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Subbalakshmi AR, Sahoo S, McMullen I, Saxena AN, Venugopal SK, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. KLF4 Induces Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET) by Suppressing Multiple EMT-Inducing Transcription Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5135. [PMID: 34680284 PMCID: PMC8533753 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity (EMP) refers to reversible dynamic processes where cells can transition from epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) or from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET) phenotypes. Both these processes are modulated by multiple transcription factors acting in concert. While EMT-inducing transcription factors (TFs)-TWIST1/2, ZEB1/2, SNAIL1/2/3, GSC, and FOXC2-are well-characterized, the MET-inducing TFs are relatively poorly understood (OVOL1/2 and GRHL1/2). Here, using mechanism-based mathematical modeling, we show that transcription factor KLF4 can delay the onset of EMT by suppressing multiple EMT-TFs. Our simulations suggest that KLF4 overexpression can promote a phenotypic shift toward a more epithelial state, an observation suggested by the negative correlation of KLF4 with EMT-TFs and with transcriptomic-based EMT scoring metrics in cancer cell lines. We also show that the influence of KLF4 in modulating the EMT dynamics can be strengthened by its ability to inhibit cell-state transitions at the epigenetic level. Thus, KLF4 can inhibit EMT through multiple parallel paths and can act as a putative MET-TF. KLF4 associates with the patient survival metrics across multiple cancers in a context-specific manner, highlighting the complex association of EMP with patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | | | | | - Sudhanva Kalasapura Venugopal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | - Jason A. Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
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202
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MicroRNA-375: potential cancer suppressor and therapeutic drug. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229736. [PMID: 34494089 PMCID: PMC8458691 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MiR-375 is a conserved noncoding RNA that is known to be involved in tumor cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. Previous studies have shown that miR-375 affects the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human tumor cells via some key transcription factors, such as Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), Specificity protein 1 (SP1) and signaling pathways (Wnt signaling pathway, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway) and is vital for the development of cancer. Additionally, recent studies have identified microRNA (miRNA) delivery system carriers for improved in vivo transportation of miR-375 to specific sites. Here, we discussed the role of miR-375 in different types of cancers, as well as molecular mechanisms, and analyzed the potential of miR-375 as a molecular biomarker and therapeutic target to improve the efficiency of clinical diagnosis of cancer.
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203
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AXL Receptor in Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance: When Normal Functions Go Askew. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194864. [PMID: 34638349 PMCID: PMC8507788 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary AXL is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. In normal physiological conditions, AXL is involved in removing dead cells and their remains, and limiting the duration of immune responses. Both functions are utilized by cancers in the course of tumour progression. Cancer cells use the AXL pathway to detect toxic environments and to activate molecular mechanisms, thereby ensuring their survival or escape from the toxic zone. AXL is instrumental in controlling genetic programs of epithelial-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-epithelial transitions, enabling cancer cells to metastasize. Additionally, AXL signaling suppresses immune responses in tumour microenvironment and thereby helps cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. The broad role of AXL in tumour biology is the reason why its inhibition sensitizes tumours to a broad spectrum of anti-cancer drugs. In this review, we outline molecular mechanisms underlying AXL function in normal tissues, and discuss how these mechanisms are adopted by cancers to become metastatic and drug-resistant. Abstract The TAM proteins TYRO3, AXL, and MER are receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in the clearance of apoptotic debris and negative regulation of innate immune responses. AXL contributes to immunosuppression by terminating the Toll-like receptor signaling in dendritic cells, and suppressing natural killer cell activity. In recent years, AXL has been intensively studied in the context of cancer. Both molecules, the receptor, and its ligand GAS6, are commonly expressed in cancer cells, as well as stromal and infiltrating immune cells. In cancer cells, the activation of AXL signaling stimulates cell survival and increases migratory and invasive potential. In cells of the tumour microenvironment, AXL pathway potentiates immune evasion. AXL has been broadly implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity of cancer cells, a key factor in drug resistance and metastasis. Several antibody-based and small molecule AXL inhibitors have been developed and used in preclinical studies. AXL inhibition in various mouse cancer models reduced metastatic spread and improved the survival of the animals. AXL inhibitors are currently being tested in several clinical trials as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. Here, we give a brief overview of AXL structure and regulation and discuss the normal physiological functions of TAM receptors, focusing on AXL. We present a theory of how epithelial cancers exploit AXL signaling to resist cytotoxic insults, in order to disseminate and relapse.
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204
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Brabletz S, Schuhwerk H, Brabletz T, Stemmler MP. Dynamic EMT: a multi-tool for tumor progression. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108647. [PMID: 34459003 PMCID: PMC8441439 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is fundamental for embryonic morphogenesis. Cells undergoing it lose epithelial characteristics and integrity, acquire mesenchymal features, and become motile. In cancer, this program is hijacked to confer essential changes in morphology and motility that fuel invasion. In addition, EMT is increasingly understood to orchestrate a large variety of complementary cancer features, such as tumor cell stemness, tumorigenicity, resistance to therapy and adaptation to changes in the microenvironment. In this review, we summarize recent findings related to these various classical and non-classical functions, and introduce EMT as a true tumorigenic multi-tool, involved in many aspects of cancer. We suggest that therapeutic targeting of the EMT process will-if acknowledging these complexities-be a possibility to concurrently interfere with tumor progression on many levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Harald Schuhwerk
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
| | - Marc P. Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1Nikolaus‐Fiebiger Center for Molecular MedicineFriedrich‐Alexander University of Erlangen‐NürnbergErlangenGermany
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205
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Norgard RJ, Pitarresi JR, Maddipati R, Aiello‐Couzo NM, Balli D, Li J, Yamazoe T, Wengyn MD, Millstein ID, Folkert IW, Rosario‐Berrios DN, Kim I, Bassett JB, Payne R, Berry CT, Feng X, Sun K, Cioffi M, Chakraborty P, Jolly MK, Gutkind JS, Lyden D, Freedman BD, Foskett JK, Rustgi AK, Stanger BZ. Calcium signaling induces a partial EMT. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51872. [PMID: 34324787 PMCID: PMC8419705 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial plasticity, or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is a well-recognized form of cellular plasticity, which endows tumor cells with invasive properties and alters their sensitivity to various agents, thus representing a major challenge to cancer therapy. It is increasingly accepted that carcinoma cells exist along a continuum of hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (E-M) states and that cells exhibiting such partial EMT (P-EMT) states have greater metastatic competence than those characterized by either extreme (E or M). We described recently a P-EMT program operating in vivo by which carcinoma cells lose their epithelial state through post-translational programs. Here, we investigate the underlying mechanisms and report that prolonged calcium signaling induces a P-EMT characterized by the internalization of membrane-associated E-cadherin (ECAD) and other epithelial proteins as well as an increase in cellular migration and invasion. Signaling through Gαq-associated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) recapitulates these effects, which operate through the downstream activation of calmodulin-Camk2b signaling. These results implicate calcium signaling as a trigger for the acquisition of hybrid/partial epithelial-mesenchymal states in carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Norgard
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ravikanth Maddipati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Children’s Research InstituteUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Nicole M Aiello‐Couzo
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - David Balli
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Taiji Yamazoe
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Maximilian D Wengyn
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ian D Millstein
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ian W Folkert
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of SurgeryHospital of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | | | - Il‐Kyu Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jared B Bassett
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Riley Payne
- Department of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Corbett T Berry
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Xiaodong Feng
- Moores Cancer CenterUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesNational Clinical Research for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and ManagementWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kathryn Sun
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Michele Cioffi
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation LaboratoriesDepartments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental BiologyDrukier Institute for Children’s HealthMeyer Cancer CenterWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and EngineeringIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and EngineeringIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer CenterUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - David Lyden
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation LaboratoriesDepartments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental BiologyDrukier Institute for Children’s HealthMeyer Cancer CenterWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Bruce D Freedman
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - J Kevin Foskett
- Department of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Digestive and Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineHerbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterVagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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206
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Tawa GJ, Braisted J, Gerhold D, Grewal G, Mazcko C, Breen M, Sittampalam G, LeBlanc AK. Transcriptomic profiling in canines and humans reveals cancer specific gene modules and biological mechanisms common to both species. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009450. [PMID: 34570764 PMCID: PMC8523068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding relationships between spontaneous cancer in companion (pet) canines and humans can facilitate biomarker and drug development in both species. Towards this end we developed an experimental-bioinformatic protocol that analyzes canine transcriptomics data in the context of existing human data to evaluate comparative relevance of canine to human cancer. We used this protocol to characterize five canine cancers: melanoma, osteosarcoma, pulmonary carcinoma, B- and T-cell lymphoma, in 60 dogs. We applied an unsupervised, iterative clustering method that yielded five co-expression modules and found that each cancer exhibited a unique module expression profile. We constructed cancer models based on the co-expression modules and used the models to successfully classify the canine data. These canine-derived models also successfully classified human tumors representing the same cancers, indicating shared cancer biology between canines and humans. Annotation of the module genes identified cancer specific pathways relevant to cells-of-origin and tumor biology. For example, annotations associated with melanin production (PMEL, GPNMB, and BACE2), synthesis of bone material (COL5A2, COL6A3, and COL12A1), synthesis of pulmonary surfactant (CTSH, LPCAT1, and NAPSA), ribosomal proteins (RPL8, RPS7, and RPLP0), and epigenetic regulation (EDEM1, PTK2B, and JAK1) were unique to melanoma, osteosarcoma, pulmonary carcinoma, B- and T-cell lymphoma, respectively. In total, 152 biomarker candidates were selected from highly expressing modules for each cancer type. Many of these biomarker candidates are under-explored as drug discovery targets and warrant further study. The demonstrated transferability of classification models from canines to humans enforces the idea that tumor biology, biomarker targets, and associated therapeutics, discovered in canines, may translate to human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J. Tawa
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutic Development Branch, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John Braisted
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutic Development Branch, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Gerhold
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutic Development Branch, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gurmit Grewal
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutic Development Branch, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christina Mazcko
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Comparative Oncology Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Matthew Breen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gurusingham Sittampalam
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division of Preclinical Innovation, Therapeutic Development Branch, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amy K. LeBlanc
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Comparative Oncology Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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207
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Lopez-Hernandez A, Sberna S, Campaner S. Emerging Principles in the Transcriptional Control by YAP and TAZ. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164242. [PMID: 34439395 PMCID: PMC8391352 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary YAP and TAZ are transcriptional cofactors that integrate several upstream signals to generate context-dependent transcriptional responses. This requires extensive integration with epigenetic regulators and other transcription factors. The molecular and genomic characterization of YAP and TAZ nuclear function has broad implications both in physiological and pathological settings. Abstract Yes-associated protein (YAP) and TAZ are transcriptional cofactors that sit at the crossroad of several signaling pathways involved in cell growth and differentiation. As such, they play essential functions during embryonic development, regeneration, and, once deregulated, in cancer progression. In this review, we will revise the current literature and provide an overview of how YAP/TAZ control transcription. We will focus on data concerning the modulation of the basal transcriptional machinery, their ability to epigenetically remodel the enhancer–promoter landscape, and the mechanisms used to integrate transcriptional cues from multiple pathways. This reveals how YAP/TAZ activation in cancer cells leads to extensive transcriptional control that spans several hallmarks of cancer. The definition of the molecular mechanism of transcriptional control and the identification of the pathways regulated by YAP/TAZ may provide therapeutic opportunities for the effective treatment of YAP/TAZ-driven tumors.
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208
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Rasnic R, Linial M. Chromoanagenesis Landscape in 10,000 TCGA Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4197. [PMID: 34439350 PMCID: PMC8392194 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decade, whole-genome sequencing of tumor biopsies and individuals with congenital disorders highlighted the phenomenon of chromoanagenesis, a single chaotic event of chromosomal rearrangement. Chromoanagenesis was shown to be frequent in many types of cancers, to occur in early stages of cancer development, and significantly impact the tumor's nature. However, an in-depth, cancer-type dependent analysis has been somewhat incomplete due to the shortage in whole genome sequencing of cancerous samples. In this study, we extracted data from The Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genome (PCAWG) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to construct and test a machine learning algorithm that can detect chromoanagenesis with high accuracy (86%). The algorithm was applied to ~10,000 unlabeled TCGA cancer patients. We utilize the chromoanagenesis assignment results, to analyze cancer-type specific chromoanagenesis characteristics in 20 TCGA cancer types. Our results unveil prominent genes affected in either chromoanagenesis or non-chromoanagenesis tumorigenesis. The analysis reveals a mutual exclusivity relationship between the genes impaired in chromoanagenesis versus non-chromoanagenesis cases. We offer the discovered characteristics as possible targets for cancer diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni Rasnic
- The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Michal Linial
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
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209
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Genomic landscape and tumor mutation burden analysis of Chinese patients with sarcomatoid carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral Oncol 2021; 121:105436. [PMID: 34371452 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2021.105436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) of the head and neck (HN) is a rare disease that has both sarcomatoid and cancerous components. The genetic background and mechanisms of tumorigenesis remain largely unrevealed, and the progress of precision therapy has been limited. METHODS Targeted DNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed by a 539 genes panel of pan-cancer in 12 patients with SC of the HN to identify their genetic alterations and investigate clinically actionable mutations for use in precision treatment. RESULTS TP53 was identified as the most frequently mutated gene. Genes related to the cell cycling, chromatin remodeling and histone modification were found to be frequently mutated in patients with SC of the HN. Alterations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) were also found in six patients. In addition, four patients had mutations in members of the downstream RAS and PI3-kinase pathways, PIK3CA was identified as the most frequently mutated gene in this pathway. The tumor mutation burden (TMB) value ranged from 0.71 to 14.71 per megabase, with a median of 4.34. The TMB value of PIK3CA mutation patients was significantly higher than that of PIK3CA wild-type patients. CONCLUSIONS This was the first study to investigate genomic alterations specifically in Chinese patients with SC of the HN. Our research results showed that 10 out of 12 patients can match the targeted therapies or immunotherapy currently available in clinical practice or active clinical trials, suggesting precision therapy has the potential utility to improve the long-term prognosis for patients with the rare disease. Due to the small number of patients in this study, the findings need to be validated in a larger cohort.
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210
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Chen Y, Liang W, Liu K, Shang Z. FOXD1 promotes EMT and cell stemness of oral squamous cell carcinoma by transcriptional activation of SNAI2. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:154. [PMID: 34348789 PMCID: PMC8335989 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00671-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell stemness are implicated in the initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Revealing the intrinsic regulatory mechanism may provide effective therapeutic targets for OSCC. Results In this study, we found that Forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) was upregulated in OSCC compared with normal samples. Patients with a higher FOXD1 expression had a poorer overall survival and disease-free survival. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that FOXD1 expression was related to the clinical stage and relapse status of OSCC patients. When FOXD1 expression was knocked down in CAL27 and SCC25 cells, the migration, invasion, colony formation, sphere formation, and proliferation abilities decreased. Moreover, EMT and stemness-related markers changed remarkably, which indicated that the EMT process and cell stemness were inhibited. Conversely, overexpression of FOXD1 promoted EMT and cell stemness. Further study demonstrated that FOXD1 could bind to the promoter region and activate the transcription of SNAI2. In turn, the elevated SNAI2 affected EMT and cell stemness. An in vivo study showed that FOXD1-overexpressing CAL27 cells possessed a stronger tumorigenic ability. Conclusions Our findings revealed a novel mechanism in regulating EMT and cell stemness and proposed FOXD1 as a potential marker for the diagnosis and treatment of OSCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00671-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
| | - Weilian Liang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology, Hubei Province and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education (Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM), Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Zhengjun Shang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, 237 Luoyu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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211
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Pacella G, Capell BC. Epigenetic and metabolic interplay in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:1115-1125. [PMID: 33844325 PMCID: PMC8324523 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the ageing of the population and increased levels of recreational sun exposure and immunosuppression, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), is both an enormous and expanding clinical and economic issue. Despite advances in therapy, up to 5000-8000 people are estimated to die every year from cSCC in the U.S., highlighting the need for both better prevention and treatments. Two emerging areas of scientific discovery that may offer new therapeutic approaches for cSCC are epigenetics and metabolism. Importantly, these disciplines display extensive crosstalk, with metabolic inputs contributing to the chromatin landscape, while the dynamic epigenome shapes transcriptional and cellular responses that feedback into cellular metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that indeed, epigenetic and metabolic dysregulation may be critical contributors to cSCC pathogenesis. Here, we synthesize the latest findings from these fast-moving fields, including how they may drive cSCC, yet also be harnessed for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Pacella
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian C. Capell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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212
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Li FL, Guan KL. The two sides of Hippo pathway in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:33-42. [PMID: 34265423 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway was originally characterized by genetic studies in Drosophila to regulate tissue growth and organ size, and the core components of this pathway are highly conserved in mammals. Studies over the past two decades have revealed critical physiological and pathological functions of the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway, which is tightly regulated by a broad range of intracellular and extracellular signals. These properties enable the Hippo pathway to serve as an important controller in organismal development and adult tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of the Hippo signaling has been observed in many cancer types, suggesting the possibility of cancer treatment by targeting the Hippo pathway. The general consensus is that Hippo has tumor suppressor function. However, growing evidence also suggests that the function of the Hippo pathway in malignancy is cancer context dependent as recent studies indicating tumor promoting function of LATS. This article surveys the Hippo pathway signaling mechanisms and then reviews both the tumor suppressing and promoting function of this pathway. A comprehensive understanding of the dual roles of the Hippo pathway in cancer will benefit future therapeutic targeting of the Hippo pathway for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Long Li
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Long Q, Wang H, Xiang M, Xiang M, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Liu J, Guan X. Partial EMT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Snapshot. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3036-3047. [PMID: 34421348 PMCID: PMC8375241 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of cancer EMT, some subgroups of cancer cells simultaneously exhibit both mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, a phenomenon termed partial EMT (pEMT). pEMT is a plastic state in which cells coexpress epithelial and mesenchymal markers. In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pEMT is regulated, and the phenotype is maintained via the HIPPO pathway, NOTCH pathway and TGF-β pathways and by microRNAs, lncRNAs and the cancer microenvironment (CME); thus, SCC exhibits aggressive tumorigenic properties and high stemness, which leads collective migration and therapy resistance. Few studies have reported therapeutic interventions to address cells that have undergone pEMT, and this approach may be an effective way to inhibit the plasticity, drug resistance and metastatic potential of SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Meiling Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mingli Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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214
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Harnessing Carcinoma Cell Plasticity Mediated by TGF-β Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143397. [PMID: 34298613 PMCID: PMC8307280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review describes mechanisms driving epithelial plasticity in carcinoma mediated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling. Plasticity in carcinoma is frequently induced through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), an evolutionary conserved process in the development of multicellular organisms. The review explores the multifaceted functions of EMT, particularly focusing on the intermediate stages, which provide more adaptive responses of carcinoma cells in their microenvironment. The review critically considers how different intermediate or hybrid EMT stages confer carcinoma cells with stemness, refractoriness to therapies, and ability to execute all steps of the metastatic cascade. Finally, the review provides examples of therapeutic interventions based on the EMT concept. Abstract Epithelial cell plasticity, a hallmark of carcinoma progression, results in local and distant cancer dissemination. Carcinoma cell plasticity can be achieved through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), with cells positioned seemingly indiscriminately across the spectrum of EMT phenotypes. Different degrees of plasticity are achieved by transcriptional regulation and feedback-loops, which confer carcinoma cells with unique properties of tumor propagation and therapy resistance. Decoding the molecular and cellular basis of EMT in carcinoma should enable the discovery of new therapeutic strategies against cancer. In this review, we discuss the different attributes of plasticity in carcinoma and highlight the role of the canonical TGFβ receptor signaling pathway in the acquisition of plasticity. We emphasize the potential stochasticity of stemness in carcinoma in relation to plasticity and provide data from recent clinical trials that seek to target plasticity.
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215
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Guillermin O, Angelis N, Sidor CM, Ridgway R, Baulies A, Kucharska A, Antas P, Rose MR, Cordero J, Sansom O, Li VSW, Thompson BJ. Wnt and Src signals converge on YAP-TEAD to drive intestinal regeneration. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105770. [PMID: 33950519 PMCID: PMC8246259 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signalling induces a gradient of stem/progenitor cell proliferation along the crypt-villus axis of the intestine, which becomes expanded during intestinal regeneration or tumour formation. The YAP transcriptional co-activator is known to be required for intestinal regeneration, but its mode of regulation remains controversial. Here we show that the YAP-TEAD transcription factor is a key downstream effector of Wnt signalling in the intestine. Loss of YAP activity by Yap/Taz conditional knockout results in sensitivity of crypt stem cells to apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation during regeneration. Gain of YAP activity by Lats1/2 conditional knockout is sufficient to drive a crypt hyperproliferation response. In particular, Wnt signalling acts transcriptionally to induce YAP and TEAD1/2/4 expression. YAP normally localises to the nucleus only in crypt base stem cells, but becomes nuclear in most intestinal epithelial cells during intestinal regeneration after irradiation, or during organoid growth, in a Src family kinase-dependent manner. YAP-driven crypt expansion during regeneration involves an elongation and flattening of the Wnt signalling gradient. Thus, Wnt and Src-YAP signals cooperate to drive intestinal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriane Guillermin
- Epithelial Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Nikolaos Angelis
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Clara M Sidor
- Epithelial Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Rachel Ridgway
- Colorectal Cancer and Wnt signalling LaboratoryCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| | - Anna Baulies
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Anna Kucharska
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Pedro Antas
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Melissa R Rose
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Julia Cordero
- Institute of Cancer SciencesWolfson Wohl Cancer Research CentreBearsdenUK
| | - Owen Sansom
- Colorectal Cancer and Wnt signalling LaboratoryCancer Research UK Beatson InstituteGlasgowUK
| | - Vivian S W Li
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Barry J Thompson
- Epithelial Biology LaboratoryFrancis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- EMBL Australia ACRF Department of Cancer Biology & TherapeuticsJohn Curtin School of Medical ResearchThe Australian National UniversityActonACTAustralia
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216
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Ashrafizadeh M, Mirzaei S, Hashemi F, Zarrabi A, Zabolian A, Saleki H, Sharifzadeh SO, Soleymani L, Daneshi S, Hushmandi K, Khan H, Kumar AP, Aref AR, Samarghandian S. New insight towards development of paclitaxel and docetaxel resistance in cancer cells: EMT as a novel molecular mechanism and therapeutic possibilities. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111824. [PMID: 34175815 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis and migration of cancer cells to neighboring cells and tissues. Morphologically, epithelial cells are transformed to mesenchymal cells, and at molecular level, E-cadherin undergoes down-regulation, while an increase occurs in N-cadherin and vimentin levels. Increasing evidence demonstrates role of EMT in mediating drug resistance of cancer cells. On the other hand, paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) are two chemotherapeutic agents belonging to taxene family, capable of inducing cell cycle arrest in cancer cells via preventing microtubule depolymerization. Aggressive behavior of cancer cells resulted from EMT-mediated metastasis can lead to PTX and DTX resistance. Upstream mediators of EMT such as ZEB1/2, TGF-β, microRNAs, and so on are involved in regulating response of cancer cells to PTX and DTX. Tumor-suppressing factors inhibit EMT to promote PTX and DTX sensitivity of cancer cells. Furthermore, three different strategies including using anti-tumor compounds, gene therapy and delivery systems have been developed for suppressing EMT, and enhancing cytotoxicity of PTX and DTX against cancer cells that are mechanistically discussed in the current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey; Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Saleki
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Omid Sharifzadeh
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vice President at Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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217
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Peluso F, Caraffi SG, Zuntini R, Trimarchi G, Ivanovski I, Valeri L, Barbieri V, Marinelli M, Pancaldi A, Melli N, Cesario C, Agolini E, Cellini E, Radio FC, Crisafi A, Napoli M, Guerrini R, Tartaglia M, Novelli A, Gargano G, Zuffardi O, Garavelli L. Whole Exome Sequencing Is the Minimal Technological Approach in Probands Born to Consanguineous Couples. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070962. [PMID: 34202629 PMCID: PMC8303193 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on two siblings suffering from different pathogenic conditions, born to consanguineous parents. A multigene panel for brain malformations and microcephaly identified the homozygous splicing variant NM_005886.3:c.1416+1del in the KATNB1 gene in the older sister. On the other hand, exome sequencing revealed the homozygous frameshift variant NM_005245.4:c.9729del in the FAT1 gene in the younger sister, who had a more complex phenotype: in addition to bilateral anophthalmia and heart defects, she showed a right split foot with 4 toes, 5 metacarpals, second toe duplication and preaxial polydactyly on the right hand. These features have been never reported before in patients with pathogenic FAT1 variants and support the role of this gene in the development of limb buds. Notably, each parent was heterozygous for both of these variants, which were ultra-rare and rare, respectively. This study raises awareness about the value of using whole exome/genome sequencing rather than targeted gene panels when testing affected offspring born to consanguineous couples. In this way, exomic data from the parents are also made available for carrier screening, to identify heterozygous pathogenetic and likely pathogenetic variants in genes responsible for other recessive conditions, which may pose a risk for subsequent pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Peluso
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Stefano Giuseppe Caraffi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Roberta Zuntini
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Gabriele Trimarchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Ivan Ivanovski
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
- Institut für Medizinische Genetik, Universität Zürich, 8952 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lara Valeri
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
- Post Graduate School of Paediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Veronica Barbieri
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Marinelli
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Alessia Pancaldi
- Post Graduate School of Paediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (N.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Nives Melli
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (N.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Claudia Cesario
- Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Emanuele Agolini
- Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Elena Cellini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Francesca Clementina Radio
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.C.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Antonella Crisafi
- Pediatric Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Manuela Napoli
- Neuroradiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology, Neurogenetics and Neurobiology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (E.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (F.C.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Giancarlo Gargano
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (N.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Orsetta Zuffardi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Livia Garavelli
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (F.P.); (S.G.C.); (R.Z.); (G.T.); (I.I.); (L.V.); (V.B.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
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218
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Chen Z, Zhang C, Chen J, Wang D, Tu J, Van Waes C, Saba NF, Chen ZG, Chen Z. The Proteomic Landscape of Growth Factor Signaling Networks Associated with FAT1 Mutations in Head and Neck Cancers. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4402-4416. [PMID: 34167951 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
FAT1 is frequently mutated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the biological and clinical effects of FAT1 mutations in HNSCC remain to be fully elucidated. We investigated the landscape of altered protein and gene expression associated with FAT1 mutations and clinical outcomes of patients with HNSCC. FAT1 mutation was stratified with clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSCC databases with more than 200 proteins or phosphorylated sites. FAT1 mutation was significantly more prevalent among HPV(-), female, and older patients and was enriched in oral, larynx, and hypopharynx primary tumors. FAT1 mutation was also significantly associated with lower FAT1 gene expression and increased protein expression of HER3_pY1289, IRS1, and CAVEOLIN1. From an independent International Cancer Genome Consortium dataset, FAT1 mutation in oral cancer co-occurred with top mutated genes TP53 and CASP8. Poorer overall survival or progression-free survival was observed in patients with FAT1 mutation or altered HER3_pY1289, IRS1, or CAVEOLIN1. Pathway analysis revealed dominant ERBB/neuregulin pathways linked to FAT1 mutations in HNSCC, and protein signature panels uncovered the heterogeneity of patient subgroups. Decreased pEGFR, pHER2, and pERK and upregulated pHER3 and HER3 proteins were observed in two FAT1 knockout HNSCC cell lines, supporting that FAT1 alterations lead to altered EGFR/ERBB signaling. In squamous cancers of the lung and cervix, a strong association of FAT1 and EGFR gene expressions was identified. Collectively, these results suggest that alteration of FAT1 appears to involve mostly HPV(-) HNSCC and may contribute to resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Integrative bioinformatics and statistical analyses reveal a panel of genes and proteins associated with FAT1 mutation in HNSCC, providing important insights into prospective clinical investigations with targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjia Chen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Biostatistics Shared Resource Core, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Chao Zhang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jianhong Chen
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jieqi Tu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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219
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Roles for growth factors and mutations in metastatic dissemination. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1409-1423. [PMID: 34100888 PMCID: PMC8286841 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is initiated largely by specific cohorts of genetic aberrations, which are generated by mutagens and often mimic active growth factor receptors, or downstream effectors. Once initiated cells outgrow and attract blood vessels, a multi-step process, called metastasis, disseminates cancer cells primarily through vascular routes. The major steps of the metastatic cascade comprise intravasation into blood vessels, circulation as single or collectives of cells, and eventual colonization of distant organs. Herein, we consider metastasis as a multi-step process that seized principles and molecular players employed by physiological processes, such as tissue regeneration and migration of neural crest progenitors. Our discussion contrasts the irreversible nature of mutagenesis, which establishes primary tumors, and the reversible epigenetic processes (e.g. epithelial-mesenchymal transition) underlying the establishment of micro-metastases and secondary tumors. Interestingly, analyses of sequencing data from untreated metastases inferred depletion of putative driver mutations among metastases, in line with the pivotal role played by growth factors and epigenetic processes in metastasis. Conceivably, driver mutations may not confer the same advantage in the microenvironment of the primary tumor and of the colonization site, hence phenotypic plasticity rather than rigid cellular states hardwired by mutations becomes advantageous during metastasis. We review the latest reported examples of growth factors harnessed by the metastatic cascade, with the goal of identifying opportunities for anti-metastasis interventions. In summary, because the overwhelming majority of cancer-associated deaths are caused by metastatic disease, understanding the complexity of metastasis, especially the roles played by growth factors, is vital for preventing, diagnosing and treating metastasis.
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220
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He Z, Li R, Jiang H. Mutations and Copy Number Abnormalities of Hippo Pathway Components in Human Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:661718. [PMID: 34150758 PMCID: PMC8209335 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.661718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is highly conserved from Drosophila to mammals. As a key regulator of cell proliferation, the Hippo pathway controls tissue homeostasis and has a major impact on tumorigenesis. The originally defined core components of the Hippo pathway in mammals include STK3/4, LATS1/2, YAP1/TAZ, TEAD, VGLL4, and NF2. However, for most of these genes, mutations and copy number variations are relatively uncommon in human cancer. Several other recently identified upstream and downstream regulators of Hippo signaling, including FAT1, SHANK2, Gq/11, and SWI/SNF complex, are more commonly dysregulated in human cancer at the genomic level. This review will discuss major genomic events in human cancer that enable cancer cells to escape the tumor-suppressive effects of Hippo signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjin He
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruihan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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221
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Bornes L, Belthier G, van Rheenen J. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Light of Plasticity and Hybrid E/M States. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112403. [PMID: 34072345 PMCID: PMC8197992 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program which leads to cells losing epithelial features, including cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion and attachment to the basement membrane, while gaining mesenchymal characteristics, such as invasive properties and stemness. This program is involved in embryogenesis, wound healing and cancer progression. Over the years, the role of EMT in cancer progression has been heavily debated, and the requirement of this process in metastasis even has been disputed. In this review, we discuss previous discrepancies in the light of recent findings on EMT, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Moreover, we highlight various tumor microenvironmental cues and cell intrinsic signaling pathways that induce and sustain EMT programs, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Lastly, we discuss how recent findings on plasticity, especially on those that enable cells to switch between hybrid E/M states, have changed our understanding on the role of EMT in cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance.
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Liu Y, Wu H, Luo T, Luo Q, Meng Z, Shi Y, Li F, Liu M, Peng X, Liu J, Xu C, Tang W. The SOX9-MMS22L Axis Promotes Oxaliplatin Resistance in Colorectal Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:646542. [PMID: 34124145 PMCID: PMC8191464 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.646542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is estimated to be one of the most common cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. SOX9 is commonly overexpressed in CRC and participates in drug resistance. In addition, DNA damage repair confers resistance to anticancer drugs. However, the correlation between DNA damage repair and high SOX9 expression is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function and the specific underlying mechanism of the SOX9-dependent DNA damage repair pathway in CRC. Methods The expression levels of SOX9 and MMS22L in CRC were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and TCGA analysis. RNA sequencing was conducted in RKO SOX9-deficient cells and RKO shControl cells. Mechanistic studies were performed in CRC cells by modulating SOX9 and MMS22L expression, and we evaluated drug sensitivity and DNA damage repair signaling events. In addition, we investigated the effect of oxaliplatin in tumors with SOX9 overexpression and low expression of MMS22L in vivo. Results Our study showed that SOX9 has a higher expression level in CRC tissues than in normal tissues and predicts poor prognosis in CRC patients. Overexpression and knockdown of SOX9 were associated with the efficacy of oxaliplatin. In addition, SOX9 activity was enriched in the DNA damage repair pathway via regulation of MMS22L expression and participation in DNA double-strand break repair. SOX9 was upregulated and formed a complex with MMS22L, which promoted the nuclear translocation of MMS22L upon oxaliplatin treatment. Moreover, the xenograft assay results showed that oxaliplatin abrogated tumor growth from cells with MMS22L downregulation in mice. Conclusions In CRC, activation of the SOX9-MMS22L-dependent DNA damage pathway is a core pathway regulating oxaliplatin sensitivity. Targeting this pathway in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cells is a promising therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiang Liu
- Department of Experimental Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Department of Experimental Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Qiyu Luo
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziyu Meng
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Feifei Li
- Department of Experimental Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingxin Liu
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinhao Peng
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Department of Experimental Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weizhong Tang
- Department of Experimental Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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223
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Pedri D, Karras P, Landeloos E, Marine JC, Rambow F. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition events in melanoma. FEBS J 2021; 289:1352-1368. [PMID: 33999497 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process through which epithelial tumor cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypic properties, contributes to both metastatic dissemination and therapy resistance in cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that nonepithelial tumors, including melanoma, can also gain mesenchymal-like properties that increase their metastatic propensity and decrease their sensitivity to therapy. In this review, we discuss recent findings, illustrating the striking similarities-but also knowledge gaps-between the biology of mesenchymal-like state(s) in melanoma and mesenchymal state(s) from epithelial cancers. Based on this comparative analysis, we suggest hypothesis-driven experimental approaches to further deepen our understanding of the EMT-like process in melanoma and how such investigations may pave the way towards the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers for prognosis and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Pedri
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewout Landeloos
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
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224
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Deshmukh AP, Vasaikar SV, Tomczak K, Tripathi S, den Hollander P, Arslan E, Chakraborty P, Soundararajan R, Jolly MK, Rai K, Levine H, Mani SA. Identification of EMT signaling cross-talk and gene regulatory networks by single-cell RNA sequencing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2102050118. [PMID: 33941680 PMCID: PMC8126782 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102050118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role during normal development and in cancer progression. EMT is induced by various signaling pathways, including TGF-β, BMP, Wnt-β-catenin, NOTCH, Shh, and receptor tyrosine kinases. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on MCF10A cells undergoing EMT by TGF-β1 stimulation. Our comprehensive analysis revealed that cells progress through EMT at different paces. Using pseudotime clustering reconstruction of gene-expression profiles during EMT, we found sequential and parallel activation of EMT signaling pathways. We also observed various transitional cellular states during EMT. We identified regulatory signaling nodes that drive EMT with the expression of important microRNAs and transcription factors. Using a random circuit perturbation methodology, we demonstrate that the NOTCH signaling pathway acts as a key driver of TGF-β-induced EMT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the gene signatures of pseudotime clusters corresponding to the intermediate hybrid EMT state are associated with poor patient outcome. Overall, this study provides insight into context-specific drivers of cancer progression and highlights the complexities of the EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet P Deshmukh
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Suhas V Vasaikar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Katarzyna Tomczak
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Shubham Tripathi
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Emre Arslan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Rama Soundararajan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030;
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115;
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030;
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225
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Kvokačková B, Remšík J, Jolly MK, Souček K. Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mediated by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2188. [PMID: 34063254 PMCID: PMC8125677 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast carcinoma known for its unusually aggressive behavior and poor clinical outcome. Besides the lack of molecular targets for therapy and profound intratumoral heterogeneity, the relatively quick overt metastatic spread remains a major obstacle in effective clinical management. The metastatic colonization of distant sites by primary tumor cells is affected by the microenvironment, epigenetic state of particular subclones, and numerous other factors. One of the most prominent processes contributing to the intratumoral heterogeneity is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an evolutionarily conserved developmental program frequently hijacked by tumor cells, strengthening their motile and invasive features. In response to various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, malignant cells can revert the EMT state through the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), a process that is believed to be critical for the establishment of macrometastasis at secondary sites. Notably, cancer cells rarely undergo complete EMT and rather exist in a continuum of E/M intermediate states, preserving high levels of plasticity, as demonstrated in primary tumors and, ultimately, in circulating tumor cells, representing a simplified element of the metastatic cascade. In this review, we focus on cellular drivers underlying EMT/MET phenotypic plasticity and its detrimental consequences in the context of TNBC cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Kvokačková
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Remšík
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India;
| | - Karel Souček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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226
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Lambert AW, Weinberg RA. Linking EMT programmes to normal and neoplastic epithelial stem cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:325-338. [PMID: 33547455 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial stem cells serve critical physiological functions in the generation, maintenance and repair of diverse tissues through their ability to self-renew and spawn more specialized, differentiated cell types. In an analogous fashion, cancer stem cells have been proposed to fuel the growth, progression and recurrence of many carcinomas. Activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a latent cell-biological programme involved in development and wound healing, has been linked to the formation of both normal and neoplastic stem cells, but the mechanistic basis underlying this connection remains unclear. In this Perspective, we outline the instances where aspects of an EMT have been implicated in normal and neoplastic epithelial stem cells and consider the involvement of this programme during tissue regeneration and repair. We also discuss emerging concepts and evidence related to the heterogeneous and plastic cell states generated by EMT programmes and how these bear on our understanding of cancer stem cell biology and cancer metastasis. A more comprehensive accounting of the still-elusive links between EMT programmes and the stem cell state will surely advance our understanding of both normal stem cell biology and cancer pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- MIT Ludwig Center for Molecular Oncology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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227
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Liu QL, Luo M, Huang C, Chen HN, Zhou ZG. Epigenetic Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in the Cancer Metastatic Cascade: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657546. [PMID: 33996581 PMCID: PMC8117142 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657546] [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: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the end stage of cancer progression and the direct cause of most cancer-related deaths. The spreading of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs is a multistep process known as the metastatic cascade, including local invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, extravasation, and colonization. Each of these steps is driven by the acquisition of genetic and/or epigenetic alterations within cancer cells, leading to subsequent transformation of metastatic cells. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a cellular process mediating the conversion of cell from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype, and its reverse transformation, termed mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET), together endow metastatic cells with traits needed to generate overt metastases in different scenarios. The dynamic shift between these two phenotypes and their transitional state, termed partial EMT, emphasizes the plasticity of EMT. Recent advances attributed this plasticity to epigenetic regulation, which has implications for the therapeutic targeting of cancer metastasis. In this review, we will discuss the association between epigenetic events and the multifaceted nature of EMT, which may provide insights into the steps of the cancer metastatic cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Luo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Maochao Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai-Ning Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Zong-Guang Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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228
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Interplay between Metabolism Reprogramming and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081973. [PMID: 33923958 PMCID: PMC8072988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor cells display important plasticity potential. Notably, tumor cells have the ability to change toward immature cells called cancer stem cells under the influence of the tumor environment. Importantly, cancer stem cells are a small subset of relatively quiescent cells that, unlike rapidly dividing differentiated tumor cells, escape standard chemotherapies, causing relapse or recurrence of cancer. Interestingly, these cells adopt a specific metabolism. Most often, they mainly rely on glucose uptake and metabolism to sustain their energy needs. This metabolic reprogramming is set off by environmental factors such as pro-inflammatory signals or catecholamine hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine). A better understanding of this process could provide opportunities to kill cancer stem cells. Indeed, it would become possible to develop drugs that act specifically on metabolic pathways used by these cells. These new drugs could be used to strengthen the effects of current chemotherapies and overcome cancers with poor prognoses. Abstract Tumor cells display important plasticity potential, which contributes to intratumoral heterogeneity. Notably, tumor cells have the ability to retrodifferentiate toward immature states under the influence of their microenvironment. Importantly, this phenotypical conversion is paralleled by a metabolic rewiring, and according to the metabostemness theory, metabolic reprogramming represents the first step of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquisition of stemness features. Most cancer stem cells (CSC) adopt a glycolytic phenotype even though cells retain functional mitochondria. Such adaptation is suggested to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting CSC from detrimental effects of ROS. CSC may also rely on glutaminolysis or fatty acid metabolism to sustain their energy needs. Besides pro-inflammatory cytokines that are well-known to initiate the retrodifferentiation process, the release of catecholamines in the microenvironment of the tumor can modulate both EMT and metabolic changes in cancer cells through the activation of EMT transcription factors (ZEB1, Snail, or Slug (SNAI2)). Importantly, the acquisition of stem cell properties favors the resistance to standard care chemotherapies. Hence, a better understanding of this process could pave the way for the development of therapies targeting CSC metabolism, providing new strategies to eradicate the whole tumor mass in cancers with unmet needs.
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229
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Guo K, Feng Y, Zheng X, Sun L, Wasan HS, Ruan S, Shen M. Resveratrol and Its Analogs: Potent Agents to Reverse Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Tumors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:644134. [PMID: 33937049 PMCID: PMC8085503 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.644134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a complicated program through which polarized epithelial cells acquire motile mesothelial traits, is regulated by tumor microenvironment. EMT is involved in tumor progression, invasion and metastasis via reconstructing the cytoskeleton and degrading the tumor basement membrane. Accumulating evidence shows that resveratrol, as a non-flavonoid polyphenol, can reverse EMT and inhibit invasion and migration of human tumors via diverse mechanisms and signaling pathways. In the present review, we will summarize the detailed mechanisms and pathways by which resveratrol and its analogs (e.g. Triacetyl resveratrol, 3,5,4'-Trimethoxystilbene) might regulate the EMT process in cancer cells to better understand their potential as novel anti-tumor agents. Resveratrol can also reverse chemoresistance via EMT inhibition and improvement of the antiproliferative effects of conventional treatments. Therefore, resveratrol and its analogs have the potential to become novel adjunctive agents to inhibit cancer metastasis, which might be partly related to their blocking of the EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaibo Guo
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqian Feng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueer Zheng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Leitao Sun
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Harpreet S. Wasan
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shanming Ruan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minhe Shen
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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230
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Massagué J, Ganesh K. Metastasis-Initiating Cells and Ecosystems. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:971-994. [PMID: 33811127 PMCID: PMC8030695 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is initiated and sustained through therapy by cancer cells with stem-like and immune-evasive properties, termed metastasis-initiating cells (MIC). Recent progress suggests that MICs result from the adoption of a normal regenerative progenitor phenotype by malignant cells, a phenotype with intrinsic programs to survive the stresses of the metastatic process, undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, enter slow-cycling states for dormancy, evade immune surveillance, establish supportive interactions with organ-specific niches, and co-opt systemic factors for growth and recurrence after therapy. Mechanistic understanding of the molecular mediators of MIC phenotypes and host tissue ecosystems could yield cancer therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the origins, traits, and vulnerabilities of progenitor cancer cells with the capacity to initiate metastasis in distant organs, and the host microenvironments that support the ability of these cells to evade immune surveillance and regenerate the tumor, is critical for developing strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of advanced cancer. Leveraging recent progress in our understanding of the metastatic process, here we review the nature of MICs and their ecosystems and offer a perspective on how this knowledge is informing innovative treatments of metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Massagué
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York.
| | - Karuna Ganesh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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231
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Mutations Associated with No Durable Clinical Benefit to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Non-S-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061397. [PMID: 33808631 PMCID: PMC8003499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary With the application of immunotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we found that immunotherapy for some patients cannot achieve long-term effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of these patients and make a model that can effectively predict the prognosis of immunotherapy patients. The results of this study will make it easier for clinicians to screen out NSCLC patients for immunotherapy. Abstract (1) Background: The immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has shown promising efficacy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with significant clinical benefits and durable responses, but the overall response rate to ICBs is only 20%. The lack of responsiveness to ICBs is currently a central problem in cancer immunotherapy. (2) Methods: Four public cohorts comprising 2986 patients with NSCLC were included in the study. We screened 158 patients with NSCLC with no durable clinical benefit (NDB) to ICBs in the Rizvi cohort and identified NDB-related gene mutations in these patients using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutation burden (TMB), neoantigen load, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and immune-related gene expression were analyzed for identifying gene mutations. A comprehensive predictive classifier model was also built to evaluate the efficacy of ICB therapy. (3) Results: Mutations in FAT1 and KEAP1 were found to correlate with NDB in patients with NSCLC to ICBs; however, the analysis suggested that only mutation in FAT1 was valuable in predicting the efficacy of ICB therapy, and that mutation in KEAP1 acted as a prognostic but not a predictive biomarker for NSCLC. Mutations in FAT1 were associated with a higher TMB and lower multiple lymphocyte infiltration, including CD8 (T-Cell Surface Glycoprotein CD8)+ T cells. We established a prognostic model according to PD-L1 expression, TMB, smoking status, treatment regimen, treatment type, and FAT1 mutation, which indicated good accuracy by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (area under the curve (AUC) for 6-months survival: 0.763; AUC for 12-months survival: 0.871). (4) Conclusions: Mutation in FAT1 may be a predictive biomarker in patients with NSCLC who exhibit NDB to ICBs. We proposed an FAT1 mutation-based model for screening more suitable NSCLC patients to receive ICBs that may contribute to individualized immunotherapy.
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232
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Peng Z, Gong Y, Liang X. Role of FAT1 in health and disease. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:398. [PMID: 33777221 PMCID: PMC7988705 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), which encodes a protocadherin, is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer. Over the past 20 years, the role of FAT1 in tissue growth and in the development of diseases has been extensively studied. There is definitive evidence that FAT1 serves a substantial role in the maintenance of organs and development, and its expression appears to be tissue-specific. FAT1 activates a variety of signaling pathways through protein-protein interactions, including the Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, which affect cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Abnormal FAT1 expression may lead to the development of tumors and may affect prognosis. Therefore, FAT1 may have potential in tumor therapy. The structural and functional changes mediated by FAT1, its tissue distribution and changes in FAT1 expression in human diseases are described in the present review, which provides further insight for understanding the role of FAT1 in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Peng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Yanyu Gong
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqiu Liang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
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233
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Young KA, Biggins L, Sharpe HJ. Protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell adhesion. Biochem J 2021; 478:1061-1083. [PMID: 33710332 PMCID: PMC7959691 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adhesive structures between cells and with the surrounding matrix are essential for the development of multicellular organisms. In addition to providing mechanical integrity, they are key signalling centres providing feedback on the extracellular environment to the cell interior, and vice versa. During development, mitosis and repair, cell adhesions must undergo extensive remodelling. Post-translational modifications of proteins within these complexes serve as switches for activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation is an important modification in cell adhesion that is dynamically regulated by the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and protein tyrosine kinases. Several PTPs are implicated in the assembly and maintenance of cell adhesions, however, their signalling functions remain poorly defined. The PTPs can act by directly dephosphorylating adhesive complex components or function as scaffolds. In this review, we will focus on human PTPs and discuss their individual roles in major adhesion complexes, as well as Hippo signalling. We have collated PTP interactome and cell adhesome datasets, which reveal extensive connections between PTPs and cell adhesions that are relatively unexplored. Finally, we reflect on the dysregulation of PTPs and cell adhesions in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Young
- Signalling Programme, Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Laura Biggins
- Bioinformatics, Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Hayley J. Sharpe
- Signalling Programme, Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
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Sawanyawisuth K, Sashida G, Sheng G. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Liver Fluke-Induced Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040791. [PMID: 33672838 PMCID: PMC7917655 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040791] [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: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Parasitic infection remains a health threat in many countries. Liver flukes, parasitic flatworms endemic to southeast and east Asia, cause bile duct inflammation and are major risk factors of bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). As the only group of eukaryotic organisms listed as carcinogens, liver flukes can increase cholangiocarcinoma incidence by 100-fold in some parts of Thailand. How they interact with bile duct epithelial cells during tumor initiation and progression is unknown. In this review, we summarize molecular and cellular evidence linking liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma with mis-regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a multicellular morphogenetic process known to be involved in many normal and pathological settings, including cancer. EMT markers and regulators can potentially be used to facilitate cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis and treatment. Abstract Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common type of hepatic cancer. In east and southeast Asia, intrahepatic CCA is caused predominantly by infection of Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis, two species of parasitic liver flukes. In this review, we present molecular evidence that liver fluke-associated CCAs have enhanced features of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in bile duct epithelial cells (cholangiocytes) and that some of those features are associated with mis-regulation at the epigenetic level. We hypothesize that both direct and indirect mechanisms underlie parasitic infection-induced EMT in CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (G.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Goro Sashida
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation in Leukemogenesis, International Research Centre for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (G.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Guojun Sheng
- Laboratory of Developmental Morphogenesis, International Research Centre for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (G.S.); (G.S.)
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Progression to Metastasis of Solid Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040717. [PMID: 33578666 PMCID: PMC7916396 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Cancer Stem Cells-Key Players in Tumor Relapse. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030376. [PMID: 33498502 PMCID: PMC7864187 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor relapse and treatment failure are unfortunately common events for cancer patients, thus often rendering cancer an uncurable disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cancer cells endowed with tumor-initiating and self-renewal capacity, as well as with high adaptive abilities. Altogether, these features contribute to CSC survival after one or multiple therapeutic approaches, thus leading to treatment failure and tumor progression/relapse. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with stemness-driven resistance is crucial for the development of more effective drugs and durable responses. This review will highlight the mechanisms exploited by CSCs to overcome different therapeutic strategies, from chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted therapies and immunotherapies, shedding light on their plasticity as an insidious trait responsible for their adaptation/escape. Finally, novel CSC-specific approaches will be described, providing evidence of their preclinical and clinical applications.
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