1
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Chen X, Ding Y, Yi Y, Chen Z, Fu J, Chang Y. Review of Animal Models of Colorectal Cancer in Different Carcinogenesis Pathways. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1583-1592. [PMID: 38526618 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08384-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract with increasing morbidity and mortality. Exploring the factors affecting colorectal carcinogenesis and controlling its occurrence at its root is as important as studying post-cancer treatment and management. Establishing ideal animal models of CRC is crucial, which can occur through various pathways, such as adenoma-carcinoma sequence, inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, serrated polyp pathway and de-novo pathway. This article aims to categorize the existing well-established CRC animal models based on different carcinogenesis pathways, and to describe their mechanisms, methods, advantages and limitations using domestic and international literature sources. This will provide suggestions for the selection of animal models in early-stage CRC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yirong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yun Yi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhishan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jiaping Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ying Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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2
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Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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3
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Salu P, Reindl KM. Advancements in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreas 2024; 53:e205-e220. [PMID: 38206758 PMCID: PMC10842038 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest of all cancer types with a 5-year overall survival rate of just 12%. Preclinical models available for understanding the disease pathophysiology have evolved significantly in recent years. Traditionally, commercially available 2-dimensional cell lines were developed to investigate mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, these cells grow as monolayer cultures that lack heterogeneity and do not effectively represent tumor biology. Developing patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models led to increased cellular heterogeneity, molecular diversity, and tissues that histologically represent the original patient tumors. However, these models are relatively expensive and very timing consuming. More recently, the advancement of fast and inexpensive in vitro models that better mimic disease conditions in vivo are on the rise. Three-dimensional cultures like organoids and spheroids have gained popularity and are considered to recapitulate complex disease characteristics. In addition, computational genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomic models are being developed to simulate pancreatic cancer progression and predict better treatment strategies. Herein, we review the challenges associated with pancreatic cancer research and available analytical models. We suggest that an integrated approach toward using these models may allow for developing new strategies for pancreatic cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Salu
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
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4
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Elhariri A, Alhaj A, Ahn D, Sonbol MB, Bekaii-Saab T, Wu C, Rutenberg MS, Stauffer J, Starr J, Majeed U, Jones J, Borad M, Babiker H. Targeting KRAS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Progress in demystifying the holy grail. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:285-296. [PMID: 37700806 PMCID: PMC10494558 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i8.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most challenging diseases, with a very poor 5-year overall survival of around 11.5%. Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutation is seen in 90%-95% of PC patients and plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and survival, making it an essential mutation for targeted therapy. Despite extensive efforts in studying this oncogene, there has been little success in finding a drug to target this pathway, labelling it for decades as "undruggable". In this article we summarize some of the efforts made to target the KRAS pathway in PC, discuss the challenges, and shed light on promising clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elhariri
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Ahmed Alhaj
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Daniel Ahn
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Mohamad Bassam Sonbol
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Tanios Bekaii-Saab
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Christina Wu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Michael Scott Rutenberg
- Department of Radiation-Oncology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - John Stauffer
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Jason Starr
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Umair Majeed
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Jeremy Jones
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
| | - Mitesh Borad
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ 85054, United States
| | - Hani Babiker
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, United States
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5
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Marstrand-Daucé L, Lorenzo D, Chassac A, Nicole P, Couvelard A, Haumaitre C. Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia (ADM): On the Road to Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) and Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9946. [PMID: 37373094 PMCID: PMC10298625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129946] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult pancreatic acinar cells show high plasticity allowing them to change in their differentiation commitment. Pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) is a cellular process in which the differentiated pancreatic acinar cells transform into duct-like cells. This process can occur as a result of cellular injury or inflammation in the pancreas. While ADM is a reversible process allowing pancreatic acinar regeneration, persistent inflammation or injury can lead to the development of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), which is a common precancerous lesion that precedes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Several factors can contribute to the development of ADM and PanIN, including environmental factors such as obesity, chronic inflammation and genetic mutations. ADM is driven by extrinsic and intrinsic signaling. Here, we review the current knowledge on the cellular and molecular biology of ADM. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ADM is critical for the development of new therapeutic strategies for pancreatitis and PDAC. Identifying the intermediate states and key molecules that regulate ADM initiation, maintenance and progression may help the development of novel preventive strategies for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Marstrand-Daucé
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Diane Lorenzo
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Anaïs Chassac
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Bichat Hospital, Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Pascal Nicole
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Anne Couvelard
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Bichat Hospital, Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Haumaitre
- INSERM UMR1149, Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Université Paris Cité, 75018 Paris, France; (L.M.-D.); (D.L.); (A.C.); (P.N.); (A.C.)
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6
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Fang X, Lan H, Jin K, Qian J. Pancreatic cancer and exosomes: role in progression, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1149551. [PMID: 37287924 PMCID: PMC10242099 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1149551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most dangerous diseases that threaten human life, and investigating the details affecting its progression or regression is particularly important. Exosomes are one of the derivatives produced from different cells, including tumor cells and other cells such as Tregs, M2 macrophages, and MDSCs, and can help tumor growth. These exosomes perform their actions by affecting the cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components and immune cells that are responsible for killing tumor cells. It has also been shown that pancreatic cancer cell (PCC)-derived exosomes at different stages carry molecules. Checking the presence of these molecules in the blood and other body fluids can help us in the early stage diagnosis and monitoring of PC. However, immune system cell-derived exosomes (IEXs) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes can contribute to PC treatment. Immune cells produce exosomes as part of the mechanisms involved in the immune surveillance and tumor cell-killing phenomenon. Exosomes can be modified in such a way that their antitumor properties are enhanced. One of these methods is drug loading in exosomes, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. In general, exosomes form a complex intercellular communication network that plays a role in developing, progressing, diagnosing, monitoring, and treating pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huanrong Lan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Xinchang People’s Hospital, Affiliated Xinchang Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Xinchang, Zhejiang, China
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7
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Kong W, Zhu L, Li T, Chen J, Fan B, Ji W, Zhang C, Cai X, Hu C, Sun X, Cao P. Azeliragon inhibits PAK1 and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of AKT inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 948:175703. [PMID: 37028543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175703] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy for which there is currently no effective treatment strategy. We previously reported that p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is aberrantly expressed in pancreatic cancer patients and that targeted inhibition of PAK1 significantly suppressed pancreatic cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we identified the drug azeliragon as a novel inhibitor of PAK1. Cell experiments revealed that azeliragon abolished PAK1 activation and promoted apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Azeliragon was also found to significantly inhibit tumor growth in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model; when combined with afuresertib, an oral pan-AKT kinase inhibitor, azeliragon exhibited a strong synergistic effect against pancreatic cancer cells. Interestingly, afuresertib enhanced the antitumor efficacy of azeliragon in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, our findings revealed previously unreported aspects of the drug azeliragon, and identified a novel combination strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Kong
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong, China
| | - Lingxia Zhu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Fan
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Ji
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunli Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueting Cai
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunping Hu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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8
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Liu YH, Hu CM, Hsu YS, Lee WH. Interplays of glucose metabolism and KRAS mutation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:817. [PMID: 36151074 PMCID: PMC9508091 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05259-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and deadliest cancer worldwide. The primary reasons for this are the lack of early detection methods and targeted therapy. Emerging evidence highlights the metabolic addiction of cancer cells as a potential target to combat PDAC. Oncogenic mutations of KRAS are the most common triggers that drive glucose uptake and utilization via metabolic reprogramming to support PDAC growth. Conversely, high glucose levels in the pancreatic microenvironment trigger genome instability and de novo mutations, including KRASG12D, in pancreatic cells through metabolic reprogramming. Here, we review convergent and diverse metabolic networks related to oncogenic KRAS mutations between PDAC initiation and progression, emphasizing the interplay among oncogenic mutations, glucose metabolic reprogramming, and the tumor microenvironment. Recognizing cancer-related glucose metabolism will provide a better strategy to prevent and treat the high risk PDAC population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Huei Liu
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.411508.90000 0004 0572 9415Department of Medical Genetics and Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Mei Hu
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Sheng Hsu
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hwa Lee
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
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9
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Gillson J, Abd El-Aziz YS, Leck LYW, Jansson PJ, Pavlakis N, Samra JS, Mittal A, Sahni S. Autophagy: A Key Player in Pancreatic Cancer Progression and a Potential Drug Target. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3528. [PMID: 35884592 PMCID: PMC9315706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143528] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is known to have the lowest survival outcomes among all major cancers, and unfortunately, this has only been marginally improved over last four decades. The innate characteristics of pancreatic cancer include an aggressive and fast-growing nature from powerful driver mutations, a highly defensive tumor microenvironment and the upregulation of advantageous survival pathways such as autophagy. Autophagy involves targeted degradation of proteins and organelles to provide a secondary source of cellular supplies to maintain cell growth. Elevated autophagic activity in pancreatic cancer is recognized as a major survival pathway as it provides a plethora of support for tumors by supplying vital resources, maintaining tumour survival under the stressful microenvironment and promoting other pathways involved in tumour progression and metastasis. The combination of these features is unique to pancreatic cancer and present significant resistance to chemotherapeutic strategies, thus, indicating a need for further investigation into therapies targeting this crucial pathway. This review will outline the autophagy pathway and its regulation, in addition to the genetic landscape and tumor microenvironment that contribute to pancreatic cancer severity. Moreover, this review will also discuss the mechanisms of novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit autophagy and how they could be used to suppress tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Gillson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Yomna S. Abd El-Aziz
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Lionel Y. W. Leck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Patric J. Jansson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nick Pavlakis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Jaswinder S. Samra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anubhav Mittal
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
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10
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Kabiraj L, Kundu A. Potential role of microRNAs in pancreatic cancer manifestation: a review. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2022; 34:26. [PMID: 35718815 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-022-00127-2] [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: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are different from normal cells in regard to phenotypic and functional expression. Cancer is the outcome of aberrant gene expression affecting various cellular signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (MiRs) are small, non-coding RNAs regulating the expression of various protein-coding genes post-transcriptionally and are known to play critical roles in the complicated cellular pathways leading to cell growth, proliferation, development, and apoptosis. MiRs are involved in various cancer-related pathways and function both as tumor suppressor and cancer-causing genes. There is a need for significant biomarkers, and better prognostication of response to a particular treatment and liquid biopsy could be useful to appraise such potential biomarkers. This review has focused on the involvement of anomalous expression of miRs in human pancreatic cancer and the investigation of miR-based biomarkers for disease diagnosis and better therapeutic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kabiraj
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, EM-4, Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, 700091, India
| | - Atreyee Kundu
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, EM-4, Sector-V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, 700091, India.
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11
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Ulanja MB, Moody AE, Beutler BD, Antwi-Amoabeng D, Rahman GA, Alese OB. Early-onset pancreatic cancer: a review of molecular mechanisms, management, and survival. Oncotarget 2022; 13:828-841. [PMID: 35720978 PMCID: PMC9200435 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) - defined as pancreatic cancer diagnosed before the age of 50 years - is associated with a poor prognosis as compared to later-onset pancreatic cancer (LOPC). Emerging evidence suggests that EOPC may exhibit a genetic signature and tumor biology that is distinct from that of LOPC. We review genetic mutations that are more prevalent in EOPC relative to LOPC and discuss the potential impact of these mutations on treatment and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using PubMed and Medline, the following terms were searched and relevant citations assessed: "early onset pancreatic cancer," "late onset pancreatic cancer," "pancreatic cancer," "pancreatic cancer genes," and "pancreatic cancer targeted therapy." RESULTS Mutations in CDKN2, FOXC2, and SMAD4 are significantly more common in EOPC as compared to LOPC. In addition, limited data suggest that PI3KCA mutations are more frequently observed in EOPC as compared to LOPC. KRAS mutations are relatively rare in EOPC. CONCLUSIONS Genetic mutations associated with EOPC are distinct from those of LOPC. The preponderance of the evidence suggest that poor outcomes in EOPC are related both to advanced stage of presentation and unique tumor biology. The molecular and genetic features of EOPC warrant further investigation in order to optimize management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B. Ulanja
- Christus Ochsner Saint Patrick Hospital, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USA
| | - Alastair E. Moody
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Bryce D. Beutler
- Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Ganiyu A. Rahman
- Department of Surgery, University of Cape Coast, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Olatunji B. Alese
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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12
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Richards KE, Xiao W, Hill R. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Confer Gemcitabine Resistance to Pancreatic Cancer Cells through PTEN-Targeting miRNAs in Exosomes. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112812. [PMID: 35681792 PMCID: PMC9179363 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Previous studies have shown that cancer associated fibroblasts exposed to chemotherapy release exosomes which promote chemoresistance in recipient cells. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for this has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that gemcitabine treatment caused fibroblasts to release exosome which contain PTEN-targeting miRNAs. These findings shed light on how fibroblasts exposed to chemotherapy promote tumor growth and drug resistance. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Even though the poor prognosis of PDAC is often attributed to late diagnosis, patients with an early diagnosis who undergo tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy still show tumor recurrence, highlighting a need to develop therapies which can overcome chemoresistance. Chemoresistance has been linked to the high expression of microRNAs (miRs), such as miR-21, within tumor cells. Tumor cells can collect miRs through the uptake of miR-containing lipid extracellular vesicles called exosomes. These exosomes are secreted in high numbers from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment during gemcitabine treatment and can contribute to cell proliferation and chemoresistance. Here, we show a novel mechanism in which CAF-derived exosomes may promote proliferation and chemoresistance, in part, through suppression of the tumor suppressor PTEN. We identified five microRNAs: miR-21, miR-181a, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-92a, that significantly increased in number within the CAF exosomes secreted during gemcitabine treatment which target PTEN. Furthermore, we found that CAF exosomes suppressed PTEN expression in vitro and that treatment with the exosome inhibitor GW4869 blocked PTEN suppression in vivo. Collectively, these findings highlight a mechanism through which the PTEN expression loss, often seen in PDAC, may be attained and lend support to investigations into the use of exosome inhibitors as potential therapeutics to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Richards
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 45556, USA;
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46617, USA
| | - Weikun Xiao
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute of Transformative Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA;
| | - Reginald Hill
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute of Transformative Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA;
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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14
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Fischer T, Hartmann O, Reissland M, Prieto-Garcia C, Klann K, Pahor N, Schülein-Völk C, Baluapuri A, Polat B, Abazari A, Gerhard-Hartmann E, Kopp HG, Essmann F, Rosenfeldt M, Münch C, Flentje M, Diefenbacher ME. PTEN mutant non-small cell lung cancer require ATM to suppress pro-apoptotic signalling and evade radiotherapy. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:50. [PMID: 35477555 PMCID: PMC9044846 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00778-7] [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: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, carriers of certain genetic alterations are prone to failure. One such factor frequently mutated, is the tumor suppressor PTEN. These tumors are supposed to be more resistant to radiation, chemo- and immunotherapy. Results We demonstrate that loss of PTEN led to altered expression of transcriptional programs which directly regulate therapy resistance, resulting in establishment of radiation resistance. While PTEN-deficient tumor cells were not dependent on DNA-PK for IR resistance nor activated ATR during IR, they showed a significant dependence for the DNA damage kinase ATM. Pharmacologic inhibition of ATM, via KU-60019 and AZD1390 at non-toxic doses, restored and even synergized with IR in PTEN-deficient human and murine NSCLC cells as well in a multicellular organotypic ex vivo tumor model. Conclusion PTEN tumors are addicted to ATM to detect and repair radiation induced DNA damage. This creates an exploitable bottleneck. At least in cellulo and ex vivo we show that low concentration of ATM inhibitor is able to synergise with IR to treat PTEN-deficient tumors in genetically well-defined IR resistant lung cancer models.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00778-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Fischer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Hartmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Reissland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cristian Prieto-Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Klann
- Protein Quality Control Group, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nikolett Pahor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Apoorva Baluapuri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Systems Biology Group, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bülent Polat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Arya Abazari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Gerhard-Hartmann
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute for Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Frank Essmann
- Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mathias Rosenfeldt
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute for Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Protein Quality Control Group, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael Flentje
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus E Diefenbacher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Protein Stability and Cancer Group, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, Würzburg, Germany. .,Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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15
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Abstract
Complex multicellular organisms have evolved specific mechanisms to replenish cells in homeostasis and during repair. Here, we discuss how emerging technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing) challenge the concept that tissue renewal is fueled by unidirectional differentiation from a resident stem cell. We now understand that cell plasticity, i.e., cells adaptively changing differentiation state or identity, is a central tissue renewal mechanism. For example, mature cells can access an evolutionarily conserved program (paligenosis) to reenter the cell cycle and regenerate damaged tissue. Most tissues lack dedicated stem cells and rely on plasticity to regenerate lost cells. Plasticity benefits multicellular organisms, yet it also carries risks. For one, when long-lived cells undergo paligenotic, cyclical proliferation and redif-ferentiation, they can accumulate and propagate acquired mutations that activate oncogenes and increase the potential for developing cancer. Lastly, we propose a new framework for classifying patterns of cell proliferation in homeostasis and regeneration, with stem cells representing just one of the diverse methods that adult tissues employ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W. Brown
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Charles J. Cho
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA,Current affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jason C. Mills
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA,Current affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Departments of Pathology and Immunology and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA,Current affiliation: Departments of Medicine, Pathology and Immunology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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16
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Rajpurohit T, Bhattacharya S. Moving Towards Dawn: KRas Signaling and Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2022; 15:904-928. [PMID: 35088684 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220128161647] [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: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
"Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)" is robust, nearly clueless, and all-around deadly among all tumors. Below 10 %, the general 5-year endurance period has remained adamantly unaltered in the last 30 years, regardless of enormous clinical and therapeutic endeavors. The yearly number of deaths is more than the number of recently analyzed cases. Not a classic one, but "Carbohydrate Antigen CA19- 9" remains the prevailing tool for diagnosis. MicroRNAs and non-invasive techniques are now incorporated for the effective prognosis of PDAC than just CA19-9. Mutated "Rat sarcoma virus Ras" conformation "V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog KRas" is 95 % accountable for PDAC, and its active (GTP-bound) formation activates signaling cascade comprising "Rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma Raf"/"Mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK"/ "Extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK" with "Phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3K"/ "protein kinase B Akt"/ "mammalian target of rapamycin mTOR" pathways. KRas has acquired the label of 'undruggable' since the crosstalk in the nexus of pathways compensates for Raf and PI3K signaling cascade blocking. It is arduous to totally regulate KRascoordinated PDAC with traditional medicaments like "gemcitabine GEM" plus nabpaclitaxel/ FOLFIRINOX. For long-haul accomplishments aiming at KRas, future endeavors should be directed to combinatorial methodologies to adequately block KRas pathways at different standpoints. Currently they are contributing to healing PDAC. In this review article, we outline the function of KRas in carcinogenesis in PDAC, its signaling cascade, former techniques utilized in hindering Kras, current and future possibilities for targeting Kras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Rajpurohit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Sankha Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
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17
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Li J, Wei T, Zhang J, Liang T. Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Review of Their Genetic Characteristics and Mouse Models. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215296. [PMID: 34771461 PMCID: PMC8582516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with the lowest survival rate. Little progress has been achieved in prolonging the survival for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Hence, special attention should be paid to pre-cancerous lesions, for instance, an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Here, we reviewed its genetic characteristics and the mouse models involving mutations in specific pathways, and updated our current perception of how this lesion develops into a precursor of invasive cancer. Abstract The intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is attracting research attention because of its increasing incidence and proven potential to progress into invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this review, we summarized the key signaling pathways or protein complexes (GPCR, TGF, SWI/SNF, WNT, and PI3K) that appear to be involved in IPMN pathogenesis. In addition, we collected information regarding all the genetic mouse models that mimic the human IPMN phenotype with specific immunohistochemistry techniques. The mouse models enable us to gain insight into the complex mechanism of the origin of IPMN, revealing that it can be developed from both acinar cells and duct cells according to different models. Furthermore, recent genomic studies describe the potential mechanism by which heterogeneous IPMN gives rise to malignant carcinoma through sequential, branch-off, or de novo approaches. The most intractable problem is that the risk of malignancy persists to some extent even if the primary IPMN is excised with a perfect margin, calling for the re-evaluation and improvement of diagnostic, pre-emptive, and therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China; (J.L.); (T.W.); (J.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China; (J.L.); (T.W.); (J.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China; (J.L.); (T.W.); (J.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, China; (J.L.); (T.W.); (J.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for the Study of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310000, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-571-87236688
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18
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Targeting PI3K Pathway in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Rationale and Progress. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174434. [PMID: 34503244 PMCID: PMC8430624 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains among the deadliest solid tumors that remain treatment-refractory and show a dismal prognosis. More than 90% of PDAC tumors harbor mutations in the K-Ras that exert a strong pro-tumorigenic effect by activating several downstream effector pathways, including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt. The role of frequently activated PI3K/Akt pathway in promoting PDAC aggressiveness is well established. Therapeutic approaches targeting PI3K and downstream signaling components in different cellular compartments, including tumor, stromal and immune cells, have directly impacted the tumor burden in this cancer type. Our previous work has demonstrated that targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway reduced tumor growth and improved survival in the genetic mouse model of PDAC. Here, we discuss the significance of targeting PI3K signaling and the biological impact of PI3K inhibition in modulating the tumor-stromal immune crosstalk within the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, this review updates on the current challenges involving the therapeutic implications of targeting this pathway in PDAC.
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19
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Sun T, Peng H, Mao W, Ma L, Liu H, Mai J, Jiao L. Autophagy-mediated negative feedback attenuates the oncogenic activity of YAP in pancreatic cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3634-3645. [PMID: 34512171 PMCID: PMC8416727 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal malignancy in humans, and new therapeutic targets are urgently needed. Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays a significant role in cancer progression. Autophagy is also closely associated with various human cancers. However, the interplay between YAP and autophagy in PDAC remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that YAP was upregulated and activated in PDAC. Further analysis revealed that there is a YAP-autophagy feedback loop in pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, YAP activates autophagy by promoting Atg5 transcription via TEAD1-mediated binding, while autophagy negatively regulates YAP through autophagic degradation. The hyperactivation of YAP in PDAC unbalances the YAP-autophagy circuit and promotes cancer progression. Inhibition of autophagy enhances the oncogenic activity of YAP in PDAC. The autophagy activator rapamycin promotes the antitumor effect of verteporfin, a YAP inhibitor. Therefore, our study elucidated the interaction between YAP and autophagy in PDAC and our results suggest that targeting the YAP-autophagy circuit may be a new therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Wenhao Mao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Liwei Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Hongyang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jia Mai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lin Jiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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20
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Tamura T, Kodama T, Sato K, Murai K, Yoshioka T, Shigekawa M, Yamada R, Hikita H, Sakamori R, Akita H, Eguchi H, Johnson RL, Yokoi H, Mukoyama M, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Dysregulation of PI3K and Hippo signaling pathways synergistically induces chronic pancreatitis via CTGF upregulation. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143414. [PMID: 34032634 DOI: 10.1172/jci143414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of PI3K and Hippo signaling in chronic pancreatitis (CP) pathogenesis is unclear. Therefore, we assessed the involvement of these pathways in CP by examining the PI3K and Hippo signaling components PTEN and SAV1, respectively. We observed significant decreases in pancreatic PTEN and SAV1 levels in 2 murine CP models: repeated cerulein injection and pancreatic ductal ligation. Additionally, pancreas-specific deletion of Pten and Sav1 (DKO) induced CP in mice. Pancreatic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was markedly upregulated in both CP models and DKO mice, and pancreatic CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (CEBPA) expression was downregulated in the CP models. Interestingly, in pancreatic acinar cells (PACs), CEBPA knockdown reduced PTEN and SAV1 and increased CTGF levels in vitro. Furthermore, CEBPA knockdown in PACs induced acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and activation of cocultured macrophages and pancreatic stellate cells. These results were mitigated by CTGF inhibition. CP in DKO mice was also ameliorated by Ctgf gene deletion, and cerulein-induced CP was alleviated by antibody-mediated CTGF neutralization. Finally, we observed significantly decreased PTEN, SAV1, and CEBPA and increased CTGF levels in human CP tissues compared with nonpancreatitis tissues. Taken together, our results indicate that dysregulation of PI3K and Hippo signaling induces CP via CTGF upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and
| | | | | | - Hirofumi Akita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Randy L Johnson
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hideki Yokoi
- Department of Nephrology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Mukoyama
- Department of Nephrology, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto, Japan
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Encarnación-Rosado J, Kimmelman AC. Harnessing metabolic dependencies in pancreatic cancers. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:482-492. [PMID: 33742165 PMCID: PMC8249349 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00431-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of <10%. The tumour microenvironment (TME) of PDAC is characterized by excessive fibrosis and deposition of extracellular matrix, termed desmoplasia. This unique TME leads to high interstitial pressure, vascular collapse and low nutrient and oxygen diffusion. Together, these factors contribute to the unique biology and therapeutic resistance of this deadly tumour. To thrive in this hostile environment, PDAC cells adapt by using non-canonical metabolic pathways and rely on metabolic scavenging pathways such as autophagy and macropinocytosis. Here, we review the metabolic pathways that PDAC use to support their growth in the setting of an austere TME. Understanding how PDAC tumours rewire their metabolism and use scavenging pathways under environmental stressors might enable the identification of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alec C Kimmelman
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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22
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Nisar M, Paracha RZ, Arshad I, Adil S, Zeb S, Hanif R, Rafiq M, Hussain Z. Integrated Analysis of Microarray and RNA-Seq Data for the Identification of Hub Genes and Networks Involved in the Pancreatic Cancer. Front Genet 2021; 12:663787. [PMID: 34262595 PMCID: PMC8273913 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.663787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is the seventh most fatal malignancy, with more than 90% mortality rate within the first year of diagnosis. Its treatment can be improved the identification of specific therapeutic targets and their relevant pathways. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify cancer specific biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and their associated pathways involved in the PaCa progression. RNA-seq and microarray datasets were obtained from public repositories such as the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differential gene expression (DE) analysis of data was performed to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PaCa cells in comparison to the normal cells. Gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the modules co-expressed genes, which are strongly associated with PaCa and as well as the identification of hub genes in the modules. The key underlaying pathways were obtained from the enrichment analysis of hub genes and studied in the context of PaCa progression. The significant pathways, hub genes, and their expression profile were validated against The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, and key biomarkers and therapeutic targets with hub genes were determined. Important hub genes identified included ITGA1, ITGA2, ITGB1, ITGB3, MET, LAMB1, VEGFA, PTK2, and TGFβ1. Enrichment analysis characterizes the involvement of hub genes in multiple pathways. Important ones that are determined are ECM–receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways. The interaction of overexpressed surface proteins of these pathways with extracellular molecules initiates multiple signaling cascades including stress fiber and lamellipodia formation, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and Wnt signaling pathways. Identified biomarkers may have a strong influence on the PaCa early stage development and progression. Further, analysis of these pathways and hub genes can help in the identification of putative therapeutic targets and development of effective therapies for PaCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryum Nisar
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rehan Zafar Paracha
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Arshad
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sidra Adil
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sabaoon Zeb
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rumeza Hanif
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences-ASAB, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mehak Rafiq
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zamir Hussain
- Research Centre for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
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23
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Tao X, Xiang H, Pan Y, Shang D, Guo J, Gao G, Xiao GG. Pancreatitis initiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Pathophysiology explaining clinical evidence. Pharmacol Res 2021; 168:105595. [PMID: 33823219 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant lethal disease due to its asymptomatic at its early lesion of the disease and drug resistance. Target therapy associated with molecular pathways so far seems not to produce reasonable outcomes. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation-initiated tumorigenesis may be helpful for development of an effective therapy of the disease. A line of studies showed that pancreatic tumorigenesis was resulted from pancreatitis, which was caused synergistically by various pancreatic cells. This review focuses on those players and their possible clinic implications, such as exocrine acinar cells, ductal cells, and various stromal cells, including pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, adipocytes and endothelial cells, working together with each other in an inflammation-mediated microenvironment governed by a myriad of cellular signaling networks towards PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Tao
- Department of Pharmacology at School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Hong Xiang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Department of Pharmacology at School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Junchao Guo
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gary Guishan Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology at School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China; The UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Functional Genomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.
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24
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Comparative Analysis of Stk11/Lkb1 versus Pten Deficiency in Lung Adenocarcinoma Induced by CRISPR/Cas9. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050974. [PMID: 33652656 PMCID: PMC7956254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050974] [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: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focused on STK11, PTEN, KRAS, and TP53, which are often found to be mutated in lung cancer. We compared Stk11 and Pten implication in lung cancer in combination with loss of Trp53 and gain of function of Kras in a CRISPR/Cas9 mouse model. Mice with loss of Stk11, Trp53, and KrasG12D mutation (SKT) reached human endpoint at around four months post-initiation. In comparison, mice with loss of Pten, Trp53, and KrasG12D mutation (PKT) survived six months or longer post-initiation. Pathological examination revealed an increase in proliferation in SKT deficient lung epithelia compared to PKT. This difference was independent of Pten loss, indicating that loss of Pten is dispensable for cell proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, tumors with loss of Stk11, Trp53, and KrasG12D mutation had a significantly higher progression rate, monitored by PET/MRI scanning, compared to mice with loss of Pten, Trp53, and KrasG12D mutation, revealing that mutations in Stk11 are essential for adenocarcinoma progression. Overall, by using the CRISPR/Cas9 mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma, we showed that mutations in Stk11 are a key driver, whereas loss of Pten is dispensable for adenocarcinoma progression.
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Tian J, Zhu Y, Rao M, Cai Y, Lu Z, Zou D, Peng X, Ying P, Zhang M, Niu S, Li Y, Zhong R, Chang J, Miao X. N 6-methyladenosine mRNA methylation of PIK3CB regulates AKT signalling to promote PTEN-deficient pancreatic cancer progression. Gut 2020; 69:2180-2192. [PMID: 32312789 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-320179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. Thus far, most drugs have failed to significantly improve patient survival. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays an important role in the progression of PDAC, but its aberrant regulation driven by germline variants in human diseases remains unclear. DESIGN We first performed an exome-wide association analysis in 518 PDAC patients with overall survival and replicated in an independent population containing 552 PDAC patients. Then, a series of biochemical experiments in vitro and in vivo were conducted to investigate potential mechanisms of the candidate variant and its target gene PIK3CB underlying the PDAC progression. Moreover, the PIK3CB-selective inhibitor KIN-193 was used to block PDAC tumour growth. RESULTS We identified a missense variant rs142933486 in PIK3CB that is significantly associated with the overall survival of PDAC by reducing the PIK3CB m6A level, which facilitated its mRNA and protein expression levels mediated by the m6A 'writer' complex (METTL13/METTL14/WTAP) and the m6A 'reader' YTHDF2. The upregulation of PIK3CB is widely found in PDAC tumour tissues and significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of PDAC, especially in PTEN-deficient patients. We further demonstrated that PIK3CB overexpression substantially enhanced the proliferation and migration abilities of PTEN-deficient PDAC cells and activated AKT signalling pathway. Remarkably, KIN-193, a PIK3CB-selective inhibitor, is shown to serve as an effective anticancer agent for blocking PTEN-deficient PDAC. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate aberrant m6A homoeostasis as an oncogenic mechanism in PDAC and highlight the potential of PIK3CB as a therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Meilin Rao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Yimin Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Zequn Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Danyi Zou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiating Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Pingting Ying
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Siyuan Niu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiang Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Miao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
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26
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Expression and clinical correlation of Survivin and PTEN in gastric cancer patients. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:297. [PMID: 33101491 PMCID: PMC7576991 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reports on the correlation between the expression of Survivin/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) proteins and clinical factors in gastric cancer (GC) are varied, and the sample sizes were also not sufficient. The present study aimed to detect the expression of Survivin and PTEN proteins in GC patients on the basis of a greater number of specimens and to analyze the correlation with clinical features and survival. The results revealed that the Survivin expression rates in GC, normal tissues and metastatic lymph nodes were 72% (232/322), 5% (6/120) and 80% (36/45), respectively, while the PTEN expression rates were 34% (109/322), 92.5% (111/120) and 24.4% (11/45), respectively, and the differences between cancer and normal tissue or metastatic lymph nodes were significant for both proteins (P<0.05). The expression of Survivin was significantly associated with gross type, depth of invasion, distant metastasis, tumor, necrosis and metastasis (TNM) stage and vascular invasion, while PTEN expression was predominantly associated with age, tumor size, invasion depth, TNM stage and lymphatic invasion in GC patients (P<0.05). The expression of both was associated with postoperative metastasis and metastatic site (P=0.007 and P=0.011 for Survivin, and P=0.002 and P=0.005 for PTEN). There was a negative association between the expression levels of Survivin and PTEN (P=0.001, r=−0.524). The expression levels of both were also associated with prognosis. The expression of Survivin and PTEN protein exhibit opposing trends in GC, which may indicate adverse biological effects in the occurrence of GC. The Survivin and PTEN expression levels are likely to be an important molecular event in gastric tumorigenesis and may be considered as molecular markers of GC progression and reliable prognostic indicators of GC.
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27
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Beel S, Kolloch L, Apken LH, Jürgens L, Bolle A, Sudhof N, Ghosh S, Wardelmann E, Meisterernst M, Steinestel K, Oeckinghaus A. κB-Ras and Ral GTPases regulate acinar to ductal metaplasia during pancreatic adenocarcinoma development and pancreatitis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3409. [PMID: 32641778 PMCID: PMC7343838 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with high mortality and therapy resistance. Here, we show that low expression of κB-Ras GTPases is frequently detected in PDAC and correlates with higher histologic grade. In a model of KRasG12D-driven PDAC, loss of κB-Ras accelerates tumour development and shortens median survival. κB-Ras deficiency promotes acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) during tumour initiation as well as tumour progression through intrinsic effects on proliferation and invasion. κB-Ras proteins are also required for acinar regeneration after pancreatitis, demonstrating a general role in control of plasticity. Molecularly, upregulation of Ral GTPase activity and Sox9 expression underlies the observed phenotypes, identifying a previously unrecognized function of Ral signalling in ADM. Our results provide evidence for a tumour suppressive role of κB-Ras proteins and highlight low κB-Ras levels and consequent loss of Ral control as risk factors, thus emphasizing the necessity for therapeutic options that allow interference with Ral-driven signalling. The molecular mechanisms of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) in the course of pancreatitis and cancer development are unclear. Here, the authors show that loss of κB-Ras and consequent Ral activation promotes tumour initiation and progression through persistent ADM and enhanced cell proliferation
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Beel
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lina Kolloch
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa H Apken
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Bolle
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nadine Sudhof
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Meisterernst
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Konrad Steinestel
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrea Oeckinghaus
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.
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28
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Salaymeh Y, Farago M, Sebban S, Shalom B, Pikarsky E, Katzav S. Vav1 and mutant K-Ras synergize in the early development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in mice. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:e202000661. [PMID: 32277014 PMCID: PMC7156281 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the contribution of Vav1, a hematopoietic signal transducer, to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, we generated transgenic mouse lines expressing, Vav1, K-RasG12D, or both K-RasG12D and Vav1 in pancreatic acinar cells. Co-expression of Vav1 and K-RasG12D synergistically enhanced acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) formation, far exceeding the number of lesions developed in K-RasG12D mice. Mice expressing only Vav1 did not develop ADM. Moreover, the incidence of PDAC in K-RasG12D/Vav1 was significantly higher than in K-RasG12D mice. Discontinuing Vav1 expression in K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice elicited a marked regression of malignant lesions in the pancreas, demonstrating Vav1 is required for generation and maintenance of ADM. Rac1-GTP levels in the K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice pancreas clearly demonstrated an increase in Rac1 activity. Treatment of K-RasG12D and K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice with azathioprine, an immune-suppressor drug which inhibits Vav1's activity as a GDP/GTP exchange factor, dramatically reduced the number of malignant lesions. These results suggest that Vav1 plays a role in the development of PDAC when co-expressed with K-RasG12D via its activity as a GEF for Rac1GTPase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaser Salaymeh
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marganit Farago
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shulamit Sebban
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Batel Shalom
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Pikarsky
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research and Department of Pathology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shulamit Katzav
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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29
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Michalopoulou E, Auciello FR, Bulusu V, Strachan D, Campbell AD, Tait-Mulder J, Karim SA, Morton JP, Sansom OJ, Kamphorst JJ. Macropinocytosis Renders a Subset of Pancreatic Tumor Cells Resistant to mTOR Inhibition. Cell Rep 2020; 30:2729-2742.e4. [PMID: 32101748 PMCID: PMC7043007 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) features a near-universal mutation in KRAS. Additionally, the tumor suppressor PTEN is lost in ∼10% of patients, and in mouse models, this dramatically accelerates tumor progression. While oncogenic KRAS and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) cause divergent metabolic phenotypes individually, how they synergize to promote tumor metabolic alterations and dependencies remains unknown. We show that in KRAS-driven murine PDAC cells, loss of Pten strongly enhances both mTOR signaling and macropinocytosis. Protein scavenging alleviates sensitivity to mTOR inhibition by rescuing AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 and consequently cell proliferation. Combined inhibition of mTOR and lysosomal processing of internalized protein eliminates the macropinocytosis-mediated resistance. Our results indicate that mTORC2, rather than mTORC1, is an important regulator of protein scavenging and that protein-mediated resistance could explain the lack of effectiveness of mTOR inhibitors in certain genetic backgrounds. Concurrent inhibition of mTOR and protein scavenging might be a valuable therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdokia Michalopoulou
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Francesca R Auciello
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Vinay Bulusu
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - David Strachan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Andrew D Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jacqueline Tait-Mulder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Saadia A Karim
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Jurre J Kamphorst
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
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30
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Vitiello GA, Cohen DJ, Miller G. Harnessing the Microbiome for Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:670-676. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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31
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The Use of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models for Studying the Function of Mutated Driver Genes in Pancreatic Cancer. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091369. [PMID: 31480737 PMCID: PMC6780401 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is often treatment-resistant, with the emerging standard of care, gemcitabine, affording only a few months of incrementally-deteriorating survival. Reflecting on the history of failed clinical trials, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) in oncology research provides the inspiration to discover new treatments for pancreatic cancer that come from better knowledge of pathogenesis mechanisms, not only of the derangements in and consequently acquired capabilities of the cancer cells, but also in the aberrant microenvironment that becomes established to support, sustain, and enhance neoplastic progression. On the other hand, the existing mutational profile of pancreatic cancer guides our understanding of the disease, but leaves many important questions of pancreatic cancer biology unanswered. Over the past decade, a series of transgenic and gene knockout mouse modes have been produced that develop pancreatic cancers with features reflective of metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in humans. Animal models of PDAC are likely to be essential to understanding the genetics and biology of the disease and may provide the foundation for advances in early diagnosis and treatment.
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Lanfredini S, Thapa A, O'Neill E. RAS in pancreatic cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:961-972. [PMID: 31341034 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The pancreas is a gland composed mainly by endocrine and exocrine cells, giving rise to three main tumour types. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour or PNET arise from the endocrine portion of the pancreas. On the contrary, pancreatic exocrine neoplasms include pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and acinar cell carcinoma. PDAC is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. It has been shown that less than 3% of PDAC patients have an overall survival of up to 5 years in the U.K. This mainly arises since the majority of patients diagnosed with PDAC present with advanced unresectable disease, which is highly resistant to all forms of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Activating mutations of an isoform of the RAS protein, KRAS, are found in almost all PDAC cases and occur during early stages of malignant transformation. KRAS mutations play a critical role as they are involved in both initiating and maintaining PDAC development. The interaction of RAS with GDP/GTP along with its recruitment to the membrane affects transduction of its activating signals to downstream effectors. In this review, we aim to summarise different mutations of RAS and their prevalence in pancreatic cancer along with other RAS-induced tumours. In addition, we briefly discuss the genetically engineered mouse models that have been developed to study KRAS-mutated adenocarcinomas in the pancreas. These provide an opportunity to also address the importance of targeting RAS for better treatment response in PDAC patients along with the challenges incurred herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Lanfredini
- Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
| | - Asmita Thapa
- Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K
| | - Eric O'Neill
- Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.
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Ruckert MT, de Andrade PV, Santos VS, Silveira VS. Protein tyrosine phosphatases: promising targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2571-2592. [PMID: 30982078 PMCID: PMC11105579 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03095-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and is associated with a very poor prognosis. KRAS driver mutations occur in approximately 95% of PDAC cases and cause the activation of several signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Regulation of these signaling pathways is orchestrated by feedback loops mediated by the balance between protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), leading to activation or inhibition of its downstream targets. The human PTPome comprises 125 members, and these proteins are classified into three distinct families according to their structure. Since PTP activity description, it has become clear that they have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on cancer-associated signaling processes and that deregulation of PTP function is closely associated with tumorigenesis. Several PTPs have displayed either tumor suppressor or oncogenic characteristics during the development and progression of PDAC. In this sense, PTPs have been presented as promising candidates for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer, and many PTP inhibitors have been developed since these proteins were first associated with cancer. Nevertheless, some challenges persist regarding the development of effective and safe methods to target these molecules and deliver these drugs. In this review, we discuss the role of PTPs in tumorigenesis as tumor suppressor and oncogenic proteins. We have focused on the differential expression of these proteins in PDAC, as well as their clinical implications and possible targeting for pharmacological inhibition in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Tannús Ruckert
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pamela Viani de Andrade
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Verena Silva Santos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Silva Silveira
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Pancreatic Ductal Organoids React Kras Dependent to the Removal of Tumor Suppressive Roadblocks. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:2079742. [PMID: 31236113 PMCID: PMC6545725 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2079742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still the Achilles heel in modern oncology, with an increasing incidence accompanied by a persisting high mortality. The developmental process of PDAC is thought to be stepwise via precursor lesions and sequential accumulation of mutations. Thereby, current sequencing studies recapitulate this genetic heterogeneity in PDAC and show besides a handful of driver mutations (KRAS, TP53) a plethora of passenger mutations that allow to define subtypes. However, modeling the mutations of interest and their effects is still challenging. Interestingly, organoids have the potential to recapitulate in vitro, the in vivo characteristics of the tissue they originate from. Here, we could establish and develop tools allowing us to isolate, culture, and genetically modify ductal mouse organoids. Transferred to known effectors in the IPMN-PDAC sequence, we could reveal significantly increased proliferative and self-renewal capacities for PTEN and RNF43 deficiency in the context of oncogenic KRASG12D in mouse pancreatic organoids. Overall, we were able to obtain promising data centering ductal organoids in the focus of future PDAC research.
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Bazzichetto C, Conciatori F, Pallocca M, Falcone I, Fanciulli M, Cognetti F, Milella M, Ciuffreda L. PTEN as a Prognostic/Predictive Biomarker in Cancer: An Unfulfilled Promise? Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040435. [PMID: 30925702 PMCID: PMC6520939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying putative biomarkers of clinical outcomes in cancer is crucial for successful enrichment, and for the selection of patients who are the most likely to benefit from a specific therapeutic approach. Indeed, current research in personalized cancer therapy focuses on the possibility of identifying biomarkers that predict prognosis, sensitivity or resistance to therapies. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates several crucial cell functions such as proliferation, survival, genomic stability and cell motility through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Despite its undisputed role as a tumor suppressor, assessment of PTEN status in sporadic human tumors has yet to provide clinically robust prognostic, predictive or therapeutic information. This is possibly due to the exceptionally complex regulation of PTEN function, which involves genetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational events. This review shows a brief summary of the regulation and function of PTEN and discusses its controversial aspects as a prognostic/predictive biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Matteo Pallocca
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, Verona 37126, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
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Tian F, Wang J, Zhang Z, Yang J. miR-107 modulates chondrocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix synthesis by targeting PTEN. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2019; 12:488-497. [PMID: 31933853 PMCID: PMC6945102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic degenerative disease, and the chondrocyte is reported to be a key player in OA progression. Increasing evidence has verified the regulatory role of miRNAs in OA. However, the function and underlying mechanism of miR-107 in cartilage function are still not clarified. METHODS Abundance of miR-107 and PTEN mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. Relative protein levels of PTEN, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, aggrecan, collagen II, MMP-13, and MMP-9 were measured by western blotting (WB). A biological web server Targetscan was used to predict the putative binding sites between miR-107 and PTEN, and luciferase reporter assay was employed to further verify the true interplay between them. Cell proliferative or apoptotic activity was assessed by MTT or flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. RESULTS miR-107 was downregulated and PTEN was upregulated in OA tissues. PTEN could be negatively regulated by miR-107 by targeted interaction. Interference of PTEN induced proliferation of C28/I2 cells, but inhibited cell apoptosis. Restoration of PTEN reversed miR-107-stimulated cell proliferation and miR-107-inhibited apoptosis in C28/I2 cells. Furthermore, enforced abundance of miR-107 promoted the expressions of aggrecan and collagen II protein, while it attenuated MMP-13 and MMP-9 expression in C28/I2 cells, which was overturned by PTEN restoration. CONCLUSION miR-107 induced chondrocyte growth and ameliorated cartilage degradation by targeting to PTEN, providing a potential therapeutic target for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Tian
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junhu Wang
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhanhua Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
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Kang YW, Lee JE, Jung KH, Son MK, Shin SM, Kim SJ, Fang Z, Yan HH, Park JH, Han B, Cheon MJ, Woo MG, Lim JH, Kim YS, Hong SS. KRAS targeting antibody synergizes anti-cancer activity of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 438:174-186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Li W, Zhang T, Guo L, Huang L. Regulation of PTEN expression by noncoding RNAs. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:223. [PMID: 30217221 PMCID: PMC6138891 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) triggers a battery of intracellular signaling pathways, especially PI3K/Akt, playing important roles in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, such as cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, cardiovascular dysfunction and so on. Therefore PTEN might be a biomarker for various diseases, and targeting the abnormal expression level of PTEN is anticipated to offer novel therapeutic avenues. Recently, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to regulate protein expression, and it is definite that PTEN expression is controlled by ncRNAs epigenetically or posttranscriptionally as well. Herein, we provide a review on current understandings of the regulation of PTEN by ncRNAs, which could contribute to the development of novel approaches to the diseases with abnormal expression of PTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lianying Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044 People’s Republic of China
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39
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Ghurburrun E, Borbath I, Lemaigre FP, Jacquemin P. Liver and Pancreas: Do Similar Embryonic Development and Tissue Organization Lead to Similar Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis? Gene Expr 2018; 18:149-155. [PMID: 29580319 PMCID: PMC6190115 DOI: 10.3727/105221618x15216414278706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The liver and pancreas are closely associated organs that share a common embryological origin. They display amphicrine properties and have similar exocrine organization with parenchymal cells, namely, hepatocytes and acinar cells, secreting bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum via a converging network of bile ducts and pancreatic ducts. Here we compare and highlight the similarities of molecular mechanisms leading to liver and pancreatic cancer development. We suggest that unraveling tumor development in an organ may provide insight into our understanding of carcinogenesis in the other organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ghurburrun
- *Université catholique de Louvain, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ivan Borbath
- †Université catholique de Louvain, Department of Hepato-Gastro-Enterology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Jacquemin
- *Université catholique de Louvain, de Duve Institute, Brussels, Belgium
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40
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Thomas RM, Gharaibeh RZ, Gauthier J, Beveridge M, Pope JL, Guijarro MV, Yu Q, He Z, Ohland C, Newsome R, Trevino J, Hughes SJ, Reinhard M, Winglee K, Fodor AA, Zajac-Kaye M, Jobin C. Intestinal microbiota enhances pancreatic carcinogenesis in preclinical models. Carcinogenesis 2018; 39:1068-1078. [PMID: 29846515 PMCID: PMC6067127 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States yet data are scant regarding host factors influencing pancreatic carcinogenesis. Increasing evidence support the role of the host microbiota in carcinogenesis but its role in PDAC is not well established. Herein, we report that antibiotic-mediated microbial depletion of KrasG12D/PTENlox/+ mice showed a decreased proportion of poorly differentiated tumors compared to microbiota-intact KrasG12D/PTENlox/+ mice. Subsequent 16S rRNA PCR showed that ~50% of KrasG12D/PTENlox/+ mice with PDAC harbored intrapancreatic bacteria. To determine if a similar observation in humans correlates with presence of PDAC, benign and malignant human pancreatic surgical specimens demonstrated a microbiota by 16S bacterial sequencing and culture confirmation. However, the microbial composition did not differentiate PDAC from non-PDAC tissue. Furthermore, murine pancreas did not naturally acquire a pancreatic microbiota, as germ-free mice transferred to specific pathogen-free housing failed to acquire intrapancreatic bacteria over time, which was not augmented by a murine model of colitis. Finally, antibiotic-mediated microbial depletion of Nod-SCID mice, compared to microbiota-intact, showed increased time to PDAC xenograft formation, smaller tumors, and attenuated growth. Interestingly, both xenograft cohorts were devoid of intratumoral bacteria by 16S rRNA PCR, suggesting that intrapancreatic/intratumoral microbiota is not the sole driver of PDAC acceleration. Xenografts from microbiota-intact mice demonstrated innate immune suppression by immunohistochemistry and differential regulation of oncogenic pathways as determined by RNA sequencing. Our work supports a long-distance role of the intestinal microbiota on PDAC progression and opens new research avenues regarding pancreatic carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Thomas
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Surgery, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Raad Z Gharaibeh
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Josee Gauthier
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mark Beveridge
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jillian L Pope
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maria V Guijarro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christina Ohland
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rachel Newsome
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jose Trevino
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steven J Hughes
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mary Reinhard
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kathryn Winglee
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Anthony A Fodor
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Maria Zajac-Kaye
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christian Jobin
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease and Immunology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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41
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Chemotherapy-Induced Depletion of OCT4-Positive Cancer Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Malignant Testicular Cancer. Cell Rep 2018; 21:1896-1909. [PMID: 29141221 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.10.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are among the most responsive solid cancers to conventional chemotherapy. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we developed a mouse TGCT model featuring germ cell-specific Kras activation and Pten inactivation. The resulting mice developed malignant, metastatic TGCTs composed of teratoma and embryonal carcinoma, the latter of which exhibited stem cell characteristics, including expression of the pluripotency factor OCT4. Consistent with epidemiological data linking human testicular cancer risk to in utero exposures, embryonic germ cells were susceptible to malignant transformation, whereas adult germ cells underwent apoptosis in response to the same oncogenic events. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with genotoxic chemotherapy not only prolonged survival and reduced tumor size but also selectively eliminated the OCT4-positive cancer stem cells. We conclude that the chemosensitivity of TGCTs derives from the sensitivity of their cancer stem cells to DNA-damaging chemotherapy.
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42
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MarElia CB, Sharp AE, Shemwell TA, Clare Zhang Y, Burkhardt BR. Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge and its constituent timosaponin-AIII induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. FEBS Open Bio 2018; 8:1155-1166. [PMID: 29988574 PMCID: PMC6026701 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most recalcitrant and lethal of all cancers. We examined the effects of Anemarrhena asphodeloides (AA) and timosaponin-AIII (TAIII), a steroidal saponin present in AA, on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and aimed to elucidate their potential apoptotic mechanisms of action. Viability assays and cell cycle analysis revealed that both AA and TAIII significantly inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle progression compared to treatment with gemcitabine, the standard chemotherapeutic agent for advanced pancreatic cancer. We identified a dose-dependent increase in caspase-dependent apoptosis and activation of pro-apoptotic PI3K/Akt pathway proteins, with a subsequent downregulation of pro-survival PI3K/Akt pathway proteins, in pancreatic cancer cells treated with AA or TAIII over those treated with gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine B MarElia
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology University of South Florida Tampa FL USA
| | - Arielle E Sharp
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology University of South Florida Tampa FL USA
| | - Tiffany A Shemwell
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology University of South Florida Tampa FL USA
| | | | - Brant R Burkhardt
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology University of South Florida Tampa FL USA
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Godfrey JD, Morton JP, Wilczynska A, Sansom OJ, Bushell MD. MiR-142-3p is downregulated in aggressive p53 mutant mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by hypermethylation of its locus. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:644. [PMID: 29844410 PMCID: PMC5973943 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0628-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely aggressive disease with poor prognostic implications. This is partly due to a large proportion of PDACs carrying mutations in TP53, which impart gain-of-function characteristics that promote metastasis. There is evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play a role in both gain-of-function TP53 mutations and metastasis, but this has not been fully explored in PDAC. Here we set out to identify miRNAs which are specifically dysregulated in metastatic PDAC. To achieve this, we utilised established mouse models of PDAC to profile miRNA expression in primary tumours expressing the metastasis-inducing mutant p53R172H and compared these to two control models carrying mutations, which promote tumour progression but do not induce metastasis. We show that a subset of miRNAs are dysregulated in mouse PDAC tumour tissues expressing mutant p53R172H, primary cell lines derived from mice with the same mutations and in TP53 null cells with ectopic expression of the orthologous human mutation, p53R175H. Specifically, miR-142-3p is downregulated in all of these experimental models. We found that DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is upregulated in tumour tissue and cell lines, which express p53R172H. Inhibition or depletion of Dnmt1 restores miR-142-3p expression. Overexpression of miR-142-3p attenuates the invasive capacity of p53R172H-expressing tumour cells. MiR-142-3p dysregulation is known to be associated with cancer progression, metastasis and the miRNA is downregulated in patients with PDAC. Here we link TP53 gain-of-function mutations to Dnmt1 expression and in turn miR-142-3p expression. Additionally, we show a correlation between expression of these genes and patient survival, suggesting that they may have potential to be therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack D Godfrey
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Lancaster Rd, Leicester, LE1 7HB, UK
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Ania Wilczynska
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Lancaster Rd, Leicester, LE1 7HB, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Martin D Bushell
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Lancaster Rd, Leicester, LE1 7HB, UK.
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44
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Murthy D, Attri KS, Singh PK. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutics. Front Physiol 2018; 9:335. [PMID: 29670543 PMCID: PMC5893816 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by its sudden manifestation, rapid progression, poor prognosis, and limited therapeutic options. Genetic alterations in key signaling pathways found in early pancreatic lesions are pivotal for the development and progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplastic lesions into invasive carcinomas. More than 90% of PDAC tumors harbor driver mutations in K-Ras that activate various downstream effector-signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The PI3K pathway also responds to stimuli from various growth factor receptors present on the cancer cell surface that, in turn, modulate downstream signaling cascades. Thus, the inositide signaling acts as a central node in the complex cellular signaling networks to impact cancer cell growth, motility, metabolism, and survival. Also, recent publications highlight the importance of PI3K signaling in stromal cells, whereby PI3K signaling modifies the tumor microenvironment to dictate disease outcome. The high incidence of mutations in the PI3K signaling cascade, accompanied by activation of parallel signaling pathways, makes PI3K a promising candidate for drug therapy. In this review, we describe the role of PI3K signaling in pancreatic cancer development and progression. We also discuss the crosstalk between PI3K and other major cellular signaling cascades, and potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Murthy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kuldeep S Attri
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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45
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Kopp JL, Dubois CL, Schaeffer DF, Samani A, Taghizadeh F, Cowan RW, Rhim AD, Stiles BL, Valasek M, Sander M. Loss of Pten and Activation of Kras Synergistically Induce Formation of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasia From Pancreatic Ductal Cells in Mice. Gastroenterology 2018; 154:1509-1523.e5. [PMID: 29273451 PMCID: PMC5880733 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasias (IPMNs) are precancerous cystic lesions that can develop into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). These large macroscopic lesions are frequently detected during medical imaging, but it is unclear how they form or progress to PDAC. We aimed to identify cells that form IPMNs and mutations that promote IPMN development and progression. METHODS We generated mice with disruption of Pten specifically in ductal cells (Sox9CreERT2;Ptenflox/flox;R26RYFP or PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct mice) and used PtenΔDuct/+ and Pten+/+ mice as controls. We also generated KrasG12D;PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct and KrasG12D;PtenΔDuct/+ mice. Pancreata were collected when mice were 28 weeks to 14.5 months old and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. We performed multiplexed droplet digital polymerase chain reaction to detect spontaneous Kras mutations in PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct mice and study the effects of Ras pathway activation on initiation and progression of IPMNs. We obtained 2 pancreatic sections from a patient with an invasive pancreatobiliary IPMN and analyzed the regions with and without the invasive IPMN (control tissue) by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Mice with ductal cell-specific disruption of Pten but not control mice developed sporadic, macroscopic, intraductal papillary lesions with histologic and molecular features of human IPMNs. PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct mice developed IPMNs of several subtypes. In PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct mice, 31.5% of IPMNs became invasive; invasion was associated with spontaneous mutations in Kras. KrasG12D;PtenΔDuct/ΔDuct mice all developed invasive IPMNs within 1 month. In KrasG12D;PtenΔDuct/+ mice, 70% developed IPMN, predominately of the pancreatobiliary subtype, and 63.3% developed PDAC. In all models, IPMNs and PDAC expressed the duct-specific lineage tracing marker yellow fluorescent protein. In immunohistochemical analyses, we found that the invasive human pancreatobiliary IPMN tissue had lower levels of PTEN and increased levels of phosphorylated (activated) ERK compared with healthy pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS In analyses of mice with ductal cell-specific disruption of Pten, with or without activated Kras, we found evidence for a ductal cell origin of IPMNs. We also showed that PTEN loss and activated Kras have synergistic effects in promoting development of IPMN and progression to PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janel L. Kopp
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695,Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3
| | - Claire L. Dubois
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695
| | - David F. Schaeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory and Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Atefeh Samani
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3
| | - Farnaz Taghizadeh
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3
| | - Robert W. Cowan
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrew D. Rhim
- Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bangyan L. Stiles
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Mark Valasek
- Department of Pathology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695
| | - Maike Sander
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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Ni S, Wang H, Zhu X, Wan C, Xu J, Lu C, Xiao L, He J, Jiang C, Wang W, He Z. CBX7 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the inhibition of PTEN/Akt signaling in pancreatic cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:8010-8021. [PMID: 28030829 PMCID: PMC5352378 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromobox protein homolog 7 (CBX7), one of the polycomb group (PcG) proteins, is a transcriptional repressor involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and senescence. In the present study, we showed that CBX7 negatively regulates the proliferation, viability, chemoresistance, and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Overexpression of CBX7 significantly inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Depletion of CBX7 facilitated their growth. CBX7 also impaired the viability and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells. Transwell assays showed that CBX7 reduces the migratory capacity of pancreatic cancer cells. Of note, CBX7 reduced PTEN/Akt signaling in pancreatic cancer cells by increasing PTEN transcription, suggesting involvement of PTEN/Akt pathway in the tumor suppressive activity of CBX7. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis the CBX7 and PTEN expression in 74 surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) specimens revealed that CBX7 expression is significantly downregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, compared to normal pancreatic tissues. Reduced expression of CBX7 and PTEN was associated with increased malignancy grade in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, whereas maintenance of CBX7 and PTEN expression showed a trend toward a longer survival. These findings suggest CBX7 is an important tumor suppressor that negatively modulates PTEN/Akt signaling during pancreatic tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujie Ni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.,Bilary and Pancreatic Center, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chunhua Wan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Junfei Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chen Lu
- Department of Pathology, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jiaqi He
- Bilary and Pancreatic Center, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chongyi Jiang
- Bilary and Pancreatic Center, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Bilary and Pancreatic Center, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhixian He
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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Zeleniak AE, Huang W, Fishel ML, Hill R. PTEN-Dependent Stabilization of MTSS1 Inhibits Metastatic Phenotype in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Neoplasia 2017; 20:12-24. [PMID: 29175021 PMCID: PMC5714254 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents at metastatic stage in over 50% of patients. With a survival rate of just 2.7% for patients presenting with distant disease, it is imperative to uncover novel mechanisms capable of suppressing metastasis in PDAC. Previously, we reported that the loss of metastasis suppressor protein 1 (MTSS1) in PDAC cells results in significant increase in cellular migration and invasion. Conversely, we also found that overexpressing MTSS1 in metastatic PDAC cell lines corresponds with not only decreased metastatic phenotype, but also greater overall survival. While it is known that MTSS1 is downregulated in late-stage PDAC, the mechanism behind that loss has not yet been elucidated. Here, we build off our previous findings to present a novel regulatory mechanism for the stabilization of MTSS1 via the tumor suppressor protein phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). We show that PTEN loss in PDAC cells results in a decrease in MTSS1 expression and increased metastatic potential. Additionally, we demonstrate that PTEN forms a complex with MTSS1 in order to stabilize and protect it from proteasomal degradation. Finally, we show that the inflammatory tumor microenvironment, which makes up over 90% of PDAC tumor bulk, is capable of downregulating PTEN expression through secretion of miRNA-23b, potentially uncovering a novel extrinsic mechanism of MTSS1 regulation. Collectively, these data offer new insight into the role and regulation of MTSS1in suppressing tumor cell invasion and migration and help shed light as to what molecular mechanisms could be leading to early cell dissemination in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Zeleniak
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA; Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - Wei Huang
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Reginald Hill
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46556, USA.
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Mainz L, Rosenfeldt MT. Autophagy and cancer - insights from mouse models. FEBS J 2017; 285:792-808. [PMID: 28921866 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
(Macro-)autophagy is an evolutionary conserved 'self-digestion program' that serves to maintain cellular metabolism and is implicated in many pathological processes such as cancer. In recent years, an increasing number of studies in murine cancer models have provided a plethora of sometimes conflicting results about the role of autophagy in cancer biology. This review summarizes these studies and raises awareness that there are situations in which autophagy blockage might indeed reduce tumor growth, but that sometimes the exact opposite is the case. It is therefore vital to mimic patient conditions in preclinical mouse experiments as thoroughly as possible before commencing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mainz
- Institute for Pathology, Germany & Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Mathias T Rosenfeldt
- Institute for Pathology, Germany & Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
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Zeleniak AE, Huang W, Brinkman MK, Fishel ML, Hill R. Loss of MTSS1 results in increased metastatic potential in pancreatic cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:16473-16487. [PMID: 28146435 PMCID: PMC5369978 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year survival rate of 7%. This dismal prognosis is largely due to the inability to diagnose the disease before metastasis occurs. Tumor cell dissemination occurs early in PDAC. While it is known that inflammation facilitates this process, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this progression have not been fully characterized. Here, we functionally test the role of metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) in PDAC. Despite evidence showing that MTSS1 could be important for regulating metastasis in many different cancers, its function in PDAC has not been studied. Here, we show that loss of MTSS1 leads to increased invasion and migration in PDAC cell lines. Moreover, PDAC cells treated with cancer-associated fibroblast-conditioned media also have increased metastatic potential, which is augmented by loss of MTSS1. Finally, overexpression of MTSS1 in PDAC cell lines leads to a loss of migratory potential in vitro and an increase in overall survival in vivo. Collectively, our data provide insight into an important role for MTSS1 in suppressing tumor cell invasion and migration driven by the tumor microenvironment and suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at increasing MTSS1 levels may effectively slow the development of metastatic lesions, increasing survival of patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann E Zeleniak
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA.,Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Wei Huang
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Mary K Brinkman
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Reginald Hill
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA
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Phosphatases and solid tumors: focus on glioblastoma initiation, progression and recurrences. Biochem J 2017; 474:2903-2924. [PMID: 28801478 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatases and cancer have been related for many years now, as these enzymes regulate key cellular functions, including cell survival, migration, differentiation and proliferation. Dysfunctions or mutations affecting these enzymes have been demonstrated to be key factors for oncogenesis. The aim of this review is to shed light on the role of four different phosphatases (PTEN, PP2A, CDC25 and DUSP1) in five different solid tumors (breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer), in order to better understand the most frequent and aggressive primary cancer of the central nervous system, glioblastoma.
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