No abstract

Hesperetin, an aglycone metabolite of hesperidin with high bioavailability, recently gained attention due to its anti-COVID-19 and anti-cancer properties. Multiple studies revealed that cancer patients are prone to experience a severe form of COVID-19 and higher mortality risk. In addition, studies suggested that COVID-19 can potentially lead to cancer progression through multiple mechanisms. This study proposes that hesperetin not only can be used as an anti-COVID-19 agent but also can reduce the risk of multiple cancer progression by suppressing several intracellular signaling pathways in cancer patients with COVID-19. Therefore, in this review, we attempted to provide evidence demonstrating anti-COVID-19/cancer properties of hesperetin with several mechanisms.

The permeability of glioblastoma, as well as its escaping the immune system, makes them one of the most deadly human malignancies. By avoiding programmed cell death (apoptosis), unlimited cell growth and metastatic ability could dramatically affect the immune system. Genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, and overexpression of oncogenes can cause this process. On the other hand, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and intratumor heterogeneity are important factors causing resistance to therapy. Several signaling pathways have been identified in this field, including the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) converter and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activator pathways, which are closely related. In addition, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway contributes to a wide array of tumorigenesis functions, including replication, anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Introducing this pathway as the main tumorigenesis and treatment resistance center can give a better understanding of how it operates. In light of this, it is an important goal in treating many disorders, particularly cancer. The inhibition of this signaling pathway is being considered an approach to the treatment of glioblastoma. The use of natural products alternatively to conventional therapies is another area of research interest among researchers. Some natural products that originate from plants or natural sources can interfere with JAK/STAT signaling in human malignant cells, also by stopping the progression and phosphorylation of JAK/STAT, inducing apoptosis, and stopping the cell cycle. Natural products are a viable alternative to conventional chemotherapy because of their cost-effectiveness, wide availability, and almost no side effects.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of leukemia with a poor prognosis and survival characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation. Despite advances in treatment, AML still has a low complete remission rate, particularly in elderly patients, and recurrences are frequently seen even after complete remissions. The major challenge in treating AML is the resistance of leukemia cells to chemotherapy drugs. Thus, to overcome this issue, it can be crucial to conduct new investigations to explore the mechanisms of chemo-resistance in AML and target them. In this review, the potential role of autophagy induced by FLT3-ITD and acid ceramidase in chemo-resistance in AML patients are analyzed. With regard to the high prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutation (about 25% of AML cases) and high level of acid ceramidase in these patients, we hypothesized that both of these factors could lead to chemo-resistance by inducing autophagy. Therefore, pharmacological targeting of autophagy, FLT3-ITD, and acid ceramidase production could be a promising therapeutic approach for such AML patients to overcome chemo-resistance.

Dear Editor, Nowadays, many studies suggest Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) potentially may contribute to multiple cancers' progression and poor outcomes in cancer treatments. Numerous studies have discussed some potential cellular and molecular mechanisms for the role of SARS-CoV-2 in these complications for cancer patients and related therapeutic approaches (Zalpoor, Akbari, Nayerain Jazi, Liaghat, & Bakhtiyari, 2022;.For instance, multiple signaling pathways and factors stimulated and upregulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection such as activated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and increased autophagy (