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Objective: The current study aimed to determine the roles of pivotal and novel lncRNAs associated with the cell cycle in the occurrence and development of Colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: The TCGA-COAD project related to CRC was downloaded, and differential expression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. A cell cycle-associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed, and two novel lncRNAs were selected. Two subnetworks were constructed for selected lncRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were illustrated for the genes in each sub-network. qPCR analysis was used to validate the expression levels of the selected lncRNAs in CRC tissues compared to those adjacent normal tissues. Results: The differential expression analysis identified 416 lncRNAs, 317 miRNAs, and 117 mRNAs. The ceRNA subnetwork genes were associated with different pathways, including cellular senescence, DNA replication, human T-cell leukemia virus 1 infection, and oocyte meiosis. The bioinformatic results based on the TCGA project indicated the dysregulation of two novel lncRNAs, MIR29B2CHG and HELLPAR, in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, qPCR confirmed the dysregulation of lncRNAs in the CRC tissues. ROC curves revealed that both selected lncRNAs had acceptable specificity and sensitivity as biomarkers. Conclusion: In conclusion, novel cell cycle-associated lncRNAs have the potential to be understood as the underlying molecular mechanisms that influence CRC. Therefore, these lncRNAs can be considered as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Ceo2 NPs) are considered one of the most effective nanomaterials for drug delivery. The current study aimed to investigate the anticancer activities of doxorubicin-loaded Ceo2 NPs (DOX-Ceo2 NPs) against the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Ceo2 NPs were synthesized using the GREEN synthesis method and loaded with DOX (DOX-Ceo2 NPs). The physicochemical properties of the Ceo2 NPs were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, DLS, zeta potential, and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Cultured MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different concentrations of bare Ceo2 NPs, free DOX, and DOX-Ceo2 NPs. In addition, HDF cells were treated with different concentrations of Ceo2 NPs. MTT, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were performed to determine the cell viability, migration, and apoptosis, respectively. qPCR was performed to investigate the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, including caspase (CASP) 3, 8, 9, and Bcl-2. Results: The XRD and FTIR results confirmed the synthesis of pure and crystalline structured-Ceo2 NPs. The average size, PDI, and zeta potential of the Ceo2 NPs were approximately 239.1 nm, 0.074, and -9.04 mV, respectively. In vitro assays showed that DOX-Ceo2 NPs exhibited higher cell proliferation inhibition, migration suppression, and apoptosis induction through the upregulation of CASP3, CASP8, and CASP9 genes and downregulation of Bcl-2. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the potential of Ceo2 NPs for the efficient delivery of DOX and, subsequently, the improvement of its anticancer activities. Therefore, DOX-Ceo2 NPs have the potential to be proposed as promising anticancer agents for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]