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The nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) has been implicated in the progression of cancers induced by high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). In cancer patients, NF‐κB is also thought to drive a chronic systemic inflammatory status, leading to cachexia. This study addressed the ability of dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT), a water‐soluble NF‐κB inhibitor, to block the development of HPV‐induced lesions and wasting syndrome in HPV16‐transgenic mice. Mice received DMAPT orally (100 mg/kg/day), once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly along with food and water intake. After 6 weeks the animals were submitted to a grip strength test and sacrificed for specimen collection. Skin samples were analyzed histologically and for expression of NF‐κB‐regulated genes Bcl2 and Bcl2l1. Gastrocnemius muscles were weighted and analyzed for expression of NF‐κB subunits p50, p52, p65, and Rel‐B. DMAPT reduced the incidence of epidermal dysplasia (18.2% versus 33.3% in HPV16+/− untreated mice). This was associated with reduced expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 (p = .0003 and p = .0014, respectively) and reduced neutrophilic infiltration (p = .0339). Treated mice also showed partially preserved bodyweight and strength, which were independent of the expression levels of NF‐κB subunits in skeletal muscle.These results suggest that NF‐κB inhibition may be a valid strategy against HPV‐induced lesions in vivo and warrant further preclinical tests particularly in the set of combination therapies. In addition, the data may support the use of DMAPT to prevent wasting syndrome.

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This study aimed to characterize an animal model of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the early stages of disease development. Twenty-nine male Wistar rats were divided into two control groups (CTRL1 and CTRL2), receiving EDTA–saline injections and two induced groups (CRC1 and CRC2), receiving 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injections for seven consecutive weeks. CRC1 and CTRL1 were euthanized at the 11th week, while CRC2 and CTRL2 were euthanized at the 17th week. DMH treatment decreased microhematocrit values and IL-6, ghrelin, and myostatin serum levels. Histopathological analysis of intestinal sections showed that DMH-treated rats were characterized by moderate to severe epithelial dysplasia. An adenoma was observed in one animal (CRC2 group), and the presence of inflammatory infiltrate at the intestinal level was primarily observed in DMH-treated animals. DMH also induced Ki-67 immunoexpression. The gut microbiota analysis showed a higher abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Peptostreptococcaceae, Blautia, Romboutsia, and Clostridium sensu stricto in CRC than CTRL rats, whereas Prevotellaceae, Prevotella, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus levels were more prevalent in CTRL animals. Our results suggest that this model could be helpful to investigate chemoprevention in the early stages of CRC.

Most patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are not cured with platinum chemotherapy. Up‐regulation of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) is a major mechanism underlying chemoresistance, suggesting that its pharmacological inhibition may increase platinum efficacy. NF‐κB signaling was investigated in two patient cohorts. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to correlate NF‐κB signaling and patient survival. The efficacy of cisplatin plus the NF‐κB inhibitor dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT) versus cisplatin or DMAPT alone was tested in vitro. Xenografted and immunocompetent MIBC mouse models were studied in vivo. Platinum‐naive claudin‐low MIBC showed constitutive NF‐κB signaling and this was associated with reduced disease‐specific survival in TCGA patients. Chemotherapy up‐regulated NF‐κB signaling and chemoresistance‐associated genes, including SPHK1, PLAUR and SERPINE1. In mice, DMAPT significantly improved the efficacy of cisplatin in both models. The combination preserved body weight, renal function and morphology, reduced muscle fatigue and IL‐6 serum levels, and did not aggravate immuno‐hematological toxicity compared with cisplatin alone. These data provide a rationale for combining NF‐κB inhibition with platinum‐based chemotherapy and conducting a clinical trial in MIBC patients.

Dicoumarol, a coumarin-like compound, is known for its anticoagulant properties associated with the ability to inhibit vitamin K, being prescribed as a drug for several decades. The pharmaceutical value of dicoumarol turned it into a focus of chemists’ attention, aiming its synthesis and of dicoumarol derivatives, bringing to light new methodologies. In recent years, several other bioactive effects have been claimed for dicoumarol and its derivatives, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer, although the mechanisms of action underlying them are mostly not disclosed and additional research is needed to unravel them. This review presents a state of the art on the chemistry of dicoumarols, and their potential anticancer characteristics, highlighting the mechanisms of action elucidated so far. In parallel, we draw attention to the lack of in vivo studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy as drugs for later application.