Herein, we have investigated the toxicity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs in vitro and in vivo, and assessed their therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of breast cancer in order to obtain: first, the cytotoxicity effects of CNTs on MC4L2 cell and mice, second the impact of CNTs on ablation of breast tumor. CNTs especially SWCNTs were toxic to organs and induced death at high dosages. In this case, some of the liver cells showed a relative shrinkage which was also confirmed by Annexin test in MC4L2 cells. Moreover, CNTs decreased the tumor volume. BCL2 gene was down-regulated, and BAX and Caspase-3 were also up-regulated in the treated groups with CNTs. As a result, CNTs especially MWCNT in lower dosages can be used as a promising drug delivery vehicle for targeted therapy of abnormal cells in breast cancer.

Folate-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles (FA@Fe 3 o 4 NPs) were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method and then used as cancer theranostic agents by combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT). Crystal structure, morphology, magnetic properties, surface functional group, and heating efficacy of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, VSM, FTIR, and hyperthermia analyses. The results indicated that the crystal structure, magnetic properties, and heating efficacy of the magnetite nanoparticles were improved by hydrothermal treatment. Toxicity of the prepared NPs was assessed in vitro and in vivo on the mammary cells and BALB/c mice, respectively. The results of the in vitro toxicity analysis showed that the FA@ Fe 3 o 4 NPs are relatively safe even at high concentrations of the NPs up to 1000 µg mL −1. Also, the targetability of the FA@Fe 3 o 4 NPs for the detection of folate over-expressed cancer cells was evaluated in an animal model of breast tumor using MRI analysis. It was observed that T 2-weighted magnetic resonance signal intensity was decreased with the three-time injection of the FA@Fe 3 o 4 NPs with 24 h interval at a safe dose (50 mg kg −1), indicating the accumulation and retention of the NPs within the tumor tissues. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of the MHT using the FA@Fe 3 o 4 NPs was evaluated in vivo in breast tumor-bearing mice. Hyperthermia treatment was carried out under a safe alternating magnetic field permissible for magnetic hyperthermia treatment (f = 150 kHz, H = 12.5 mT). The therapeutic effects of the MHT were evaluated by monitoring the tumor volume during the treatment period. The results showed that the mice in the control group experienced an almost 3.5-fold increase in the tumor volume during 15 days, while, the mice in the MHT group had a mild increase in the tumor volume (1.8-fold) within the same period (P < 0.05). These outcomes give promise that FA@Fe 3 o 4 NPs can be used as theranostic agents for the MRI and MHT applications.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that play an essential role in various cellular activities, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of lncRNAs serves a fundamental role in the progression and initiation of various diseases, including cancer. Precision medicine is a suitable and optimal treatment method for cancer so that based on each patient’s genetic content, a specific treatment or drug is prescribed. The rapid advancement of science and technology in recent years has led to many successes in this particular treatment. Phytochemicals are a group of natural compounds extracted from fruits, vegetables, and plants. Through the downregulation of oncogenic lncRNAs or upregulation of tumor suppressor lncRNAs, these bioactive compounds can inhibit metastasis, proliferation, invasion, migration, and cancer cells. These natural products can be a novel and alternative strategy for cancer treatment and improve tumor cells’ sensitivity to standard adjuvant therapies. This review will discuss the antineoplastic effects of bioactive plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) via regulation of expression of lncRNAs in various human cancers and their potential for the treatment and prevention of human cancers.

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a type of aggressive brain cancer with limited success in standard treatment. MicroRNAs are one of the most beneficial tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of miR‐579 on cellular behaviors and expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in GBM cell lines. In the present study, miR‐579 was overexpressed in U251 and A‐172 cell lines by using lentil vector, and its effect on cellular behavior such as proliferation and migration was investigated by the cell cycle, 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Annexin V, colony formation, Transwell and wound healing assays. MiR‐579 predicted target genes (AKT1, Rheb, PDK1, and a few others) were also evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction or luciferase assay and Western blot analysis. Our results represented that overexpression of miR‐579 could inhibit proliferation, migration, cell cycle and also promoted the apoptosis of GBM cell lines. The luciferase reporter assay showed miR‐579 directly targets the 3 UTR of mTOR, Rheb, and PDK1 and repressed their expressions. Furthermore, the Western blot analysis showed that miR‐579 could downregulate the AKT1 and Rheb protein expression. Overall, our findings propose that miR‐579 functions as a novel tumor suppressor gene in GBM by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and may serve as a therapeutic target for clinical therapy of glioblastoma multiform.

The increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as multifactorial chronic liver disease and the lack of a specific treatment have begun a new era in its treatment using gene expression changes and microRNAs. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of natural compounds in NAFLD by regulating miRNA expression. MicroRNAs play essential roles in regulating the cell’s biological processes, such as apoptosis, migration, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and adipocyte differentiation, by controlling the posttranscriptional gene expression level. The impact of current NAFLD pharmacological management, including drug and biological therapies, is uncertain. In this context, various dietary fruits or medicinal herbal sources have received worldwide attention versus NAFLD development. Natural ingredients such as berberine, lychee pulp, grape seed, and rosemary possess protective and therapeutic effects against NAFLD by modifying the gene’s expression and noncoding RNAs, especially miRNAs.