in drug development.

They modulated genetic pathways involved in dopaminergic signalling and showed high binding affinity for the AT1, AT2, D1A, D1B and D2 receptors. These findings suggest that cilazapril and benazepril exert multi-targeted protective effects that extend beyond simple antioxidant activity, and that they may be effective in treating or mitigating PD-related neurodegeneration.

In summary, we expand upon descriptions of H3K27me3 labeling in MCC and characterize patterns of H3K27me3 in other tumor types including small cell carcinomas and olfactory neuroblastoma. Our findings support diagnostic utility for the widely available marker H3K27me3 in MCC, with weaker labeling favoring MCC over mimics in challenging cases.