An Overview of Vanadium and Cell Signaling in Potential Cancer Treatments
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments to Authors
Vanadium is becoming increasingly important in the field of health and this review gives a good overview of the use of this element as an anticancer agent and the signaling pathways it has been shown to influence.
1. Title: The review is focused on the antitumor activity of vanadium, but I consider that the title is ambiguous in this regard, because it is understood as the role of vanadium as a carcinogenic agent. I suggest refining the title, as well as adding the word "Review".
2. Introduction: The abbreviation "VO-flavonoids" is not described in the text.
3. Section 3: Cancer-related signalling [...]: At the end of each sub-section I suggest that you add a short general explanation of the implications that vanadium would have on each pathway, so that the reader understands specifically: what does it imply that vanadium affects that signalling pathway?
4. Sub-section 3.4. JAK-STAT the reference of Gonzalez-Villalba et al. should read Gonzalez-Villalva et al. as written in the references.
5. It is important that the authors write the "Conclusion" of the review.
6. Review the format of the references: references 8, 9, 10, 46 and 47 have only the authors' initials. Also, if the article is in an electronic journal, it is not necessary to put [internet] this format does not apply to this type of references. I suggest reviewing the style of the references.
Author Response
Comments to Authors
Vanadium is becoming increasingly important in the field of health and this review gives a good overview of the use of this element as an anticancer agent and the signaling pathways it has been shown to influence.
We specially thank to the reviewer 1 for the constructive comments.
Title: The review is focused on the antitumor activity of vanadium, but I consider that the title is ambiguous in this regard, because it is understood as the role of vanadium as a carcinogenic agent. I suggest refining the title, as well as adding the word "Review".
According to the reviewer´s comments we have been changed the title in the new version of the manuscript.
- Introduction: The abbreviation "VO-flavonoids" is not described in the text.
Done.
Section 3: Cancer-related signalling [...]: At the end of each sub-section I suggest that you add a short general explanation of the implications that vanadium would have on each pathway, so that the reader understands specifically: what does it imply that vanadium affects that signalling pathway?
According to the reviewer´s suggestion we have been added a short explanation about vanadium implication in each pathway.
Sub-section 3.4. JAK-STAT the reference of Gonzalez-Villalba et al. should read Gonzalez-Villalva et al. as written in the references.
Done.
It is important that the authors write the "Conclusion" of the review.
According to the reviewer´s comments we have been added a conclusion.
Review the format of the references: references 8, 9, 10, 46 and 47 have only the authors' initials. Also, if the article is in an electronic journal, it is not necessary to put [internet] this format does not apply to this type of references. I suggest reviewing the style of the references.
Done.
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors provide a brief overview of the potentiality of vanadium (vanadate and complex vanadium compounds) in the treatment of diverse forms of cancer. The article is of general interest, and I recommend publication, subject to a couple of clarifications (see comments below), and amendment of the English throughout.
Comments:
1) Abstract: Vanadium is not only present in plants and animals, but also in, e.g., algae and bacteria.
2) p. 2, about centre: The statement “related to phosphate reactions in studies performed in cell-free systems” lacks clarity.
3) p. 3, line 2: NaVO3 does not exist in aqueous media.
4) p. 3, 3rd paragraph: “The vanadium is …” should read “Vanadium compounds are …”?
5) p. 3, end of 3rd paragraph: The last sentence in this paragraph lacks clarity.
6) p. 4, about centre: “glucose consumption” connotes “glucose degradation”?
7) p. 6, CDDP ?
9) p. 7, about centre: The statement “vanadium-cliochinol has exhibited dual behaviour …” lacks clarity.
10) p. 8, line 6: The actually active agent at physiological conditions in H2VO4- (and not sodium metavanadate).
11) p. 8, section 4.2: What is “a pro-death role” supposed to connote?
12) p. 9: [VO (bpy)2 Cl] Cl is [VO(bpy)2Cl]Cl (bpy = bipyridyl)?
Author Response
The authors provide a brief overview of the potentiality of vanadium (vanadate and complex vanadium compounds) in the treatment of diverse forms of cancer. The article is of general interest, and I recommend publication, subject to a couple of clarifications (see comments below), and amendment of the English throughout.
We specially thank to the reviewer 2 for the constructive comments.
Comments:
1) Abstract: Vanadium is not only present in plants and animals, but also in, e.g., algae and bacteria.
According to the reviewer´s comments we have added this information in the abstract section in the new version of manuscript.
2) p. 2, about centre: The statement “related to phosphate reactions in studies performed in cell-free systems” lacks clarity.
According to the reviewer´s comments we have changed this phrase in the new version of manuscript.
3) p. 3, line 2: NaVO3 does not exist in aqueous media.
Done
4) p. 3, 3rd paragraph: “The vanadium is …” should read “Vanadium compounds are …”?
Done
5) p. 3, end of 3rd paragraph: The last sentence in this paragraph lacks clarity.
According to the reviewer´s comments we have changed this sentence in the new version of manuscript.
6) p. 4, about centre: “glucose consumption” connotes “glucose degradation”?
Done
7) p. 6, CDDP ?
CDDP= cisplatin.
Please, see the section 1 Introduction
9) p. 7, about centre: The statement “vanadium-cliochinol has exhibited dual behaviour …” lacks clarity.
According to the reviewer´s comments we have changed this sentence in the new version of manuscript.
10) p. 8, line 6: The actually active agent at physiological conditions in H2VO4- (and not sodium metavanadate).
Done.
11) p. 8, section 4.2: What is “a pro-death role” supposed to connote?
A pro-death role connotes that inducing and promotes cell death.
12) p. 9: [VO (bpy)2 Cl] Cl is [VO(bpy)2Cl]Cl (bpy = bipyridyl)?
Done
