Exploring long-term protection of normal human fibroblast and epithelial cells from chemotherapy in cell culture. Zoya N Demidenko

Exploring long-term protection of normal human fibroblast and epithelial cells from chemotherapy in cell culture

Abstract
Killing of proliferating normal cells limits chemotherapy of cancer. Several strategies to selectively protect normal cells were previously suggested. Here we further explored the protection of normal cells from cell cycle-specific chemotherapeutic agents such as mitotic inhibitors (MI). We focused on a long-term cell recovery (rather than on a short-term cell survival) after a 3-day exposure to MI (paclitaxel and nocodazole). In three normal human cell types (RPE, NKE, WI-38t cells) but not in cancer cells with mutant p53, pre-treatment with nutlin-3a, a non-genotoxic inducer of wt p53, caused G1 and/or G2 arrest, thus preventing lethal mitotic arrest caused by MI and allowing normal cells to recover after removal of MI. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of the nutrient-sensing mTOR pathway, potentiated the protective effect of nutlin-3a in normal cells. Also, a combination of rapamycin and metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, induced G1 and G2 arrest selectively in normal cells and thereby protected them from MI. A combination of metformin and rapamycin also protected normal cells in low glucose conditions, whereas in contrast it was cytotoxic for cancer cells. Based on these data and the analysis of the literature, we suggest that a rational combination of metformin and rapamycin can potentiate chemotherapy with mitotic inhibitors against cancer, while protecting normal cells, thus further increasing the therapeutic window.

impact factor of oncotarget Zoya Demidenko Dr. Zoya N. Demidenko Zoya N. Demidenko , Ph.D. is Executive Manager of the Oncotarget journal . Oncotarget publishes high-impact research papers of general interest and outstanding significance and novelty in all areas of biology and medicine: in translational, basic and clinical research including but not limited to cancer research, oncogenes, oncoproteins and tumor suppressors, signaling pathways as potential targets for therapeutic intervention, shared targets in different diseases (cancer, benign tumors, atherosclerosis, eukaryotic infections, metabolic syndrome and other age-related diseases), chemotherapy, and new therapeutic strategies. After earning her Ph.D. in molecular biology, Zoya was awarded a Fogarty post-doctoral Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. After successful completion of post-doctoral training, she continued her professional career at George Washington University and Albert Einstein School of Medicine . In 2005 she cofounded the startup company Oncotarget Inc. which is focused on the development of anti-aging and anti-cancer drugs. Her research interests include signal transduction, cell cycle and cellular senescence, and their pharmacological targeting. In 2009 she cofounded the publishing house Impact Journals which specializes in publishing scientific journals. In 2011 she was selected to be a Member of the National Association of Professional Women .


When people speak of today’s medicine, accuracy plays one of the most important roles and people’s lives are directly dependent on it. Likewise, any researches pertaining to medicine are necessary to comply with the top standards. The problem nowadays is that any results of researches can be published online and used as a reference without being thoroughly verified and validated. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny of Oncotarget perfectly understood this issue and attempted to generate an alternative solution. That’s how a weekly oncology-focused research journal called “Oncotarget” has been established back in 2010. The major principle of this journal is related to Altmetric scores that are used as a quality indicator. That helps both readers and authors to quality-check publications with Altmetric Article Reports that generate “real-time feedback containing data summary related to a particular publication.” Oncotarget website has a complete publications list with corresponding scores above 100 as well as reports discussed above. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny proud to share his new approach and hopes it provides the required help to anybody, who has interest in oncology.
“A diagnostic autoantibody signature for primary cutaneous melanoma” has the Altmetric score of 594. This article was released back in 2018 by Oncotarget and written by various experts from Hollywood Private Hospital, Edith Cowan University, Dermatology Specialist Group, St. John of God Hospital and The University of Western Australia. The introduction of the study mentions that “recent data shows that Australians are four times more likely to develop a cancer of the skin than any other type of cancer”, and shares an insight on melanoma that “is curable by surgical excision in the majority of cases, if detected at an early stage.”
The publication has got an Altmetric score of 594. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny realizes that majority of readers are aiming to comprehend the very meaning of it. Based on the Altmetric website, the score relates to “how many people have been exposed to and engaged with a scholarly output.” Hence, the article about melanoma, was utilized for citations in various news articles 69 times. In addition, it was quoted in 2 online blogs, as well as 25 Tweets on Twitter and 1 Facebook post. FOX23 of Tulsa, Oklahoma has headlined their news on July 20, 2018 as “New blood test could detect skin cancer early”, using the main content of Australia study 
Another Oncotarget’s study with a top score of 476, is “Biomarkers for early diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma: Do we need another moon-shot,”. This article has appeared in 60 news stories, 1 online blog post and 6 Twitter posts. The majority of public may have seen a concise overview only, however those who visit Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny at Oncotarget, do receive useful scientific facts. Oncotarget is happy to have the ability to share with online viewers this highly appreciated and high-quality information, that is trustworthy and reliable.

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