As is the case with most eucaryotic cells, cancer cells are able to secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a communication means towards their environment and surrounding cells. EVs are represented by microvesicles and smaller vesicles called exosomes, which are known for their involvement in cancer aggressiveness. The release of such EVs requires the intervention of trafficking-associated proteins, mostly represented by the RAB-GTPases family. In particular, RAB27A is known for its role in addressing EVs-to-be secreted towards the the plasma membrane. In this study, shRNAs targeting RAB27A were used in colorectal (CRC) and glioblastoma (GB) cell lines in order to alter EVs secretion. To study and monitor EVs secretion in cell lines’ supernatants, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was used through the NanoSight NS300 device. Since it appeared that NanoSight failed to detect the decrease in the EVs secretion, we performed another approach to drop EVs secretion (RAB27A-siRNA, indomethacin, Nexihnib20). Similar results were obtained i.e., no variation in EVs concentration. Conversely, NTA allowed us to monitor EVs up-secretion following rotenone treatment or hypoxia conditions. Therefore, our data seemed to point out the insufficiency of using only this technique for the assessment of EVs secretion decrease.

The arrival of Neolithic culture in North Africa, especially domestic animals has been essentially documented from archaeological records. As the data relative to sheep are scarce, we studied the genetic relationship between Moroccan sheep breeds and Mediterranean ones using the sequencing of 628 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 193 Moroccan individuals, belonging to six breeds, and 652 sequences from other breeds in Europe and Middle East. Through Network analysis and an original phylogenetically derived method, the connection proportions of each Moroccan breed to foreign ones were estimated, highlighting the strong links between Moroccan and Iberian breeds. The first founders of Moroccan sheep population were issued at 79% from Iberia and 21% from a territory between Middle East and Africa. Their calculated expansion times were respectively 7,100 and 8,600 years B.P. This suggests that Neolithization was introduced by a double influence, from Iberia and from another route, maybe Oriental or Sub-Saharan. The consequence of the environmental changes encountered by founders from Iberia was tested using different neutrality tests. There are significant selection signatures at the level of Moroccan and European breeds settled in elevated altitudes, and an erosion of nucleotide diversity in Moroccan breeds living in arid areas.

Even though cancers have been widely studied and real advances in therapeutic care have been made in the last few decades, relapses are still frequently observed, often due to therapeutic resistance. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are, in part, responsible for this resistance. They are able to survive harsh conditions such as hypoxia or nutrient deprivation. Autophagy and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) secretion are cellular processes that help CSC survival. Autophagy is a recycling process and EVs secretion is essential for cell-to-cell communication. Their roles in stemness maintenance have been well described. A common pathway involved in these processes is vesicular trafficking, and subsequently, regulation by Rab GTPases. In this review, we analyze the role played by Rab GTPases in stemness status, either directly or through their regulation of autophagy and EVs secretion.

(1) Background: Tumors of the peritoneal serosa are called peritoneal carcinosis. Their origin may be primary by primitive involvement of the peritoneum (peritoneal pseudomyxoma, peritoneal mesothelioma, etc.). This damage to the peritoneum can also be a consequence of the dissipation of cancers—in particular, digestive (stomach, pancreas, colorectal, appendix) and gynecological (ovaries) ones in the form of metastases. The aim of the treatment is a maximal reduction of the macroscopic disease called “cytoreduction” in combination with hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy to treat residual microscopic lesions. (2) Methods: In this narrative review, we fundamentally synthetize the evolution of this process over time and its impact on clinical applications. (3) Results: Over the last past decade, different evolutions concerning both delivery modes and conditions concerning hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy have been realized. (4) Conclusion: The final objective of these evolutions is the improvement of the global and recurrence-free survival of primary and secondary malignant peritoneal pathologies. However, more large randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of such treatments with the help of molecular biology and genetics.

Autophagy is a homeostatic process involved in the degradation of disabled proteins and organelles using lysosomes. This mechanism requires the recruitment of specialized proteins for vesicle trafficking, that may also be involved in other types of machinery such as the biogenesis and secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and particularly small EVs called exosomes. Among these proteins, Rab-GTPases may operate in both pathways, thus representing an interesting avenue for further study regarding the interaction between autophagy and extracellular vesicle machinery. Both mechanisms are involved in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in cancer stem cell (CSC) survival and communication, although they are not specific to CRC or CSCs. This highlights the importance of studying the crosstalk between autophagy and EVs biogenesis and release.

(1) Background: Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, seems to protect against aggressive acquisition in colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, its mechanisms are still really unknown, raising questions about the possibility of its positive impact on non-diabetic patients with CRC. (2) Methods: An in vitro study based on human colon cancer cell lines and an ex vivo study with different colon cancer stages with proteomic and transcriptomic analyses were initiated. (3) Results: Metformin seems to protect from colon cancer invasive acquisition, irrespective of glucose concentration. (4) Conclusions: Metformin could be used as an adjuvant treatment to surgery for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients in order to prevent the acquisition of aggressiveness and, ultimately, recurrences.