Fernando Mendonça Diz

Dr. Fernando Mendonça Diz

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 March 2021 in Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BCBruna Pasqualotto Costa
Bruna Pasqualotto Costa
MNMarcella Tornquist Nassr
Marcella Tornquist Nassr
FDFernando Mendonça Diz
Fernando Mendonça Diz
KFKrist Helen Antunes Fernandes
Krist Helen Antunes Fernandes
GAGéssica Luana Antunes
Géssica Luana Antunes
JOJarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira

30 April 2025 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMarina Ottmann Boff
Marina Ottmann Boff
FXFernando Antonio Costa Xavier
Fernando Antonio Costa Xavier
FDFernando Mendonça Diz
Fernando Mendonça Diz
JGJúlia Budelon Gonçalves
Júlia Budelon Gonçalves
LFLaura Ferreira
Laura Ferreira
GZGabriele Zanirati
Gabriele Zanirati
MTORopathies represent a group of neurodevelopmental disorders linked to dysregulated mTOR signaling, resulting in conditions such as tuberous sclerosis complex, focal cortical dysplasia, hemimegalencephaly, and Smith–Kingsmore Syndrome. These disorders often manifest with epilepsy, cognitive impairments, and, in some cases, structural brain anomalies. The mTOR pathway, a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism, plays a crucial role in brain development, where its hyperactivation leads to abnormal neuroplasticity, tumor formation, and heightened neuronal excitability. Current treatments primarily rely on mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin, which reduce seizure frequency and tumor size but fail to address underlying genetic causes. Advances in gene editing, particularly via CRISPR/Cas9, offer promising avenues for precision therapies targeting the genetic mutations driving mTORopathies. New delivery systems, including viral and non-viral vectors, aim to enhance the specificity and efficacy of these therapies, potentially transforming the management of these disorders. While gene editing holds curative potential, challenges remain concerning delivery, long-term safety, and ethical considerations. Continued research into mTOR mechanisms and innovative gene therapies may pave the way for transformative, personalized treatments for patients affected by these complex neurodevelopmental conditions.

17 September 2024 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CGCarla Fernanda Furtado Gardani
Carla Fernanda Furtado Gardani
FDFernando Mendonça Diz
Fernando Mendonça Diz
LDLuísa Brandalise Dondé
Luísa Brandalise Dondé
LRLiliana Rockenbach
Liliana Rockenbach
SLStefan Laufer
Stefan Laufer
FMFernanda B Morrone
Fernanda B Morrone
Purines and pyrimidines are signaling molecules in the tumor microenvironment that affect cancer immunity. The purinergic signaling pathways have been shown to play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. CD39 and CD73 are ectonucleotidases responsible for breaking down ATP or ADP into adenosine, which regulates immunosuppression in various types of cancer. These enzymes have been studied as a potential therapeutic target in immunotherapy, and recent research suggests a correlation between ectonucleotidases and clinical outcomes in cancer.Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men, after non-melanoma skin tumors, and is the second leading cause of death in men in the world. Despite having long survival periods, patients often receive excessive or insufficient treatment. Within this complex landscape, the adenosine/CD73 pathway plays a crucial role. Therefore, this review aims to highlight new findings on the potential role of purinergic signaling in cancer treatment and emphasizes the importance of anti-CD73 as a pharmacological strategy for prostate cancer therapy.

8 June 2024 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JSJulia Marchet Scopel
Julia Marchet Scopel
BNBruna Medeiros Neves
Bruna Medeiros Neves
HTHelder Teixeira
Helder Teixeira
NBNathalya T. Brazil
Nathalya T. Brazil
SBSérgio A. L. Bordignon
Sérgio A. L. Bordignon
RVRubem Mário Figueiró Vargas
Rubem Mário Figueiró Vargas
Pterocaulon polystachyum is a species of pharmacological interest for providing volatile and non-volatile extracts with antifungal and amebicidal properties. The biological activities of non-volatile extracts may be related to the presence of coumarins, a promising group of secondary metabolites. In the present study, leaves and inflorescences previously used for the extraction of essential oils instead of being disposed of were subjected to extraction with supercritical CO2 after pretreatment with microwaves. An experimental design was followed to seek the best extraction condition with the objective function being the maximum total extract. Pressure and temperature were statistically significant factors, and the optimal extraction condition was 240 bar, 60 °C, and pretreatment at 30 °C. The applied mathematical models showed good adherence to the experimental data. The extracts obtained by supercritical CO2 were analyzed and the presence of coumarins was confirmed. The extract investigated for cytotoxicity against bladder tumor cells (T24) exhibited significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations between 6 and 12 μg/mL. The introduction of green technology, supercritical extraction, in the exploration of P. polystachyum as a source of coumarins represents a paradigm shift with regard to previous studies carried out with this species, which used organic solvents. Furthermore, the concept of circular bioeconomy was applied, i.e., the raw material used was the residue of a steam-distillation process. Therefore, the approach used here is in line with the sustainable exploitation of native plants to obtain extracts rich in coumarins with cytotoxic potential against cancer cells.

1 July 2021 in Journal of CO2 Utilization
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ALAline Machado Lucas
Aline Machado Lucas
ABAmerícia F.M.L. Bento
Amerícia F.M.L. Bento
RVRubem Mário Figueiró Vargas
Rubem Mário Figueiró Vargas
TSThamiris Becker Scheffel
Thamiris Becker Scheffel
LRLiliana Rockenbach
Liliana Rockenbach
ECEduardo Cassel
Eduardo Cassel

20 October 2020 in Journal of Applied Toxicology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BCBruna Pasqualotto Costa
Bruna Pasqualotto Costa
MNMarcella Tornquist Nassr
Marcella Tornquist Nassr
FDFernando Mendonça Diz
Fernando Mendonça Diz
LCLeonardo Pfeiff Carlessi
Leonardo Pfeiff Carlessi
KAKrist Antunes
Krist Antunes
JOJarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
Fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate (F1,6BP), an intermediate of the glycolytic pathway, has been found to play a promising anticancer effect; nevertheless, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of F1,6BP in a human endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa). F1,6BP showed an antiproliferative and non‐cytotoxic effect on endometrial cancer cells. These effects are related to the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). These harmful stimuli trigger the upregulation of the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes (p53 and Bax), leading to the reduction of cell proliferation through inducing programmed cell death by apoptosis. Furthermore, F1,6BP‐treated cells had the formation of autophagosomes induced, as well as a decrease in their proliferative capacity after withdrawing the treatment. Our results demonstrate that F1,6BP acts as an anticancer agent through the generation of mitochondrial instability, loss of cell function, and p53‐dependent cell death. Thus, F1,6BP proves to be a potential molecule for use in the treatment against endometrial cancer.