Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) has been reported to play key roles in a variety of cancers by degrading the extracellular matrix. However, its carcinogenic roles have not been shown yet in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to elucidate its expression pattern and functional roles as well as clinical significance in HNSCC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were utilized to determine the MMP1 expression pattern and the associations between its expression and patients’ outcome in HNSCC. Mice tongue squamous cell carcinoma model induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) and siRNA-mediated cellular assay in vitro were utilized to evaluate the oncogenic role of MMP1. The biological functions and cancer-related pathways involved in MMP1-related genes were found through bioinformatics analysis. Both mRNA and protein abundance of MMP1 were highly increased in HNSCC as compared to its non-tumor counterparts. MMP1 overexpression positively correlated with advanced tumor size, cervical node metastasis, and advanced pathological grade and lower patients’ survival. In the 4NQO-induced animal model, MMP1 expression increased along with the progression of the disease. In HNSCC cells, siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMP1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and activated apoptosis and epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). GSEA, GO, and KEGG analyses showed that MMP1 expression was significantly related to cancer-related pathways and cancer-related functions. Together, our results demonstrated MMP1 serves as a novel prognostic biomarker and putative oncogene in HNSCC.

Immunotherapy has dramatically changed prognosis for patients with malignant tumors. However, as a non-immunogenic tumor, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a low response to immunotherapy. Factors that contribute to the inefficiency of PDAC immunotherapy include the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its dense stroma, which acts as a barrier for drug delivery and immune cell infiltration. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies have more promising applications in improving drug delivery and reversing the immunosuppressive TME for PDAC. Therefore, nanomaterial-based therapeutic approaches are expected to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy and improve prognosis of patients with PDAC. Here, we outline the status and dilemma of PDAC immunotherapy, and summarize the latest advances in nanoparticle-based treatment strategies to enhance the efficacy of PDAC immunotherapy.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is applied in the anticancer adjuvant therapy of various malignancies and pancreatic cancer included. Xiaoji recipe consists several TCM materials with anticancer activities. In our work, we intended to analyze the molecular targets as well as the underlying mechanisms of Xiaoji recipe against pancreatic cancer. A total of 32 active components and 522 potential targets of Xiaoji recipe were selected using the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases. The potential target gene prediction in pancreatic cancer was performed using OMIM, Disgenet, and Genecards databases, and totally, 998 target genes were obtained. The component-disease network was constructed using the Cytoscape software, and 116 shared targets of pancreatic cancer and Xiaoji recipe were screened out. As shown in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, the top 20 hub genes such as TP53, HRAS, AKT1, VEGFA, STAT3, EGFR, and SRC were further selected by degree. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed that Xiaoji recipe may affect pancreatic cancer progression by targeting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, we performed in vitro assays to explore the effect of Xiaoji recipe on pancreatic cancer cells. The results revealed that Xiaoji recipe suppressed the viability and migration and promoted the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and STAT3 pathways. The findings of our study suggested the potential of Xiaoji recipe in the targeting therapy of pancreatic cancer.