A new research perspective was published in Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by MEDLINE/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 2, entitled, “Are menopause, aging and prostate cancer diseases?”

In this new research perspective, researcher Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny M.D., Ph.D., from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center wrote in the abstract: “There is no doubt that prostate cancer is a disease. Then, according to hyperfunction theory, menopause is also a disease. Like all age-related diseases, it is a natural process, but is also purely harmful, aimless and unintended by nature. 

But exactly because these diseases (menopause, prostate enlargement, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, presbyopia and thousands of others) are partially quasi-programmed, they can be delayed by slowing aging. 

Is aging a disease? Aging is a quasi-programmed disease that is partially treatable by rapamycin. On the other hand, aging is an abstraction, a sum of all quasi-programmed diseases and processes. In analogy, the zoo consists of animals and does not exist without animals, but the zoo is not an animal.”


Read the Full Paper: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204499 

Corresponding Author: Mikhail V. Blagosklonny

Corresponding Emails: Blagosklonny@oncotarget.com, Blagosklonny@rapalogs.com 

Keywords: geroscience, mTOR, hyperfunction theory of aging, lifespan, healthspan

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About Aging-US

Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging-US go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways.

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Aging (Aging-US)

Are Menopause, Aging and Prostate Cancer Diseases?

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on February 2, 2023, entitled, “Everolimus downregulates STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway to inhibit angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in TP53 mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).”

TP53 mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients exhibit poor clinical outcomes with 50–60% recurrence rates in advanced stage patients. In a recent phase II clinical trial, adjuvant therapy with everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) significantly increased 2-year progression-free survival in p53 mutated patients. TP53-driven mTOR activation in solid malignancies causes upregulation of HIF-1α and its target, downstream effector VEGF, by activating STAT3 cell signaling pathway. 

In this recent study, researchers Md Maksudul Alam, Janmaris Marin Fermin, Mark Knackstedt, Mackenzie J. Noonan, Taylor Powell, Landon Goodreau, Emily K. Daniel, Xiaohua Rong, Tara Moore-Medlin, Alok R. Khandelwal, and Cherie-Ann O. Nathan from LSU-Health Sciences Center investigated the effects of everolimus on the STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in TP53 mutant cell lines and xenograft models. 

“The role of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) as potent growth inhibitory and antiangiogenic/anti-lymphangiogenic agents in HNSCC is well established [18]. Moreover, mTORi significantly suppressed baseline invasiveness of endothelial and HNSCC tumor cells [19]. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for mutant p53 protein-mediated activation of the mTOR pathway which drive the oncologic processes in HNSCC are yet to be elucidated.”

Treatment with everolimus significantly inhibited cell growth in vitro and effectively reduced the growth of TP53 mutant xenografts in a minimal residual disease (MRD) model in nude mice. Everolimus treatment was associated with significant downregulation of STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in both models. Further, treatment with everolimus was associated with attenuation in tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis as indicated by decreased microvessel density of vascular and lymphatic vessels in HN31 and FaDu xenografts. Everolimus downregulated the STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway to inhibit growth and in vitro tube formation of HMEC-1 (endothelial) and HMEC-1A (lymphatic endothelial) cell lines. 

“Our studies demonstrated that everolimus inhibits the growth of TP53 mutant tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through the downregulation of STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling.”

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28355 

Correspondence to: Cherie-Ann O. Nathan - cherieann.nathan@lsuhs.edu 

Keywords: TP53 mutant, HNSCC, angiogenesis, everolimus, mTOR

About Oncotarget

Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form, and then quickly released to Pubmed. On September 15, 2022, Oncotarget was accepted again for indexing by MEDLINE. Oncotarget is now indexed by Medline/PubMed and PMC/PubMed.

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Oncotarget

Everolimus Inhibits Angiogenesis, Lymphangiogenesis in TP53 Mutant HNSCC

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on May 19, 2023, entitled, “G-protein-coupled receptor 141 mediates breast cancer proliferation and metastasis by regulating oncogenic mediators and the p-mTOR/p53 axis.”

Breast cancer morbidity is surging towards the peak in females across the globe. An inherent property of cancer cells is enhanced cell proliferation rate and migration capability, leading to deregulated cell signaling cascades. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have recently emerged as a hot-spot target in cancer research.

Researchers Monalisa Parija, Amit K. Adhya and Sandip K. Mishra from the Institute of Life Sciences, Regional Centre for Biotechnology and All India Institute of Medical Sciences identified aberrant expression of G-protein-coupled receptor 141 (GPR141) in different breast cancer subtypes that correlate with poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanism via which GPR141 advances breast cancer remains elusive. Increased GPR141 expression enhances the migratory behavior of breast cancer, driving oncogenic pathways both in vitro and in vivo through activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), oncogenic mediators and regulation of p-mTOR/p53 signaling. 

“Our study unveils a molecular mechanism for p53 downregulation and activation of p-mTOR1 and its substrates in GPR141 overexpressed cells, accelerating breast tumorigenesis.”

In their current study, the researchers found that an E3 ubiquitin ligase, Cullin1, partly mediates p53 degradation via proteasomal pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation results show that the phosphorylated form of 40S ribosome protein S6 (ps6., a p-mTOR1 substrate) forms a complex with Cullin1. These findings suggest an interplay between Cullin1 and p-mTOR1 in GPR141 overexpressed cells that downregulates p53 expression, thus inducing tumor growth. 

GPR141 silencing restores p53 expression and attenuates p-mTOR1 signaling events, thereby impeding proliferation and migration in breast cancer cells. Their findings describe the role of GPR141 in breast cancer proliferation, and metastasis, as well as in influencing the tumor microenvironment. Modulating GPR141 expression could pave the way for a better therapeutic approach to regulating breast cancer progression and metastasis.

“In conclusion, our research highlights the gain of function of GPR141 drives breast tumorigenesis by inducing tumor cell properties via the p-mTOR1/p53 axis, altering EMT markers, and enhancing oncogenic mediators.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28433

Correspondence to - Sandip K. Mishra - sandipkmishra@ils.res.in

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Keywords - G-protein-coupled receptor 141, cell migration, metastasis, p-mTOR, p53

About Oncotarget

Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form, and then quickly released to Pubmed. On September 15, 2022, Oncotarget was accepted again for indexing by MEDLINE. Oncotarget is now indexed by Medline/PubMed and PMC/PubMed.

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GPR141 Regulates Breast Cancer Progression via Oncogenic Mediators and the p-mTOR/p53 Axis

A new research perspective was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 14, entitled, “Towards disease-oriented dosing of rapamycin for longevity: does aging exist or only age-related diseases?”

In his new research perspective, Dr. Mikhail V. Blagosklonny from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses aging and rapamycin (Sirolimus) — the only drug that consistently extends life span in countless animal studies in all species tested. He writes that individuals taking rapamycin and those not taking it will ultimately succumb to age-related diseases. However, if administered in disease-oriented dosages for an extended period of time, individuals taking rapamycin may experience a delayed onset of such diseases, and live longer. 

“The goal is to delay a particular disease that is expected to be life-limiting in a particular person.”

Age-related diseases, quasi-programmed during development, progress at varying rates in different individuals. Rapamycin is a prophylactic anti-aging drug that decelerates early development of age-related diseases. Dr. Blagosklonny further discusses the hyperfunction theory of quasi-programmed diseases, which challenges the need for the traditional concept of aging itself.

“I emphasize that aging is not programmed but, in contrast, quasi-programmed. Quasi means pseudo; seemingly; apparently but not really. Some scientists deliberately represent hyperfunction theory as theory of programmed aging. It’s the opposite. Quasi-program is a continuation of a real program. Quasi-program has no intent, no purpose and it is always harmful.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204920

Corresponding author - Mikhail V. Blagosklonny - Blagosklonny@oncotarget.com

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Keywords - aging, mTOR, hyperfunction, lifespan, health span, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease

About Aging-US

Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging-US go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways.

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

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Towards Disease-Oriented Dosing of Rapamycin for Longevity

BUFFALO, NY- October 30, 2024 – A new #research paper was #published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on October 11, 2024, entitled “Initiation of tumor dormancy by the lymphovascular embolus.”

Researchers Yin Ye, Justin Wang, Michael G. Izban, Billy R. Ballard, and Sanford H. Barsky from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, and Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA, uncovered critical mechanisms that lead to tumor dormancy in breast cancer. This study sheds light on how certain cancer cells can remain dormant for years before potentially reawakening as metastatic tumors.

Using breast cancer patient-derived organoids and tumor samples, the research team discovered that tumor dormancy in breast cancer can be triggered by specific signaling changes within small cell clusters, called tumor emboli, which detach from the primary tumor and travel through the bloodstream. These emboli can remain inactive, sometimes for years, before reawakening in other parts of the body. Key changes include reduced activity of mTOR, a metabolic regulator, and structural shifts in E-cadherin, a molecule involved in cell adhesion. This study also suggests these changes are regulated by the PI3K pathway and occur within the unique three-dimensional structure of tumor spheroids, shedding light on the interactions within dormant cell clusters.

As a conclusion, this work not only identifies mTOR and E-cadherin as key components in maintaining dormancy but also offers a promising roadmap for future therapies. By targeting these pathways, there may be potential to keep cancer cells in a dormant state, reducing the risk of late-stage recurrence and improving patient outcomes.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28658

Correspondence to - Sanford H. Barsky - sbarsky@mmc.edu

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6ex7Yl8r5Q

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Keywords - cancer, dormancy, lymphovascular embolus, mTOR, E-cadherin proteolysis

About Oncotarget 

Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science.

Oncotarget is indexed and archived by PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science).

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Tumor Dormancy Initiated by Lymphovascular Embolus

Cancer dormancy is a phenomenon in which, after treatment, residual cancer cells remain inactive in the body for months or even years. During this time, patients often show no signs of the disease. These dormant cells can unpredictably reawaken, leading to tumor recurrence—a significant challenge in cancer treatment. Despite progress in cancer research, the factors that control dormancy and subsequent reactivation remain poorly understood. Identifying these factors and understanding how cancer cells dormancy and reactivation occur could be crucial to preventing cancer recurrence. 

This question was the focus of a recent study titled “Initiation of Tumor Dormancy by the Lymphovascular Embolus,” published in Oncotarget Volume 15, on October 11, 2024. In this blog, we will look at the key findings and implications of this important work.

Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2024/11/13/cancer-dormancy-and-tumor-recurrence-new-insights-for-breast-cancer/

Research paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28658

Correspondence to - Sanford H. Barsky - sbarsky@mmc.edu

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Keywords - cancer, dormancy, lymphovascular embolus, mTOR, E-cadherin proteolysis

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Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science.

Oncotarget is indexed and archived by PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science).

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Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Recurrence: New Insights for Breast Cancer

BUFFALO, NY — April 3, 2025 — Aging (Aging-US) is pleased to announce a special Call for Papers for a commemorative collection honoring the legacy of Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny, the founding editor of the journal and a pioneer in aging biology. His groundbreaking work shaped fundamental concepts in the field, particularly regarding the role of mTOR in aging and cancer, the use of rapamycin, bypassing senescence during the process of transformation, personalized medicine, and theories on why we age.

This special collection will explore key themes central to Dr. Blagosklonny’s scientific contributions, with a focus on mechanistic insights, translational approaches, and theoretical perspectives. We invite original research, reviews, and perspective articles covering topics such as:

The role of mTOR in aging and age-related diseases

Rapamycin and other pharmacological strategies to extend lifespan

Senescence bypass and its implications for cancer and regenerative medicine

Personalized medicine approaches in aging and longevity research

Theoretical models and evolutionary perspectives on aging

The special issue will be guest-edited by leading scientist in the field, David Gems, who will oversee the selection of high-quality contributions that reflect the depth and impact of Dr. Blagosklonny’s work.

We encourage researchers working on these topics to submit their manuscripts and contribute to this tribute to one of the most influential figures in aging research.

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025

Manuscript Format: Please follow the journal’s submission guidelines

Peer Review: All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process

Submission Link: https://aging.msubmit.net/cgi-bin/main.plex

We look forward to your contributions to this special issue and to honoring Dr. Blagosklonny’s enduring impact on the field of aging research.

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Call for Papers: Special Collection Honoring Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny

Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form and then quickly released to Pubmed.

Oncotarget is now indexed by MEDLINE, PubMed and PMC/PubMed.

Read about the Oncotarget Scientific Integrity Process: https://www.oncotarget.com/scientific_integrity/

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease.

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

New tracks tagged #mtor