Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Prof Federica Sotgia's Outputs (74)

First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds (2020)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds. Aging, 12(11), 10162-10179. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103336

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to be responsible for tumor recurrence, distant metastasis and drug-resistance, in the vast majority of cancer patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs that can target and eradicat... Read More about First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds.

COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection? (2020)
Journal Article
Sargiacomo, C., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?. Aging, 12(8), 6511-6517. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103001

COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is a new emerging zoonotic corona virus of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) family. COVID-19 originated in China and spread world-wide, resulting in the p... Read More about COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?.

Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide from amycolatopsis alba, affects tumor growth and stemness by inducing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress (2019)
Journal Article

Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide biosynthesized by Amycolatopsis alba, is a thioviridamide-like molecule, and is part of a family of natural products representing a focus of biotechnological and pharmaceutical research in recent years due to thei... Read More about Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide from amycolatopsis alba, affects tumor growth and stemness by inducing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine). (2019)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine). Frontiers in Oncology, 9, 615. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2019.00615

Elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and/or metabolism are distinguishing features of cancer cells, as well as Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), which are involved in tumor initiation, metastatic dissemination, and therapy resistance. In fact, mitochondria-impa... Read More about Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine)..

Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features (2019)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features. Aging, 11(14), 4801-4835. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.102054

Using proteomics analysis, we previously compared MCF7 breast cancer cells grown as 3D tumor spheres, with the same cell line grown as monolayers. Our results indicated that during 3D anchorage‐independent growth, the cellular machinery associated wi... Read More about Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features.

Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs) (2019)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Tóth, F., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aging, 11(8), 2202-2216. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101905

Here, we devised a new strategy for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), via a "synthetic-metabolic" approach, involving two FDA-approved antibiotics and a dietary vitamin supplement. This approach was designed to induce a "rho-zero-like" phenotype... Read More about Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) (2019)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., Fiorillo, M., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs). Aging, 11(3), 1065-1068. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101822

Here, we discuss the expected hallmark(s) of the cancer cell of origin and how this may be related to a new tumor cell phenotype, namely "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs). e-CSCs show many features that would be characteristic of the cancer cell... Read More about Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs).

“Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy (2019)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). “Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy. Frontiers in Oncology, 8(677), https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00677

Here, we provide the necessary evidence that mitochondrial metabolism drives the anchorage-independent proliferation of CSCs. Two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 [ER(+)] and MDA-MB-468 (triple-negative), were used as model systems. To
directly... Read More about “Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy.

The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy (2018)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy. Aging, 10(12), 4000-4023. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101690

Naturally-occurring somatic mutations in the estrogen receptor gene (ESR1) have been previously implicated in the clinical development of resistance to hormonal therapies, such as Tamoxifen. For example, the somatic mutation Y537S has been specifical... Read More about The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy.

Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts (2018)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Nuttall, J., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts. Aging, 10(11), 3294-3307. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101633

Here, we employed a “senolytic” assay system as a screening tool, with the goal of identifying and repurposing FDA-approved antibiotics, for the targeting of the senescent cell population. Briefly, we used two established human fibroblast cell lines... Read More about Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts.

Doxycycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively reduces cancer stem cells (CSCs) in early breast cancer patients : a clinical pilot study (2018)
Journal Article

Background and objectives: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in tumor initiation, recurrence, metastatic spread and poor survival in multiple tumor types, breast cancers included. CSCs selectively overexpress key mitochondrial-related pro... Read More about Doxycycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively reduces cancer stem cells (CSCs) in early breast cancer patients : a clinical pilot study.

A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX (2018)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., Ozsvari, B., Fiorillo, M., De Francesco, E., Bonuccelli, G., & Lisanti, M. (2018). A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX. Cell Cycle, 17(17), 2091-2100. https://doi.org/10.1080/15384101.2018.1515551

Here, we wish to propose a new systematic approach to cancer therapy, based on the targeting of mitochondrial metabolism, especially in cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the future, we envision that anti-mitochondrial therapy would ultimately be practiced... Read More about A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX.

Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways (2018)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways. Aging, 10(8), 1867-1883. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101483

Matcha green tea (MGT) is a natural product that is currently used as a dietary supplement and may have significant anti-cancer properties. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underpinning its potential health benefits remain largely unknown. Here, w... Read More about Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication (2018)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication. Biochemical Journal, 475(9), 1611-1634. https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20170164

Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity is one of the most relevant features of cancer cells within different tumor types and is responsible for treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a population of cells with stem cell-like properties that... Read More about Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication.

Bergamot natural products eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting mevalonate, Rho-GDI-signalling and mitochondrial metabolism (2018)
Journal Article

Here, we show that a 2:1 mixture of Brutieridin and Melitidin, termed “BMF”, has a statin-like properties, which
blocks the action of the rate-limiting enzyme for mevalonate biosynthesis, namely HMGR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-
CoA-reductase). Mor... Read More about Bergamot natural products eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting mevalonate, Rho-GDI-signalling and mitochondrial metabolism.

Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs) (2018)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aging, 10(2), 229-240. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101384

Tri-phenyl-phosphonium (TPP) is a non-toxic chemical moiety that functionally behaves as a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) in living cells. Here, we explored the hypothesis that TPP-related compounds could be utilized to inhibit mitochondria in... Read More about Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling (2018)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling. Oncotarget, 9(17), 13254-13275. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.24285

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles frequently undergoing fission and fusion events to maintain their integrity, bioenergetics and spatial distribution, which is fundamental to the processes of cell survival. Disruption in mitochondrial dynamics play... Read More about Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling.

Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy (2017)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Bonuccelli, G., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Foster, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy. Aging, 9(12), 2610-2628. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101351

Here, we performed high-throughput drug-screening to identify new non-toxic mitochondrial inhibitors. This screening platform was specifically designed to detect compounds that selectively deplete cellular ATP levels, but have little or no toxic side... Read More about Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy.