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Shirima CA, Bleotu C, Spandidos DA, El-Naggar AK, Pircalabioru GG, Michalopoulos I. Epithelial‑derived head and neck squamous tumourigenesis (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 52:141. [PMID: 39219259 PMCID: PMC11358675 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), a heterogeneous group of cancers that arise from the mucosal epithelia cells in the head and neck areas, present great challenges in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis due to their complex aetiology and various clinical manifestations. Several factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, oncogenic genes, growth factors, Epstein‑Barr virus and human papillomavirus infections can contribute to HNSCC development. The unpredictable tumour microenvironment adds to the complexity of managing HNSCC. Despite significant advances in therapies, the prediction of outcome after treatment for patients with HNSCC remains poor, and the 5‑year overall survival rate is low due to late diagnosis. Early detection greatly increases the chances of successful treatment. The present review aimed to bring together the latest findings related to the molecular mechanisms of HNSCC carcinogenesis and progression. Comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, microbiome and proteomic analyses allow researchers to identify important biological markers such as genetic alterations, gene expression signatures and protein markers that drive HNSCC tumours. These biomarkers associated with the stages of initiation, progression and metastasis of cancer are useful in the management of patients with cancer in order to improve their life expectancy and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Adolfu Shirima
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Coralia Bleotu
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Department, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Adel K. El-Naggar
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | | | - Ioannis Michalopoulos
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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2
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Shayan N, Ghiyasimoghaddam N, Mirkatuli HA, Baghbani M, Ranjbarzadhagh Z, Mohtasham N. The biomarkers for maintenance Cancer stem cell features can be applicable in precision medicine of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF STOMATOLOGY, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY 2024; 125:101906. [PMID: 38688401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2024.101906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in tumor relapse, proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This narrative review aims to synthesize data from articles published between 2019 and 2023 on biomarkers for detecting CSCs in HNSCC and changes in molecular pathways, genetics, epigenetics, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CSCs relevant to precision medicine approaches in HNSCC management. The search encompassed 41 in vitro studies and 22 clinical studies. CSCs exhibit diverse molecular profiles and unique biomarker expression patterns, offering significant potential for HNSCC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, thereby enhancing patient survival. Their remarkable self-renewal ability and adaptability are closely linked to tumorigenicity development and maintenance. Assessing biomarkers before and after therapy can aid in identifying various cell types associated with cancer progression and relapse. Screening for CSCs, senescent tumor cells, and cells correlated with the senescence process post-treatment has proven highly beneficial. However, the clinical application of precision medicine in HNSCC management is hindered by the lack of specific and definitive CSC biomarkers. Furthermore, our limited understanding of CSC plasticity, governed by genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic alterations during tumorigenesis, as well as the bidirectional interaction of CSCs with the tumor microenvironment, underscores the need for further research. Well-designed studies involving large patient cohorts are, therefore, essential to establish a standardized protocol and address these unresolved queries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navidreza Shayan
- Department of Medical Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Negin Ghiyasimoghaddam
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Bohlool Hospital, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | | | | | - Zahra Ranjbarzadhagh
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nooshin Mohtasham
- Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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3
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Tang B, Guo M, Zhai Y, Zhang K, Ni K, Zhang Y, Huang L. Human esophageal cancer stem-like cells escape the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells via down-regulation of ULBP-1. J Transl Med 2024; 22:737. [PMID: 39103915 PMCID: PMC11301968 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) play an important role in initiation and progression of aggressive cancers, including esophageal cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells are key effector lymphocytes of innate immunity that directly attack a wide variety of cancer cells. NK cell-based therapy may provide a new treatment option for targeting CSCs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sensitivity of human esophageal CSCs to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS CSCs were enriched from human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via sphere formation culture. Human NK cells were selectively expanded from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. qRT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA assays were performed to examine RNA expression and protein levels, respectively. CFSE-labeled target cells were co-cultured with human activated NK cells to detect the cytotoxicity of NK cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS We observed that esophageal CSCs were more resistant to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity compared with adherent counterparts. Consistently, esophageal CSCs showed down-regulated expression of ULBP-1, a ligand for NK cells stimulatory receptor NKG2D. Knockdown of ULBP-1 resulted in significant inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity against esophageal CSCs, whereas ULBP-1 overexpression led to the opposite effect. Finally, the pro-differentiation agent all-trans retinoic acid was found to enhance the sensitivity of esophageal CSCs to NK cell cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that esophageal CSCs are more resistant to NK cells through down-regulation of ULBP-1 and provides a promising approach to promote the activity of NK cells targeting esophageal CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Tang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengxing Guo
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yujia Zhai
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kaiyuan Ni
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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4
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Ma J, Liu M, Chen Z, Liu S, Yang H, Duan M. NANOG regulate the JAK/STAT3 pathway to promote trophoblast cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) through protein interaction with CDK1. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13863. [PMID: 38796740 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a common pregnancy disease. NANOG and Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) are essential for regulating the function of cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the mechanism of action in HDP is yet unclear. METHOD The microarray dataset GSE6573 was downloaded from the GEO database. Emt-related gene set was downloaded from Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition gene database 2.0 were screened differentially expressed genes by bioinformatics analysis. Pathway Commons and Scansite 4.0 databases were used to predict the interaction between proteins. Placental tissue samples were collected from HDP patients and patients with uneventful pregnancies. RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of NANOG, CDK1, MMP-2, MMP-9, EMT markers and the JAK/STAT3 pathway proteins. Transfection NANOG overexpression/knockdown, and CDK1 knockdown into the human chorionic trophoblast cells (HTR-8/Svneo). CCK-8, Transwell and Wound-healing assay were used to evaluate cell proliferation, invasion and migration. CO-IP and GST pull-down assays were used to confirm the protein interaction. RESULTS A total obtained seven EMT-related differentially expressed genes, wherein NANOG, NODAL and LIN28A had protein interaction. In the HDP patients' tissue found that NANOG and CDK1 had lower expression. NANOG overexpression promoted HTR-8/Svneo proliferation, migration and EMT, while NANOG knockdown had the opposite effect. Further a protein interaction between STAT3 and CDK1 with NANOG. NANOG overexpression downregulated the JAK/STAT3 pathway to promote HTR-8/Svneo proliferation, migration and EMT, which was reversed by CDK1 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS NANOG downregulated the JAK/STAT3 pathway to promote trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and EMT through protein interaction with CDK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ma
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Mingchang Liu
- Yunnan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shiyang Liu
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Mengjia Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Arnold L, Yap M, Jackson L, Barry M, Ly T, Morrison A, Gomez JP, Washburn MP, Standing D, Yellapu NK, Li L, Umar S, Anant S, Thomas SM. DCLK1-Mediated Regulation of Invadopodia Dynamics and Matrix Metalloproteinase Trafficking Drives Invasive Progression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.06.588339. [PMID: 38645056 PMCID: PMC11030349 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.06.588339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major health concern due to its high mortality from poor treatment responses and locoregional tumor invasion into life sustaining structures in the head and neck. A deeper comprehension of HNSCC invasion mechanisms holds the potential to inform targeted therapies that may enhance patient survival. We previously reported that doublecortin like kinase 1 (DCLK1) regulates invasion of HNSCC cells. Here, we tested the hypothesis that DCLK1 regulates proteins within invadopodia to facilitate HNSCC invasion. Invadopodia are specialized subcellular protrusions secreting matrix metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through a comprehensive proteome analysis comparing DCLK1 control and shDCLK1 conditions, our findings reveal that DCLK1 plays a pivotal role in regulating proteins that orchestrate cytoskeletal and ECM remodeling, contributing to cell invasion. Further, we demonstrate in TCGA datasets that DCLK1 levels correlate with increasing histological grade and lymph node metastasis. We identified higher expression of DCLK1 in the leading edge of HNSCC tissue. Knockdown of DCLK1 in HNSCC reduced the number of invadopodia, cell adhesion and colony formation. Using super resolution microscopy, we demonstrate localization of DCLK1 in invadopodia and colocalization with mature invadopodia markers TKS4, TKS5, cortactin and MT1-MMP. We carried out phosphoproteomics and validated using immunofluorescence and proximity ligation assays, the interaction between DCLK1 and motor protein KIF16B. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of DCLK1 reduced interaction with KIF16B, secretion of MMPs, and cell invasion. This research unveils a novel function of DCLK1 within invadopodia to regulate the trafficking of matrix degrading cargo. The work highlights the impact of targeting DCLK1 to inhibit locoregional invasion, a life-threatening attribute of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi Arnold
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Marion Yap
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Laura Jackson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Michael Barry
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Thuc Ly
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Austin Morrison
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Juan P. Gomez
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Michael P. Washburn
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - David Standing
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Nanda Kumar Yellapu
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Linheng Li
- Stowers Institute, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Shahid Umar
- Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Shrikant Anant
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Sufi Mary Thomas
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
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Adine C, Fernando K, Ho NCW, Quah HS, Ho SSW, Wu KZ, Teng KWW, Arcinas C, Li L, Ha K, Chew JWL, Wang C, Too NSH, Yeong JPS, Tan DSW, Tan IBH, Nagadia R, Chia CS, Macalinao D, Bhuvaneswari H, Iyer NG, Fong ELS. Bioengineered hydrogels enhance ex vivo preservation of patient-derived tumor explants for drug evaluation. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122460. [PMID: 38246018 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ex vivo patient-derived tumor slices (PDTS) are currently limited by short-term viability in culture. Here, we show how bioengineered hydrogels enable the identification of key matrix parameters that significantly enhance PDTS viability compared to conventional culture systems. As demonstrated using single-cell RNA sequencing and high-dimensional flow cytometry, hydrogel-embedded PDTS tightly preserved cancer, cancer-associated fibroblast, and various immune cell populations and subpopulations in the corresponding original tumor. Cell-cell communication networks within the tumor microenvironment, including immune checkpoint ligand-receptor interactions, were also maintained. Remarkably, our results from a co-clinical trial suggest hydrogel-embedded PDTS may predict sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in head and neck cancer patients. Further, we show how these longer term-cultured tumor explants uniquely enable the sampling and detection of temporal evolution in molecular readouts when treated with ICIs. By preserving the compositional heterogeneity and complexity of patient tumors, hydrogel-embedded PDTS provide a valuable tool to facilitate experiments targeting the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christabella Adine
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kanishka Fernando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Hong Sheng Quah
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Kenny Zhuoran Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Camille Arcinas
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ling Li
- Translational Medicine Research Centre, MSD, Singapore
| | - Kelly Ha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joey Wei Ling Chew
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chenhui Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | | | | | - Rahul Nagadia
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore; Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - N Gopalakrishna Iyer
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Eliza Li Shan Fong
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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7
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Jayawickrama SM, Ranaweera PM, Pradeep RGGR, Jayasinghe YA, Senevirathna K, Hilmi AJ, Rajapakse RMG, Kanmodi KK, Jayasinghe RD. Developments and future prospects of personalized medicine in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma diagnoses and treatments. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e2045. [PMID: 38522008 PMCID: PMC10961052 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Precision healthcare has entered a new era because of the developments in personalized medicine, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This paper explores the dynamic landscape of personalized medicine as applied to HNSCC, encompassing both current developments and future prospects. RECENT FINDINGS The integration of personalized medicine strategies into HNSCC diagnosis is driven by the utilization of genetic data and biomarkers. Epigenetic biomarkers, which reflect modifications to DNA that can influence gene expression, have emerged as valuable indicators for early detection and risk assessment. Treatment approaches within the personalized medicine framework are equally promising. Immunotherapy, gene silencing, and editing techniques, including RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9, offer innovative means to modulate gene expression and correct genetic aberrations driving HNSCC. The integration of stem cell research with personalized medicine presents opportunities for tailored regenerative approaches. The synergy between personalized medicine and technological advancements is exemplified by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. These tools empower clinicians to analyze vast datasets, predict patient responses, and optimize treatment strategies with unprecedented accuracy. CONCLUSION The developments and prospects of personalized medicine in HNSCC diagnosis and treatment offer a transformative approach to managing this complex malignancy. By harnessing genetic insights, biomarkers, immunotherapy, gene editing, stem cell therapies, and advanced technologies like AI and ML, personalized medicine holds the key to enhancing patient outcomes and ushering in a new era of precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kalpani Senevirathna
- Centre for Research in Oral Cancer, Faculty of Dental SciencesUniversity of PeradeniyaKandySri Lanka
| | | | | | - Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi
- School of DentistryUniversity of RwandaKigaliRwanda
- Faculty of DentistryUniversity of PuthisastraPhnom PenhCambodia
- Cephas Health Research Initiative IncIbadanNigeria
- School of Health and Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
| | - Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe
- Centre for Research in Oral Cancer, Faculty of Dental SciencesUniversity of PeradeniyaKandySri Lanka
- Faculty of DentistryUniversity of PuthisastraPhnom PenhCambodia
- School of Health and Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental SciencesUniversity of PeradeniyaKandySri Lanka
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8
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Zhu Y, Xia T, Chen DQ, Xiong X, Shi L, Zuo Y, Xiao H, Liu L. Promising role of protein arginine methyltransferases in overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101016. [PMID: 37980859 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment, necessitating the development of novel strategies to overcome it. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are enzymes responsible for epigenetic arginine methylation, which regulates various biological and pathological processes, as a result, they are attractive therapeutic targets for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. The ongoing development of small molecules targeting PRMTs has resulted in the generation of chemical probes for modulating most PRMTs and facilitated clinical treatment for the most advanced oncology targets, including PRMT1 and PRMT5. In this review, we summarize various mechanisms underlying protein arginine methylation and the roles of specific PRMTs in driving cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, we highlight the potential clinical implications of PRMT inhibitors in decreasing cancer drug resistance. PRMTs promote the formation and maintenance of drug-tolerant cells via several mechanisms, including altered drug efflux transporters, autophagy, DNA damage repair, cancer stem cell-related function, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and disordered tumor microenvironment. Multiple preclinical and ongoing clinical trials have demonstrated that PRMT inhibitors, particularly PRMT5 inhibitors, can sensitize cancer cells to various anti-cancer drugs, including chemotherapeutic, targeted therapeutic, and immunotherapeutic agents. Combining PRMT inhibitors with existing anti-cancer strategies will be a promising approach for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, enhanced knowledge of the complex functions of arginine methylation and PRMTs in drug resistance will guide the future development of PRMT inhibitors and may help identify new clinical indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tong Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Da-Qian Chen
- Department of Medicine Oncology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518110, China
| | - Xia Xiong
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yueqi Zuo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Institute of Basic Translational Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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9
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Fugio LB, Silva G, Ferraz CL, Trevisan GL, Coeli-Lacchini FB, Garcia CB, Sousa LO, Malta TM, Gil CD, Leopoldino AM. Accumulation of sphingosine kinase 2 protein induces malignant transformation in oral keratinocytes associated with stemness, autophagy, senescence, and proliferation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119616. [PMID: 37898377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling has been widely explored as a therapeutic target in cancer. Sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2), one of the kinases that phosphorylate sphingosine, has a cell type and cell location-dependent mechanism of action, so the ability of SK2 to induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, proliferation, and survival is strongly influenced by the cell-context. In contrast to SK1, which is widely studied in different types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, the role of SK2 in the development and progression of oral cancer is still poorly understood. In order to elucidate SK2 role in oral cancer, we performed the overexpression of SK2 in non-tumor oral keratinocyte cell (NOK SK2) and in oral squamous cell carcinoma (HN12 SK2), and RNA interference for SK2 in another oral squamous cell carcinoma (HN13 shSK2). In our study we demonstrate for the first time that accumulation of SK2 can be a starting point for oncogenesis and transforms a non-tumor oral keratinocyte (NOK-SI) into highly aggressive tumor cells, even acting on cell plasticity. Furthermore, in oral metastatic cell line (HN12), SK2 contributed even more to the tumorigenesis, inducing proliferation and tumor growth. Our work reveals the intriguing role of SK2 as an oral tumor promoter and regulator of different pathways and cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Brigliadori Fugio
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Silva
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Lopes Ferraz
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Glauce Lunardelli Trevisan
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Borchers Coeli-Lacchini
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Bernadelli Garcia
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Oliveira Sousa
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tathiane Maistro Malta
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Damas Gil
- Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of the State of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréia Machado Leopoldino
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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10
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Dorna D, Paluszczak J. Targeting cancer stem cells as a strategy for reducing chemotherapy resistance in head and neck cancers. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:13417-13435. [PMID: 37453969 PMCID: PMC10587253 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the primary cause of a poor prognosis in oncological patients. Researchers identified many possible mechanisms involved in gaining a therapy-resistant phenotype by cancer cells, including alterations in intracellular drug accumulation, detoxification, and enhanced DNA damage repair. All these features are characteristic of stem cells, making them the major culprit of chemoresistance. This paper reviews the most recent evidence regarding the association between the stemness phenotype and chemoresistance in head and neck cancers. It also investigates the impact of pharmacologically targeting cancer stem cell populations in this subset of malignancies. METHODS This narrative review was prepared based on the search of the PubMed database for relevant papers. RESULTS Head and neck cancer cells belonging to the stem cell population are distinguished by the high expression of certain surface proteins (e.g., CD10, CD44, CD133), pluripotency-related transcription factors (SOX2, OCT4, NANOG), and increased activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Chemotherapy itself increases the percentage of stem-like cells. Importantly, the intratumor heterogeneity of stem cell subpopulations reflects cell plasticity which has great importance for chemoresistance induction. CONCLUSIONS Evidence points to the advantage of combining classical chemotherapeutics with stemness modulators thanks to the joint targeting of the bulk of proliferating tumor cells and chemoresistant cancer stem cells, which could cause recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Dorna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Ul. Święcickiego 4, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jarosław Paluszczak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Ul. Święcickiego 4, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
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11
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Cirillo N. The Hyaluronan/CD44 Axis: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15812. [PMID: 37958796 PMCID: PMC10649834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor CD44 is widely used for identifying cancer stem cells and its activation promotes stemness. Recent evidence shows that overexpression of CD44 is associated with poor prognosis in most human cancers and mediates therapy resistance. For these reasons, in recent years, CD44 has become a treatment target in precision oncology, often via HA-conjugated antineoplastic drugs. Importantly, HA molecules of different sizes have a dual effect and, therefore, may enhance or attenuate the CD44-mediated signaling pathways, as they compete with endogenous HA for binding to the receptors. The magnitude of these effects could be crucial for cancer progression, as well as for driving the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment. The increasingly common use of HA-conjugated drugs in oncology, as well as HA-based compounds as adjuvants in cancer treatment, adds further complexity to the understanding of the net effect of hyaluronan-CD44 activation in cancers. In this review, I focus on the significance of CD44 in malignancy and discuss the dichotomous function of the hyaluronan/CD44 axis in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cirillo
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
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12
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Kummer S, Klang A, Strohmayer C, Walter I, Jindra C, Kneissl S, Brandt S. Feline SCCs of the Head and Neck Display Partial Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Harbor Stem Cell-like Cancer Cells. Pathogens 2023; 12:1288. [PMID: 38003753 PMCID: PMC10674711 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is a malignant cancer disease in humans and animals. There is ample evidence that the high plasticity of cancer cells, i.e., their ability to switch from an epithelial to a mesenchymal, endothelial, and stem cell-like phenotype, chiefly contributes to progression, metastasis, and multidrug resistance of human HNSCCs. In feline HNSCC, the field of cancer cell plasticity is still unexplored. In this study, fourteen feline HNSCCs with a known feline papillomavirus (FPV) infection status were subjected to histopathological grading and subsequent screening for expression of epithelial, mesenchymal, and stem cell markers by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence staining (IF). Irrespective of the FPV infection status, all tumors except one corresponded to high-grade, invasive lesions and concurrently expressed epithelial (keratins, E-cadherin, β-catenin) and mesenchymal (vimentin, N-cadherin, CD146) proteins. This finding is indicative for partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) events in the lesions, as similarly described for human HNSCCs. IF double staining revealed the presence of CD44/CD271 double-positive cells notably within the tumors' invasive fronts that likely correspond to cancer stem cells. Taken together, the obtained findings suggest that feline HNSCCs closely resemble their human counterparts with respect to tumor cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kummer
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.K.); (I.W.)
| | - Andrea Klang
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Carina Strohmayer
- Clinical Unit of Diagnostic Imaging, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Ingrid Walter
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.K.); (I.W.)
- Institute of Morphology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Jindra
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Sibylle Kneissl
- Clinical Unit of Diagnostic Imaging, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (C.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Sabine Brandt
- Research Group Oncology (RGO), Clinical Unit of Equine Surgery, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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13
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Bekas N, Samiotaki M, Papathanasiou M, Mokos P, Pseftogas A, Xanthopoulos K, Thanos D, Mosialos G, Dafou D. Inactivation of Tumor Suppressor CYLD Inhibits Fibroblast Reprogramming to Pluripotency. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4997. [PMID: 37894364 PMCID: PMC10605754 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CYLD is a tumor suppressor gene coding for a deubiquitinating enzyme that has a critical regulatory function in a variety of signaling pathways and biological processes involved in cancer development and progression, many of which are also key modulators of somatic cell reprogramming. Nevertheless, the potential role of CYLD in this process has not been studied. With the dual aim of investigating the involvement of CYLD in reprogramming and developing a better understanding of the intricate regulatory system governing this process, we reprogrammed control (CYLDWT/WT) and CYLD DUB-deficient (CYLDΔ9/Δ9) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through ectopic overexpression of the Yamanaka factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-myc). CYLD DUB deficiency led to significantly reduced reprogramming efficiency and slower early reprogramming kinetics. The introduction of WT CYLD to CYLDΔ9/Δ9 MEFs rescued the phenotype. Nevertheless, CYLD DUB-deficient cells were capable of establishing induced pluripotent colonies with full spontaneous differentiation potential of the three germ layers. Whole proteome analysis (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD044220) revealed that the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) during the early reprogramming stages was disrupted in CYLDΔ9/Δ9 MEFs. Interestingly, differentially enriched pathways revealed that the primary processes affected by CYLD DUB deficiency were associated with the organization of the extracellular matrix and several metabolic pathways. Our findings not only establish for the first time CYLD's significance as a regulatory component of early reprogramming but also highlight its role as an extracellular matrix regulator, which has profound implications in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Bekas
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece;
| | - Maria Papathanasiou
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.T.)
| | - Panagiotis Mokos
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Athanasios Pseftogas
- Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitris Thanos
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.T.)
| | - George Mosialos
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (N.B.); (P.M.); (G.M.)
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14
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Shieh JM, Chang TW, Wang JH, Liang SP, Kao PL, Chen LY, Yen CJ, Chen YJ, Chang WC, Chen BK. RNA-binding protein-regulated fibronectin is essential for EGFR-activated metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23206. [PMID: 37718485 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300527r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
There is a higher expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in up to 90% of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissue than in normal surrounding tissues. However, the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in EGFR-associated metastasis of HNSCC remains unclear. In this study, we reveal that RBPs, specifically nucleolin (NCL) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1), correlated with the mesenchymal phenotype of HNSCC. The depletion of RBPs significantly attenuated EGF-induced HNSCC metastasis. Intriguingly, the EGF-induced EMT markers, such as fibronectin, were regulated by RBPs through the ERK and NF-κB pathway, followed by the enhancement of mRNA stability of fibronectin through the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the gene. The upregulation of fibronectin triggered the integrin signaling activation to enhance tumor cells' attachment to endothelial cells and increase endothelial permeability. In addition, the concurrence of EGFR and RBPs or EGFR and fibronectin was associated with overall survival and disease-free survival of HNSCC. The in vivo study showed that depletion of NCL, hnRNPA2B1, and fibronectin significantly inhibited EGF-promoted extravasation of tumor cells into lung tissues. The depletion of fibronectin or treatment with integrin inhibitors dramatically attenuated EGF-induced HNSCC metastatic nodules in the lung. Our data suggest that the RBPs/fibronectin axis is essential for EGF-induced tumor-endothelial cell interactions to enhance HNSCC cell metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiunn-Min Shieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ting-Wei Chang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jing-He Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Song-Ping Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Lu Kao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Liang-Yi Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chang Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ben-Kuen Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
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15
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Zhang MJ, Liu J, Wan SC, Li JX, Wang S, Fidele NB, Huang CF, Sun ZJ. CSRP2 promotes cell stemness in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck 2023; 45:2161-2172. [PMID: 37466293 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cysteine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2) is discovered as oncogene. The study aims to investigate the clinical significance and potential mechanism of CSRP2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS CSRP2 expression was explored by immunohistochemistry tissue microarrays and Western blotting in HNSCC. The effect of CSRP2 on the cancer stemness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HNSCC cells was investigated by sphere formation, wound healing, and transwell assays. The vitro and vivo experiments revealed that CSRP2 modulated cancer stemness and EMT phenotypes in HNSCC. RESULTS CSRP2 was overexpressed in HNSCC patients and presented poor prognosis. CSRP2 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion ability of the HNSCC cells. And CSRP2 expression was closely associated with CSCs markers, EMT-transcription factor, new oncoprotein, and immune checkpoint. CONCLUSION The overexpression of CSRP2 indicates poor prognosis and plays a key role in maintaining the cancer cell stemness and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Cheng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia-Xing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nyimi Bushabu Fidele
- The National keys laboratory of Basic Sciences of Stomatology of Kinshasa University, School of Medical University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Cong-Fa Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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16
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Leichtle F, Betzler AC, Eizenberger C, Lesakova K, Ezić J, Drees R, Greve J, Schuler PJ, Laban S, Hoffmann TK, Cordes N, Lavitrano M, Grassilli E, Brunner C. Influence of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Processes and Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) Enrichment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13133. [PMID: 37685940 PMCID: PMC10487612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Constitutively active kinases play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, and their inhibition is a common target for molecular tumor therapy. We recently discovered the expression of two oncogenic isoforms of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), Btk-p80 and BTK-p65. However, the precise role of BTK in HNSCC remains unclear. Analyses of a tissue microarray containing benign and malignant as well as inflammatory tissue samples of the head and neck region revealed the preferential expression of BTK-p80 in malignant tissue, whereas BTK-p65 expression was confirmed in over 80% of analyzed metastatic head and neck tumor cases. Therefore, processes associated with metastasis, like cancer stem cell (CSC) enrichment and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which in turn depend on an appropriate cytokine milieu, were analyzed. Treatment of HNSCC-derived cell lines cultured under 3D conditions with the BTK inhibitor AVL-292 caused reduced sphere formation, which was accompanied by reduced numbers of ALDH1A1+ CSCs as well as biological changes associated with the EMT. Moreover, we observed reduced NF-κB expression as well as altered NF-κB dependent pro-tumorigenic and EMT-associated cytokine release of IL-6, IFNγ, and TNFα when BTK activity was dampened. Therefore, an autocrine regulation of the oncogenic BTK-dependent process in HNSCC can be suggested, with BTK inhibition expected to be an effective treatment option for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Leichtle
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Annika C. Betzler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
- Core Facility Immune Monitoring, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Carlotta Eizenberger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Kristina Lesakova
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Robert Drees
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Jens Greve
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Patrick J. Schuler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Thomas K. Hoffmann
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Nils Cordes
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Emanuela Grassilli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany (J.E.); (P.J.S.)
- Core Facility Immune Monitoring, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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17
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Cierpikowski P, Leszczyszyn A, Bar J. The Role of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:2083. [PMID: 37626893 PMCID: PMC10453169 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading malignancy worldwide, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Molecularly targeted therapies for HNSCC are still lacking. However, recent reports provide novel insights about many molecular alterations in HNSCC that may be useful in future therapies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new biomarkers that may provide a better prediction of the disease and promising targets for personalized therapy. The poor response of HNSCC to therapy is attributed to a small population of tumor cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Growing evidence indicates that the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of head and neck tissues. The HH pathway is normally involved in embryogenesis, stem cell renewal, and tissue regeneration. However, abnormal activation of the HH pathway is also associated with carcinogenesis and CSC regulation. Overactivation of the HH pathway was observed in several tumors, including basal cell carcinoma, that are successfully treated with HH inhibitors. However, clinical studies about HH pathways in HNSCC are still rare. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and recent advances regarding the HH pathway in HNSCC and discuss its possible implications for prognosis and future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Cierpikowski
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, The Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital, Osiedle Zlotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Leszczyszyn
- Dental Surgery Outpatient Clinic, 4th Military Clinical Hospital, Weigla 5, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julia Bar
- Department of Immunopathology and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
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18
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Suzuki H, Kitamura K, Goto N, Ishikawa K, Ouchida T, Tanaka T, Kaneko MK, Kato Y. A Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 3 Monoclonal Antibody C 44Mab-6 Was Established for Multiple Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098411. [PMID: 37176118 PMCID: PMC10179237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) promotes tumor progression through the recruitment of growth factors and the acquisition of stemness, invasiveness, and drug resistance. CD44 has multiple isoforms including CD44 standard (CD44s) and CD44 variants (CD44v), which have common and unique functions in tumor development. Therefore, elucidating the function of each CD44 isoform in a tumor is essential for the establishment of CD44-targeting tumor therapy. We have established various anti-CD44s and anti-CD44v monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through the immunization of CD44v3-10-overexpressed cells. In this study, we established C44Mab-6 (IgG1, kappa), which recognized the CD44 variant 3-encoded region (CD44v3), as determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C44Mab-6 reacted with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells (CHO/CD44v3-10) or some cancer cell lines (COLO205 and HSC-3) via flow cytometry. The apparent KD of C44Mab-6 for CHO/CD44v3-10, COLO205, and HSC-3 was 1.5 × 10-9 M, 6.3 × 10-9 M, and 1.9 × 10-9 M, respectively. C44Mab-6 could detect the CD44v3-10 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor sections in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C44Mab-6 is useful for detecting CD44v3 in various experiments and is expected for the application of tumor diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kaishi Kitamura
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Nohara Goto
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Tsunenori Ouchida
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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Nairuz T, Mahmud Z, Manik RK, Kabir Y. Cancer stem cells: an insight into the development of metastatic tumors and therapy resistance. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10529-x. [PMID: 37129728 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The term "cancer stem cells" (CSCs) refers to cancer cells that exhibit traits parallel to normal stem cells, namely the potential to give rise to every type of cell identified in a tumor microenvironment. It has been found that CSCs usually develops from other neoplastic cells or non-cancerous somatic cells by acquiring stemness and malignant characteristics through particular genetic modifications. A trivial number of CSCs, identified in solid and liquid cancer, can give rise to an entire tumor population with aggressive anticancer drug resistance, metastasis, and invasiveness. Besides, cancer stem cells manipulate their intrinsic and extrinsic features, regulate the metabolic pattern of the cell, adjust efflux-influx efficiency, modulate different signaling pathways, block apoptotic signals, and cause genetic and epigenetic alterations to retain their pluripotency and ability of self-renewal. Notably, to keep the cancer stem cells' ability to become malignant cells, mesenchymal stem cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, etc., interact with one another. Furthermore, CSCs are characterized by the expression of particular molecular markers that carry significant diagnostic and prognostic significance. Because of this, scientific research on CSCs is becoming increasingly imperative, intending to understand the traits and behavior of cancer stem cells and create more potent anticancer therapeutics to fight cancer at the CSC level. In this review, we aimed to elucidate the critical role of CSCs in the onset and spread of cancer and the characteristics of CSCs that promote severe resistance to targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahsin Nairuz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Zimam Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Rasel Khan Manik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Yearul Kabir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
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20
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Dżaman K, Czerwaty K. Extracellular Vesicle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051327. [PMID: 37242569 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that there are over 890,000 new cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) worldwide each year, accounting for approximately 5% of all cancer cases. Current treatment options for HNSCC often cause significant side effects and functional impairments, thus there is a challenge to discover more acceptable treatment technologies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be utilized for HNSCC treatment in several ways, for example, for drug delivery, immune modulation, as biomarkers for diagnostics, gene therapy, or tumor microenvironment modulation. This systematic review summarizes new knowledge regarding these options. Articles published up to 11 December 2022, were identified by searching the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Only full-text original research papers written in English were considered eligible for analysis. The quality of studies was assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies, modified for the needs of this review. Of 436 identified records, 18 were eligible and included. It is important to note that the use of EVs as a treatment for HNSCC is still in the early stages of research, so we summarized information on challenges such as EV isolation, purification, and standardization of EV-based therapies in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Dżaman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Czerwaty
- Department of Otolaryngology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Suzuki H, Ozawa K, Tanaka T, Kaneko MK, Kato Y. Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 7/8 Monoclonal Antibody, C44Mab-34, for Multiple Applications against Oral Carcinomas. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041099. [PMID: 37189717 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) has been investigated as a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker as it plays critical roles in tumor malignant progression. The splicing variants are overexpressed in many carcinomas, especially squamous cell carcinomas, and play critical roles in the promotion of tumor metastasis, the acquisition of CSC properties, and resistance to treatments. Therefore, each CD44 variant (CD44v) function and distribution in carcinomas should be clarified for the establishment of novel tumor diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we immunized mouse with a CD44 variant (CD44v3–10) ectodomain and established various anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). One of the established clones (C44Mab-34; IgG1, kappa) recognized a peptide that covers both variant 7- and variant 8-encoded regions, indicating that C44Mab-34 is a specific mAb for CD44v7/8. Moreover, C44Mab-34 reacted with CD44v3–10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO) cells or the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line (HSC-3) by flow cytometry. The apparent KD of C44Mab-34 for CHO/CD44v3–10 and HSC-3 was 1.4 × 10−9 and 3.2 × 10−9 M, respectively. C44Mab-34 could detect CD44v3–10 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded OSCC in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C44Mab-34 is useful for detecting CD44v7/8 in various applications and is expected to be useful in the application of OSCC diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ozawa
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mika K. Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
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22
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Ferreira LAM, Bezerra MADS, Kawasaki-Oyama RS, Fernandes GMDM, Castanhole-Nunes MMU, Serafim Junior V, Castilho RM, Pavarino ÉC, Maniglia JV, Goloni-Bertollo EM. Effect of ZEB1 Associated with microRNAs on Tumor Stem Cells in Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065916. [PMID: 36982993 PMCID: PMC10052136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer biologists have focused on studying cancer stem cells (CSCs) because of their ability to self-renew and recapitulate tumor heterogeneity, which increases their resistance to chemotherapy and is associated with cancer relapse. Here, we used two approaches to isolate CSCs: the first involved the metabolic enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH, and the second involved the three cell surface markers CD44, CD117, and CD133. ALDH cells showed a higher zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) microRNA (miRNA) expression than CD44/CD117/133 triple-positive cells, which overexpressed miRNA 200c-3p: a well-known microRNA ZEB1 inhibitor. We found that ZEB1 inhibition was driven by miR-101-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-144-3p, miR-199b-5p, and miR-200c-3p and that the FaDu Cell Line inhibition occurred at the mRNA level, whereas HN13 did not affect mRNA expression but decreased protein levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability of the ZEB1 inhibitor miRNAs to modulate CSC-related genes, such as TrkB, ALDH, NANOG, and HIF1A, using transfection technology. We showed that ALDH was upregulated upon ZEB1-suppressed miRNA transfection (Mann-Whitney ** p101 = 0.009, t-test ** p139 = 0.009, t-test ** p144 = 0.002, and t-test *** p199 = 0.0006). Overall, our study enabled an improved understanding of the role of ZEB1-suppressed miRNAs in CSC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Antunes Muniz Ferreira
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Antonia Dos Santos Bezerra
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Sayoko Kawasaki-Oyama
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Maria de Mendonça Fernandes
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcia Maria Urbanin Castanhole-Nunes
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vilson Serafim Junior
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogério Moraes Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Érika Cristina Pavarino
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Victor Maniglia
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eny Maria Goloni-Bertollo
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (UPGEM), Medical School of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
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23
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Desai N, Hasan U, K J, Mani R, Chauhan M, Basu SM, Giri J. Biomaterial-based platforms for modulating immune components against cancer and cancer stem cells. Acta Biomater 2023; 161:1-36. [PMID: 36907233 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy involves the therapeutic alteration of the patient's immune system to identify, target, and eliminate cancer cells. Dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells make up the tumor microenvironment. In cancer, these immune components (in association with some non-immune cell populations like cancer-associated fibroblasts) are directly altered at a cellular level. By dominating immune cells with molecular cross-talk, cancer cells can proliferate unchecked. Current clinical immunotherapy strategies are limited to conventional adoptive cell therapy or immune checkpoint blockade. Targeting and modulating key immune components presents an effective opportunity. Immunostimulatory drugs are a research hotspot, but their poor pharmacokinetics, low tumor accumulation, and non-specific systemic toxicity limit their use. This review describes the cutting-edge research undertaken in the field of nanotechnology and material science to develop biomaterials-based platforms as effective immunotherapeutics. Various biomaterial types (polymer-based, lipid-based, carbon-based, cell-derived, etc.) and functionalization methodologies for modulating tumor-associated immune/non-immune cells are explored. Additionally, emphasis has been laid on discussing how these platforms can be used against cancer stem cells, a fundamental contributor to chemoresistance, tumor relapse/metastasis, and failure of immunotherapy. Overall, this comprehensive review strives to provide up-to-date information to an audience working at the juncture of biomaterials and cancer immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer immunotherapy possesses incredible potential and has successfully transitioned into a clinically lucrative alternative to conventional anti-cancer therapies. With new immunotherapeutics getting rapid clinical approval, fundamental problems associated with the dynamic nature of the immune system (like limited clinical response rates and autoimmunity-related adverse effects) have remained unanswered. In this context, treatment approaches that focus on modulating the compromised immune components within the tumor microenvironment have garnered significant attention amongst the scientific community. This review aims to provide a critical discussion on how various biomaterials (polymer-based, lipid-based, carbon-based, cell-derived, etc.) can be employed along with immunostimulatory agents to design innovative platforms for selective immunotherapy directed against cancer and cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimeet Desai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Uzma Hasan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India; Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Jeyashree K
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Rajesh Mani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Meenakshi Chauhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Suparna Mercy Basu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Jyotsnendu Giri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India.
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24
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An integrative analysis of enhancer of yellow 2 homolog (ENY2) as a molecular biomarker in pan-cancer. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:72. [PMID: 36862319 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01000-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
ENY2 (Enhancer of yellow 2 transcription factor) is a transcription nuclear protein and primarily participates in the course of mRNA export and histone deubiquitination to influence gene expression. Current studies have shown that the expression of ENY2 is significantly upregulated in multiple cancers. However, the exact association between ENY2 and pan-cancers has not been fully established. Here, we comprehensively analyzed ENY2 from the online public database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, including gene expression level in pan-cancer, comparison of ENY2 expression in different molecular and immune subtypes of pan-cancer, targeted protein, biological functions, molecular signatures, diagnostic and prognostic value in pan-cancer. Moreover, we focused on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) and explored ENY2 from the perspective of the correlations with clinical characteristics, prognosis, co-expression genes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune Infiltration. Our findings showed that the expression of ENY2 differed enormously not only in most cancer types but also in different molecular and immune subtypes of cancers. High accuracy in predicting cancers and notable correlations with prognosis of certain cancers suggested that ENY2 might be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of cancers. In addition, ENY2 was identified to be significantly correlated with clinical stage, gender, histologic grade and lymphovascular invasion in HNSC. Overexpression of ENY2 could lead to a worse overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) in HNSC, especially in different clinical subgroups of HNSC. Taken together, ENY2 showed strong correlation with the diagnosis and prognosis of pan-cancer, and was an independent prognostic risk factor of HNSC, which may serve as a potential target for cancer management.
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25
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Santos AAD, Mafra RP, da Silva LP, Pinto LP, Freitas RDA, de Souza LB. Immunohistochemical comparative analysis of tumor stem cell biomarkers in pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2023; 135:396-409. [PMID: 36863971 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the immunoexpression profile of tumor stem cell (TSC) biomarkers CD44, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), OCT4, and SOX2 in salivary gland tumors (SGTs). STUDY DESIGN Sixty tissue specimens of SGTs, including 20 pleomorphic adenomas, 20 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs), and 20 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, in addition to 4 samples of normal glandular tissue, were subjected to immunohistochemistry. The expression of the biomarkers in the parenchyma and stroma was evaluated. Data were analyzed statistically by nonparametric tests (P < .05). RESULTS Higher parenchymal expression of ALDH1, OCT4, and SOX2 was observed in pleomorphic adenomas, ACCs, and mucoepidermoid carcinomas, respectively. Most ACCs did not express ALDH1. Higher immunoexpression of ALDH1 in major SGTs (P = .021) and of OCT4 in minor SGTs (P = .011) was found. Immunoexpression of SOX2 was related to lesions without myoepithelial differentiation (P < .001) and malignant behavior (P = .002). Furthermore, OCT4 was related to myoepithelial differentiation (P = .009). CD44 expression was related to a better prognosis. Stromal immunoexpressions of CD44, ALDH1, and OCT4 were higher in malignant SGTs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest the participation of TSCs in the pathogenesis of SGTs. We emphasize the need for further investigations into the presence and role of TSCs in the stroma of these lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Azevedo Dos Santos
- Dentistry Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Porpino Mafra
- Oral Pathology Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Leorik Pereira da Silva
- Professor, Oral Histopathology Service, Federal University of Campina Grande, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Leão Pereira Pinto
- Professor, Oral Pathology Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Researcher, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Roseana de Almeida Freitas
- Professor, Oral Pathology Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Researcher, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Lélia Batista de Souza
- Professor, Oral Pathology Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Researcher, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
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The Impact of YRNAs on HNSCC and HPV Infection. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030681. [PMID: 36979661 PMCID: PMC10045647 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
HPV infection is one of the most important risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma among younger patients. YRNAs are short non-coding RNAs involved in DNA replication. YRNAs have been found to be dysregulated in many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we investigated the role of YRNAs in HPV-positive HNSCC using publicly available gene expression datasets from HNSCC tissue, where expression patterns of YRNAs in HPV(+) and HPV(−) HNSCC samples significantly differed. Additionally, HNSCC cell lines were treated with YRNA1-overexpressing plasmid and RNA derived from these cell lines was used to perform a NGS analysis. Additionally, a deconvolution analysis was performed to determine YRNA1’s impact on immune cells. YRNA expression levels varied according to cancer pathological and clinical stages, and correlated with more aggressive subtypes. YRNAs were mostly associated with more advanced cancer stages in the HPV(+) group, and YRNA3 and YRNA1 expression levels were found to be correlated with more advanced clinical stages despite HPV infection status, showing that they may function as potential biomarkers of more advanced stages of the disease. YRNA5 was associated with less-advanced cancer stages in the HPV(−) group. Overall survival and progression-free survival analyses showed opposite results between the HPV groups. The expression of YRNAs, especially YRNA1, correlated with a vast number of proteins and cellular processes associated with viral infections and immunologic responses to viruses. HNSCC-derived cell lines overexpressing YRNA1 were then used to determine the correlation of YRNA1 and the expression of genes associated with HPV infections. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of YRNAs as possible HNSCC biomarkers and new molecular targets.
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Martins Balbinot K, Almeida Loureiro FJ, Chemelo GP, Alves Mesquita R, Cruz Ramos AMP, Ramos RTJ, da Costa da Silva AL, de Menezes SAF, da Silva Kataoka MS, Alves Junior SDM, Viana Pinheiro JDJ. Immunoexpression of stem cell markers SOX-2, NANOG AND OCT4 in ameloblastoma. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14349. [PMID: 36655039 PMCID: PMC9841912 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ameloblastoma (AME) is characterized by a locally invasive growth pattern. In an attempt to justify the aggressiveness of neoplasms, the investigation of the role of stem cells has gained prominence. The SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 proteins are important stem cell biomarkers. Methodology To verify the expression of these proteins in tissue samples of AME, dentigerous cyst (DC) and dental follicle (DF), immunohistochemistry was performed and indirect immunofluorescence were performed on the human AME (AME-hTERT) cell line. Results Revealed expression of SOX-2, NANOG and OCT4 in the tissue samples and AME-hTERT lineage. Greater immunostaining of the studied proteins was observed in AME compared to DC and DF (p < 0.001). Conclusions The presence of biomarkers indicates a probable role of stem cells in the genesis and progression of AME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolyny Martins Balbinot
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy and Immunohistochemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ricardo Alves Mesquita
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sergio de Melo Alves Junior
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy and Immunohistochemistry, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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Hsieh CY, Lin CC, Huang YW, Chen JH, Tsou YA, Chang LC, Fan CC, Lin CY, Chang WC. Macrophage secretory IL-1β promotes docetaxel resistance in head and neck squamous carcinoma via SOD2/CAT-ICAM1 signaling. JCI Insight 2022; 7:157285. [PMID: 36264639 PMCID: PMC9746909 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Docetaxel (DTX) combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil has been used as induction chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the development of acquired resistance remains a major obstacle to treatment response. Tumor-associated macrophages are associated with chemotherapeutic resistance. In the present study, increased infiltration of macrophages into the tumor microenvironment (TME) was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly DTX, in patients with HNSCC. Macrophage coculture induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), which promotes stemness and the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells, thereby reducing the efficacy of DTX. Both genetic silencing and pharmacological inhibition of ICAM1 sensitized HNSCC to DTX. Macrophage secretion of IL-1β was found to induce tumor expression of ICAM1. IL-1β neutralization and IL-1 receptor blockade reversed DTX resistance induced by macrophage coculture. IL-1β activated superoxide dismutase 2 and inhibited catalase, thereby modulating intracellular levels of ROS and inducing ICAM1 expression. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) reduced macrophage infiltration into the TME and impaired IL-1β secretion by macrophages. The combinatorial use of ATO enhanced the in vivo efficacy of DTX in a mouse model, which may provide a revolutionary approach to overcoming acquired therapeutic resistance in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yun Hsieh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Huang
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Hang Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-An Tsou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and
| | - Ling-Chu Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Chinese Medicinal Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, and,Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chen Fan
- Department of Research and Development, Marker Exploration Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yuan Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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29
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Fluorescent probes in stomatology. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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30
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Pisani S, Bertino G, Prina-Mello A, Locati LD, Mauramati S, Genta I, Dorati R, Conti B, Benazzo M. Electroporation in Head-and-Neck Cancer: An Innovative Approach with Immunotherapy and Nanotechnology Combination. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5363. [PMID: 36358782 PMCID: PMC9658293 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy that arises in the head-and-neck district. Traditional treatment could be insufficient in case of recurrent and/or metastatic cancers; for this reason, more selective and enhanced treatments are in evaluation in preclinical and clinical trials to increase in situ concentration of chemotherapy drugs promoting a selectively antineoplastic activity. Among all cancer treatment types (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy), electroporation (EP) has emerged as a safe, less invasive, and effective approach for cancer treatment. Reversible EP, using an intensive electric stimulus (i.e., 1000 V/cm) applied for a short time (i.e., 100 μs), determines a localized electric field that temporarily permealizes the tumor cell membranes while maintaining high cell viability, promoting cytoplasm cell uptake of antineoplastic agents such as bleomycin and cisplatin (electrochemotherapy), calcium (Ca2+ electroporation), siRNA and plasmid DNA (gene electroporation). The higher intracellular concentration of antineoplastic agents enhances the antineoplastic activity and promotes controlled tumor cell death (apoptosis). As secondary effects, localized EP (i) reduces the capillary blood flow in tumor tissue ("vascular lock"), lowering drug washout, and (ii) stimulates the immune system acting against cancer cells. After years of preclinical development, electrochemotherapy (ECT), in combination with bleomycin or cisplatin, is currently one of the most effective treatments used for cutaneous metastases and primary skin and mucosal cancers that are not amenable to surgery. To reach this clinical evidence, in vitro and in vivo models were preclinically developed for evaluating the efficacy and safety of ECT on different tumor cell lines and animal models to optimize dose and administration routes of drugs, duration, and intensity of the electric field. Improvements in reversible EP efficacy are under evaluation for HNSCC treatment, where the focus is on the development of a combination treatment between EP-enhanced nanotechnology and immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pisani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Camillo Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertino
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Camillo Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Adriele Prina-Mello
- LBCAM, Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 8, Ireland
- Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN), Trinity College Dublin, DO2 W085 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Deborah Locati
- Translational Oncology, IRCCS ICS Maugeri, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Simone Mauramati
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Camillo Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ida Genta
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Rossella Dorati
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Bice Conti
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Benazzo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Camillo Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Wei Y, Li Y, Chen Y, Liu P, Huang S, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wu Z, Hu M, Wu Q, Wu H, Liu F, She T, Ning Z. ALDH1: A potential therapeutic target for cancer stem cells in solid tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1026278. [PMID: 36387165 PMCID: PMC9650078 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1026278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors can be divided into benign solid tumors and solid malignant tumors in the academic community, among which malignant solid tumors are called cancers. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, and the global incidence of cancer is increasing yearly New cancer patients in China are always the first. After the concept of stem cells was introduced in the tumor community, the CSC markers represented by ALDH1 have been widely studied due to their strong CSC cell characteristics and potential to be the driving force of tumor metastasis. In the research results in the past five years, it has been found that ALDH1 is highly expressed in various solid cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, head,and neck cancer. ALDH1 can activate and transform various pathways (such as the USP28/MYC signaling pathway, ALDH1A1/HIF-1α/VEGF axis, wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway), as well as change the intracellular pH value to promote formation and maintenance, resulting in drug resistance in tumors. By targeting and inhibiting ALDH1 in tumor stem cells, it can enhance the sensitivity of drugs and inhibit the proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis of solid tumor stem cells to some extent. This review discusses the relationship and pathway of ALDH1 with various solid tumors. It proposes that ALDH1 may serve as a diagnosis and therapeutic target for CSC, providing new insights and new strategies for reliable tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolu Wei
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yenan Chen
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yanling Sun
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Meichun Hu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Qian Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Hongnian Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Fuxing Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
| | - Tonghui She
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
| | - Zhifeng Ning
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
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Bi Y, Shi X, Chen D, Zhao Y. CD133, but Not CD44, May Serve as a Novel Biomarker for Differential Diagnosis Between Basal Cell Carcinoma and Trichoblastomas. CLINICAL, COSMETIC AND INVESTIGATIONAL DERMATOLOGY 2022; 15:1517-1526. [PMID: 35941854 PMCID: PMC9356750 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s373331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the clinical value of CD133 and CD44 as putative cancer stem cell markers in distinguishing between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and trichoblastomas (TB). Patients and Methods Tumor samples from 24 BCC and 23 TB patients were retrospectively retrieved for immunohistochemical staining of CD133 and CD44. The results were interpreted using a semiquantitative scoring system (H score). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was developed to identify an optimal cutoff value for differentiating between BCC and TB. Results Expression of CD133 was significantly higher in BCC patients than in TB patients (median H score: 30 [IQR: 12.5–56.3] vs 0 [IQR: 0–2], P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in CD44 expression between the two groups (median H score: 105 [IQR: 63.8–155.0] vs 60 [IQR: 30–120], P = 0.095). The ROC analysis of CD133 immunostaining yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.881 (95% CI: 0.756–1.000) for differentiating between BCC and TB by using a H score of 7 as the cut-off value (98.5% sensitivity and 87.0% specificity). By contrast, immunostaining of CD44 showed a lower diagnostic value, with an AUC of 0.642 (95% CI: 0.476–0.808) at the optimal cut-off value of 85 (62.5% sensitivity and 73.9% specificity). The positive and negative predictive values were 88.5% and 95.2% for CD133 and 71.4% and 65.4% for CD44, respectively. Additionally, CD133 expression was significantly associated with mitotic activity in BCC patients (r = 0.549, P = 0.005). Conclusion Our study expanded upon previous studies of CD133 and CD44 expressions in skin tumors, suggesting that CD133, but not CD44, may serve as a novel biomarker for differential diagnosis of BCC, although future studies using a larger number of patients are needed to justify it further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Bi
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Shi
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dian Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yi Zhao, Department of Dermatology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, No. 168 Litang Road, Changping District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 010 56119127, Email
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Mutated FANCA Gene Role in the Modulation of Energy Metabolism and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152353. [PMID: 35954197 PMCID: PMC9425438 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fanconi Anaemia (FA) is a rare recessive genetic disorder characterized by a defective DNA repair mechanism. Although aplastic anaemia is the principal clinical sign in FA, patients develop a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a frequency 500–700 folds higher than the general population, which appears more aggressive, with survival of under two years. Since FA gene mutations are also associated with a defect in the aerobic metabolism and an increased oxidative stress accumulation, this work aims to evaluate the effect of FANCA mutation on the energy metabolism and the relative mitochondrial quality control pathways in an HNSCC cellular model. Energy metabolism and cellular antioxidant capacities were evaluated by oximetric, luminometric, and spectrophotometric assays. The dynamics of the mitochondrial network, the quality of mitophagy and autophagy, and DNA double-strand damage were analysed by Western blot analysis. Data show that the HNSCC cellular model carrying the FANCA gene mutation displays an altered electron transport between respiratory Complexes I and III that does not depend on the OxPhos protein expression. Moreover, FANCA HNSCC cells show an imbalance between fusion and fission processes and alterations in autophagy and mitophagy pathways. Together, all these alterations associated with the FANCA gene mutation cause cellular energy depletion and a metabolic switch to glycolysis, exacerbating the Warburg effect in HNSCC cells and increasing the growth rate. In addition, the altered DNA repair due to the FANCA mutation causes a higher accumulation of DNA damage in the HNSCC cellular model. In conclusion, changes in energy metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics could explain the strict correlation between HNSCC and FA genes, helping to identify new therapeutic targets.
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Sun R, Zhou Y, Cai Y, Shui C, Wang X, Zhu J. circ_0000045 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas via regulating HSP70 and MAPK pathway. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:799. [PMID: 35854245 PMCID: PMC9297571 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09880-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one severe malignancy driven by complex cellular and signaling mechanisms. However, the roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in HNSCC’s development remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigated the functions of differentially expressed circRNAs in regulating HNSCC cell functions. Methods Differentially expressed circRNAs were characterized through RNA sequencing in HNSCC tissues. CircRNA’s identity was then confirmed using RT-PCR and Sanger’s sequencing. Next, expression levels of circRNA and mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR, after which protein abundances were measured by Western blotting. Subsequently, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells was assessed by MTS, wound healing, and Transwell system, respectively, followed by identification of circRNA-binding proteins in HNSCC cells by circRNA pull-down, coupled with mass spectrometry. Results Great alterations in circRNA profiles were detected in HNSCC tissues, including the elevated expression of circ_0000045. As observed, silencing of circ_0000045 effectively repressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cell lines (FaDu and SCC-9). Contrarily, circ_0000045’s overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion in FaDu and SCC-9 cells. Results also showed that circ_0000045 was associated with multiple RNA-binding proteins in HNSCC cells, such as HSP70. Moreover, circ_0000045 knockdown enhanced HSP70 expression and inhibited JNK2 and P38’s expression in HNSCC cells, which were oppositely regulated by circ_0000045’s overexpression. Conclusion The high expression of circ_0000045; therefore, promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion during HNSCC’s development through regulating HSP70 protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09880-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghao Sun
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China. .,Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, No. 37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Yuqiu Zhou
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yongcong Cai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Chunyan Shui
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Jingqiang Zhu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute,University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No.55, 4th section of Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China. .,Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, No. 37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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Ding Z, Shen H, Xu K, Wu Y, Wang S, Yi F, Wang D, Liu Y. Comprehensive Analysis of mTORC1 Signaling Pathway–Related Genes in the Prognosis of HNSCC and the Response to Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:792482. [PMID: 35573741 PMCID: PMC9100579 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.792482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The mammalian target of the rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway has emerged as a crucial player in the oncogenesis and development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), however, to date, no relevant gene signature has been identified. Therefore, we aimed to construct a novel gene signature based on the mTORC1 pathway for predicting the outcomes of patients with HNSCC and their response to treatment. Methods: The gene expression and clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The key prognostic genes associated with the mTORC1 pathway were screened by univariate Cox regression analyses. A prognostic signature was then established based on significant factors identified in the multivariate Cox regression analysis. The performance of the multigene signature was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Based on the median risk score, patients were categorized into high- and low-risk groups. Subsequently, a hybrid prognostic nomogram was constructed and estimated by a calibration plot and decision curve analysis. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration and therapeutic responses were compared between the two risk groups. Finally, we measured the expression levels of seven genes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The mTORC1 pathway–based signature was constructed using the seven identified genes (SEC11A, CYB5B, HPRT1, SLC2A3, SC5D, CORO1A, and PIK3R3). Patients in the high-risk group exhibited a lower overall survival (OS) rate than those in the low-risk group in both datasets. Through the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, this gene signature was confirmed to be an independent prognostic risk factor for HNSCC. The constructed nomogram based on age, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, and the risk score exhibited satisfactory performance in predicting the OS. In addition, immune cell infiltration and chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic responses differed significantly between the two risk groups. The expression levels of SEC11A and CYB5B were higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues. Conclusion: Our study established and verified an mTORC1 signaling pathway–related gene signature that could be used as a novel prognostic factor for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Ding
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hailong Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of Anhui Wanbei Coal Power Group, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuhao Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fangzheng Yi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Daming Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yehai Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yehai Liu,
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Li Y, Wang W, Wu M, Zhu P, Zhou Z, Gong Y, Gu Y. LncRNA LINC01315 silencing modulates cancer stem cell properties and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer via miR-484/DLK1 axis. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:851-873. [PMID: 35156543 PMCID: PMC8973332 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2033415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 01315 (LncRNA LINC01315) has been found to be implicated in various cancers, but its role and functions in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be addressed. Data on LINC01315 expression in CRC were gathered using bioinformatics analysis, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) were sorted by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) assay and flow cytometry. Migration, invasion, and stemness of CSCs isolated from CRC cells after transfection were determined by scratch, Transwell, and sphere-formation assays, respectively. Tumor xenograft model was constructed. Target genes and potential-binding sites were predicted using online databases and further confirmed via dual-luciferase reporter assay. Relative factors expressions were determined via quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reaction and Western blot as needed. LINC01315 was high-expressed in CRC and ALDH+ cells. LINC01315 silencing suppressed the migration, invasion, and sphere formation of CRC cells and tumor growth, and downregulated expressions of CSC molecules (ALDH, cluster of difference 44 (CD44), Prominin, and sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2)), Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and Vimentin but upregulated E-Cadherin expression. MiR-484 could competitively bind with LINC01315, and LINC01315 silencing promoted miR-484 expression. The level of Delta Like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 (DLK1), the target gene of miR-484, was enhanced by overexpressed LINC01315 yet was suppressed by LINC01315 silencing. Also, DLK1 silencing reversed the effects of downregulated miR-484 on migration, invasion, sphere formation, and CSC molecules expressions in CRC cells. LINC01315 silencing modulated CSC properties and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via miR-484/DLK1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youran Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Minna Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Zailong Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Yuxia Gong
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China
| | - Yunfei Gu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, China,CONTACT Yunfei GuJiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 155 Hanzhong Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province210029, China. +86-02586617141-71116
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Sato F, Bhawal UK, Osaki S, Sugiyama N, Oikawa K, Muragaki Y. Differential immunohistochemical expression of DEC1, CK‑1ε, and CD44 in oral atypical squamous epithelium and carcinoma in situ. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:159. [PMID: 35266015 PMCID: PMC8941534 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Presence of nuclear atypia during histological investigation is often a cause of concern for pathologists while identifying tumor and non-tumor cells in a biopsy sample of oral mucosa. Nuclear atypia is observed in severe inflammation, ulcers and reactive changes. Therefore, additional methods, such as immunohistochemistry, may help precise diagnosis. When the atypia is suggestive of tumorous or reactive origin, the lesion is diagnosed as atypical squamous epithelium (ASE). When there is severe nuclear atypia in the mucosa, such as in disorders of nuclear polarity, large nuclei, and clear nucleolus, the lesion is diagnosed as carcinoma in situ (CIS). However, it is not easy to distinguish ASE and CIS using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The present study aimed to distinguish ASE from CIS using immunohistochemistry. A total of 32 biopsy samples of either ASE or CIS cases were selected and the level of casein kinase 1ε (CK-1ε), differentiated embryonic chondrocyte gene 1 (DEC1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD44, which are four protein markers which have been previously linked to cancer progression, were analyzed. CK-1ε and CD44 expression was higher in CIS samples than in ASE samples. However, DEC1 expression was lower in CIS samples than in ASE samples. PCNA expression was not markedly different between the two groups. Additionally, it was found that DEC1-overexpressing cells had decreased levels of CK-1ε and CD44 compared with control cells, while CK-1ε-overexpressing cells had relatively unchanged levels of CD44, DEC1 and PCNA. These results suggested that DEC1 negatively regulates the expression of CK-1ε and CD44. Thus, DEC1, CK-1ε, and CD44 were identified as mechanistically linked and clinically relevant protein biomarkers, which could help distinguish ASE and CIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyuki Sato
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Sunto‑gun, Shizuoka 411‑8777, Japan
| | - Ujjal K Bhawal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba 271‑8587, Japan
| | - Shoko Osaki
- Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641‑8509, Japan
| | - Nao Sugiyama
- Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641‑8509, Japan
| | - Kosuke Oikawa
- Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641‑8509, Japan
| | - Yasuteru Muragaki
- Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641‑8509, Japan
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High CD44 Immunoexpression Correlates with Poor Overall Survival: Assessing the Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients from the High-Risk Population of Pakistan. Int J Surg Oncol 2022; 2022:9990489. [PMID: 35296132 PMCID: PMC8920653 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9990489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a top-ranked cancer in the Pakistani population, and patient survival has remained unchanged at ∼50% for several decades. Recent advances have claimed that a subset of tumour cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), are responsible for tumour progression, treatment resistance, and metastasis, which leads to a poor prognosis. This study investigated the impact of CSC markers expression on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of OSCC patients. Materials and Methods. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate CD44, CD133, L1CAM, and SOX2 expression in a well-characterized cohort of 100 Pakistani patients with primary treatment naïve OSCC. The immunoreactivity for each marker was correlated with patient clinicopathologic characteristics, oral cancer risk chewing habits, and survival. The minimum follow-up time for all patients was five years, and survival estimates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Results. In this cohort of 100 patients, there were 57 males and 43 females. The median OS and DFS time durations observed were 64 and 52.5 months, respectively. Positive expression for CD44, CD133, L1CAM, and SOX2 was observed in 33%, 23%, 41%, and 63% of patients. High CD44 expression correlated with decreased OS (P=0.047) but did not influence DFS. However, CD133, L1CAM, and SOX2 had no effect on either OS or DFS. Tonsils, nodal involvement, and AJCC stage were independent predictors of worse OS and DFS both. Conclusion. Of the CSC markers investigated here, only CD44 was a predictor for poor OS. CD44 was also associated with advanced AJCC and T stages. Interestingly, CD133 was significantly lower in patients who habitually consumed oral cancer risk factors.
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Arjmand B, Hamidpour SK, Alavi-Moghadam S, Yavari H, Shahbazbadr A, Tavirani MR, Gilany K, Larijani B. Molecular Docking as a Therapeutic Approach for Targeting Cancer Stem Cell Metabolic Processes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:768556. [PMID: 35264950 PMCID: PMC8899123 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.768556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulation of cells which have been demonstrated in a variety of cancer models and involved in cancer initiation, progression, and development. Indeed, CSCs which seem to form a small percentage of tumor cells, display resembling characteristics to natural stem cells such as self-renewal, survival, differentiation, proliferation, and quiescence. Moreover, they have some characteristics that eventually can demonstrate the heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor progression. On the other hand, another aspect of CSCs that has been recognized as a central concern facing cancer patients is resistance to mainstays of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Owing to these details and the stated stemness capabilities, these immature progenitors of cancerous cells can constantly persist after different therapies and cause tumor regrowth or metastasis. Further, in both normal development and malignancy, cellular metabolism and stemness are intricately linked and CSCs dominant metabolic phenotype changes across tumor entities, patients, and tumor subclones. Hence, CSCs can be determined as one of the factors that correlate to the failure of common therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. In this context, researchers are searching out new alternative or complementary therapies such as targeted methods to fight against cancer. Molecular docking is one of the computational modeling methods that has a new promise in cancer cell targeting through drug designing and discovering programs. In a simple definition, molecular docking methods are used to determine the metabolic interaction between two molecules and find the best orientation of a ligand to its molecular target with minimal free energy in the formation of a stable complex. As a comprehensive approach, this computational drug design method can be thought more cost-effective and time-saving compare to other conventional methods in cancer treatment. In addition, increasing productivity and quality in pharmaceutical research can be another advantage of this molecular modeling method. Therefore, in recent years, it can be concluded that molecular docking can be considered as one of the novel strategies at the forefront of the cancer battle via targeting cancer stem cell metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Babak Arjmand, ; Bagher Larijani,
| | - Shayesteh Kokabi Hamidpour
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Alavi-Moghadam
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Yavari
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ainaz Shahbazbadr
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kambiz Gilany
- Integrative Oncology Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Babak Arjmand, ; Bagher Larijani,
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CD44, γ-H2AX, and p-ATM Expressions in Short-Term Ex Vivo Culture of Tumour Slices Predict the Treatment Response in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020877. [PMID: 35055060 PMCID: PMC8775909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of head and neck cancer (HNSCC) with a disease-free survival at 3 years that does not exceed 30%. Biomarkers able to predict clinical outcomes are clearly needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a short-term culture of tumour fragments irradiated ex vivo could anticipate patient responses to chemo- and/or radiotherapies. Biopsies were collected prior to treatment from a cohort of 28 patients with non-operable tumours of the oral cavity or oropharynx, and then cultured ex vivo. Short-term biopsy slice culture is a robust method that keeps cells viable for 7 days. Different biomarkers involved in the stemness status (CD44) or the DNA damage response (pATM and γ-H2AX) were investigated for their potential to predict the treatment response. A higher expression of all these markers was predictive of a poor response to treatment. This allowed the stratification of responder or non-responder patients to treatment. Moreover, the ratio for the expression of the three markers 24 h after 4 Gy irradiation versus 0 Gy was higher in responder than in non-responder patients. Finally, combining these biomarkers greatly improved their predictive potential, especially when the γ-H2AX ratio was associated with the CD44 ratio or the pATM ratio. These results encourage further evaluation of these biomarkers in a larger cohort of patients.
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Chen Y, Zhao H, Liang W, Jiang E, Zhou X, Shao Z, Liu K, Shang Z. Autophagy regulates the cancer stem cell phenotype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through the noncanonical FOXO3/SOX2 axis. Oncogene 2022; 41:634-646. [PMID: 34795388 PMCID: PMC8799462 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02115-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an essential catabolic process that orchestrates cellular homeostasis and plays dual roles in tumor promotion and suppression. However, the mechanism by which autophagy affects the self-renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether autophagy activation contributes to CSC properties of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The results showed that the autophagy level and CSC properties of HNSCC cells were elevated in response to several adverse conditions, including treatment with cisplatin, starvation, and hypoxia. Pretreatment with autophagy inhibitors, such as 3-MA and chloroquine, diminished the CSC properties acquired under adverse conditions. In addition, the isolated CSCs were endowed with stronger autophagic activity than non-CSCs, and the CSC properties were dampened when autophagy was inhibited either by 3-MA, chloroquine, or Beclin1 knockdown. Notably, the tumor-initiating activity of CSCs was decreased upon knocking down Beclin1. Further study revealed that FOXO3, a substrate for autophagy, was enriched in the nucleus of cells with lower autophagy levels. Nuclear FOXO3 directly bound to the promoter region of SOX2 and negatively regulated its transcriptional activity. Overexpression of FOXO3 decreased the expression of SOX2 and thereby impaired the CSC phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings suggest that the activation of autophagy is essential for the acquisition of CSC properties in adverse conditions and the self-renewal of CSCs. We clarify the role of autophagy in regulating the CSC phenotype and demonstrate that the noncanonical FOXO3/SOX2 axis is the intrinsic regulatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
| | - Weilian Liang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
| | - Erhui Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaocheng Zhou
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Shao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Liu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengjun Shang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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lncRNA TUG1 Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics and Chemoresistance by Enhancing GATA6 Protein Stability. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:1075481. [PMID: 34858502 PMCID: PMC8632465 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1075481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chemoresistance and tumor recurrence lead to high deaths in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to these pathologic properties, but the exact mechanisms are still poorly understood. This study identified that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TUG1 was highly expressed in CRC stem cells and investigated its mechanism. Methods After the CD133+/CD44+ cells with cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics were isolated and identified by flow cytometry, lncRNA TUG1 expression was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR. The lncRNA TUG1 function was further investigated using gain- and loss-of-function assays, sphere formation, Western blot, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and cell apoptosis detection. Moreover, the mechanism was explored by RNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, and cycloheximide- (CHX-) chase assays. Results lncRNA TUG1 was elevated in CD133+/CD44+ cells with CSC characteristics. Functionally, lncRNA TUG1 increased the characteristics and oxaliplatin resistance of CRC stem cells. Mechanically, lncRNA TUG1 interacted with GATA6 and positively regulated its protein level and the rescue assays corroborated that lncRNA TUG1 knockdown repressed the characteristics and oxaliplatin resistance of CRC stem cells by decreasing GATA6 and functioned in CRC by targeting the GATA6-BMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, the in vivo assay verified the lncRNA TUG1 function in facilitating the characteristics and oxaliplatin resistance of CRC stem cells. Conclusion lncRNA TUG1 facilitated CRC stem cell characteristics and chemoresistance by enhancing GATA6 protein stability.
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The Role of Genetic Pathways in the Development of Chemoradiation Resistance in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Patients. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111835. [PMID: 34828441 PMCID: PMC8619242 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains elusive despite new developments and advancement that has been made in the current management approaches. A patient’s survival and prognosis remain dismal especially for a late-stage disease. This is highly attribute to the chemoradiation resistance. Arrays of genes and molecular mechanisms underlie the development of chemoradiation resistance in NPC. Imperatively, unravelling the true pathogenesis of chemoradiation resistance is crucial as these significant proteins and genes can be modulated to produce an effective therapeutic target. It is pivotal to identify the chemoradiation resistance at the very beginning in order to combat the chemoradiation resistance efficiently. Intense research in the genetic ecosphere is critical, as the discovery and development of novel therapeutic targets can be used for screening, diagnosis, and treating the chemoradiation resistance aggressively. This will escalate the management trajectory of NPC patients. This article highlights the significance of genetic and molecular factors that play critical roles in the chemoradiation resistance and how these factors may be modified for next-generation targeted therapy products.
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Prevalence of HPV in Mexican Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma and Identification of Potential Prognostic Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225602. [PMID: 34830760 PMCID: PMC8616077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that show diverse clinical and biological characteristics associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Biological and clinical characterization is essential to stratify patients based on prognostic and predictive factors. The biological features of HNSCC may change according to geography and population characteristics. Studies on the molecular biology of HNSCC in Mexico are scarce. In the present study, we analyzed 414 Mexican patients with HNSCC and determined the presence and genotype of HPV, p16 expression, and global gene expression profiles. Twenty-two percent of total cases were HPV+, and 32% were p16+. We identified genes associated with survival, such as SLIRP, KLF10, AREG, ACT1, and LIMA. In addition, CSF1R, MYC, and SRC genes were identified as potential therapeutic targets. This study offers information that may be relevant for our understanding of the biology of HNSCC and the development of therapeutic strategies. Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) show a variety of biological and clinical characteristics that could depend on the association with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Biological and clinical characterization is essential to stratify patients based on prognostic and predictive factors. Reports on HNSCC are scarce in Mexico. Herein, we analyzed 414 Mexican patients with HNSCC, including oropharynx (OPSCC), larynx (LASCC), and oral cavity (OCSCC), and identified HPV DNA and p16 expression. Global gene expression profiles were analyzed in 25 HPV+/p16+ vs. HPV−/p16− cases. We found 32.3% p16+ and 22.3% HPV+ samples, HPV 16, 18, 39, 52, and 31 being the most frequent genotypes. For OPSCC, LASCC and OCSCC, 39.2, 14.7, and 9.6% were HPV+/p16+, respectively. High expression of SLIRP, KLF10, AREG, and LIMA was associated with poor survival; in contrast, high expression of MYB and SYCP2 correlated with better survival. In HPV+ cases, high expression of SLC25A39 and GJB2 was associated with poor survival. Likewise, EGFR, IL-1, IL-6, JAK-STAT, WNT, NOTCH, and ESR1 signaling pathways were downregulated in HPV+ cases. CSF1R, MYC, and SRC genes were identified as key hubs and therapeutic targets. Our study offers information regarding the molecular and clinical characteristics of HNSCC in Mexican patients.
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Cirillo N, Wu C, Prime SS. Heterogeneity of Cancer Stem Cells in Tumorigenesis, Metastasis, and Resistance to Antineoplastic Treatment of Head and Neck Tumours. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113068. [PMID: 34831291 PMCID: PMC8619944 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of a small subset of cancer cells with self-renewal properties that can give rise to phenotypically diverse tumour populations has shifted our understanding of cancer biology. Targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) is becoming a promising therapeutic strategy in various malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Diverse sub-populations of head and neck cancer stem cells (HNCSCs) have been identified previously using CSC specific markers, the most common being CD44, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), and CD133, or by side population assays. Interestingly, distinct HNCSC subsets play different roles in the generation and progression of tumours. This article aims to review the evidence for a role of specific CSCs in HNSCC tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis, together with resistance to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cirillo
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Carmen Wu
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia;
| | - Stephen S. Prime
- Centre for Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
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Cigarette smoke upregulates Notch-1 signaling pathway and promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression. Toxicol Lett 2021; 355:31-40. [PMID: 34748854 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Notch-1 pathway plays an important role in lung carcinoma, stem cell regulation, cellular communication, growth and differentiation. Cigarette smoke is involved in the regulation of Notch signaling. However, current data regarding the impact of cigarette smoke on the Notch pathway in lung cancer progression are limited. The present study aimed to explore whether cigarette smoke exposure altered Notch-1 pathway in ex-vivo (surgical samples of lung parenchyma from non-smoker and smoker patients with lung adenocarcinoma) and in vitro (adenocarcinoma A549 cell line) approaches. The expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1 and CD133 in surgical samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. A549 were exposed to cigarette smoke extracts (2.5% and 5% CSE for 6, 24 and 48 h) and the expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1 and Hes-1 was evaluated by Real-Time PCR and Western Blot (nuclear fractions). Expression and localization of Notch-1, Hes-1, CD133 and ABCG2 were assessed by immunofluorescence. The expression of survivin and Ki-67 was assessed by flow cytometry following CSE exposure and inhibition of Notch-1 signaling. Smokers lung parenchyma exhibited higher expression of Notch-1. CSE exposure increased Notch-1 and Hes-1 gene and nuclear protein expression in A549. Immunofluorescence confirmed higher expression of nuclear Hes-1 in CSE-stimulated A549 cells. CSE increased both survivin and Ki-67 expression and this effect was reverted by inhibition of the Notch-1 pathway. In conclusion, these data show that cigarette smoke may promote adenocarcinoma progression by activating the Notch-1 pathway thus supporting its role as hallmark of lung cancer progression and as a new target for lung cancer treatment.
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Paparella ML, Ferri DM, Villegas KM, Raimondi AR. Quantitative analysis of KLF4 and SOX2 expression in oral carcinomas reveals independent association with oral tongue subsite location and histological grade. Cancer Biomark 2021; 32:37-48. [PMID: 34092609 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-203086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stemness factors associated with tumorigenesis in different types of cancers have not been specifically studied in oral tongue SCC (OTSSC). Here, we aimed to quantify expression levels and distribution of KLF4 and SOX2, two relevant stemness factors, in oral SCC including OTSCC samples from different subsites. METHODS AND RESULTS We determined KLF4 and SOX2 expression levels by immunostaining 35 biopsies of OSCC. Stained wholeslide images were digitized and subjected to automatic cell detection and unbiased quantification using Qupath software. We found statistically significant reduction in KLF4 positive cells density (p= 0.024), and fraction (p= 0.022) in OTSCC from tongue borders compared with other tongue subsites. Instead, quantitative SOX2 analysis did not show differences in expression levels between OTSCC from the borders versus OTSCC developed in others subsites. Notably SOX2 expression was revealed increased in moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC compared with well differentiated ones (positive cells density p= 0.025, fraction p= 0.006). No significant correlation between KLF4 and SOX2 expression was observed, neither in OSCC nor in OTSCC. CONCLUSIONS KLF4 and SOX2 exhibit opposite expression profiles regarding subsite localization and differentiation level in OSCC. Our study prompts future OTSCC prospective studies looking for clinical prognosis to incorporate detailed subsite information in the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Paparella
- School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology Department, Surgical Pathology Laboratory, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Martin Ferri
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-UBACONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Krissya María Villegas
- School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology Department, Surgical Pathology Laboratory, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Raimondi
- School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology Department, Surgical Pathology Laboratory, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE-UBACONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Cancer Stem Cells in Oropharyngeal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153878. [PMID: 34359786 PMCID: PMC8345685 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), which is a common type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is associated with tobacco and alcohol use, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Underlying mechanisms and as a result prognosis of the HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPC patients are different. Like stem cells, the ability of self-renewal and differentiate, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have roles in tumor invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence after therapy. Research revealed their roles to some extent in all of these processes but there are still many unresolved points to connect to CSC-targeted therapy. In this review, we will focus on what we currently know about CSCs of OPC and limitations of our current knowledge. We will present perspectives that will broaden our understanding and recent literature which may connect to therapy.
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Discrimination of Cancer Stem Cell Markers ALDH1A1, BCL11B, BMI-1, and CD44 in Different Tissues of HNSCC Patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:2763-2774. [PMID: 34287293 PMCID: PMC8293237 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28040241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are accountable for the progress of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This exploratory study evaluated the expression of molecular CSC markers in different tissues of HNSCC patients. Tissue specimens of primary tumor, lymph node metastases and macroscopically healthy mucosa of 12 consecutive HNSCC patients, that were treated with surgery and adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy upon indication, were collected. Samples were assessed for the expression of p16 as a surrogate for HPV-related disease and different molecular stem cell markers (ALDH1A1, BCL11B, BMI-1, and CD44). In the cohort, seven patients had HPV-related HNSCC; six thereof were oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. While expression of BMI-1 and BCL11B was significantly lower in healthy mucosa than both tumor and lymph node metastasis, there were no differences between tumor and lymph node metastasis. In the HPV-positive sub-cohort, these differences remained significant for BMI-1. However, no significant differences in these three tissues were found for ALDH1A1 and CD44. In conclusion, this exploratory study shows that CSC markers BMI-1 and BCL11B discriminate between healthy and cancerous tissue, whereas ALDH1A1 and CD44 were expressed to a comparable extent in healthy mucosa and cancerous tissues.
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Long Q, Wang H, Xiang M, Xiang M, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Liu J, Guan X. Partial EMT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Snapshot. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3036-3047. [PMID: 34421348 PMCID: PMC8375241 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of cancer EMT, some subgroups of cancer cells simultaneously exhibit both mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, a phenomenon termed partial EMT (pEMT). pEMT is a plastic state in which cells coexpress epithelial and mesenchymal markers. In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pEMT is regulated, and the phenotype is maintained via the HIPPO pathway, NOTCH pathway and TGF-β pathways and by microRNAs, lncRNAs and the cancer microenvironment (CME); thus, SCC exhibits aggressive tumorigenic properties and high stemness, which leads collective migration and therapy resistance. Few studies have reported therapeutic interventions to address cells that have undergone pEMT, and this approach may be an effective way to inhibit the plasticity, drug resistance and metastatic potential of SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Meiling Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mingli Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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