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Yang F, Yang Y, Qiu Y, Tang L, Xie L, Guan X. Long Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators for Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Immune Microenvironment: Biological Properties and Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:290. [PMID: 38254782 PMCID: PMC10814583 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is a subpopulation of cancer cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacity, have been suggested to give rise to tumor heterogeneity and biologically aggressive behavior. Accumulating evidence has shown that BCSCs play a fundamental role in tumorigenesis, progression, and recurrence. The development of immunotherapy, primarily represented by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, has greatly changed the treatment landscape of multiple malignancies. Recent studies have identified pervasive negative associations between cancer stemness and anticancer immunity. Stemness seems to play a causative role in the formation of cold tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). The multiple functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating stemness and immune responses has been recently highlighted in breast cancer. The review focus on lncRNAs and keys pathways involved in the regulation of BCSCs and TIME. Potential clinical applications using lncRNAs as biomarkers or therapies will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (F.Y.); (Y.Y.); (Y.Q.)
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yiqi Yang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (F.Y.); (Y.Y.); (Y.Q.)
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (F.Y.); (Y.Y.); (Y.Q.)
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Lin Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China;
| | - Li Xie
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (F.Y.); (Y.Y.); (Y.Q.)
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Guan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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Ye Y, Maroney KJ, Wiener HW, Mamaeva OA, Junkins AD, Burkholder GA, Sudenga SL, Khushman M, Al Diffalha S, Bansal A, Shrestha S. RNA-seq analysis identifies transcriptomic profiles associated with anal cancer recurrence among people living with HIV. Ann Med 2023; 55:2199366. [PMID: 37177979 PMCID: PMC10184583 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2199366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is the standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA), the most common type of anal cancer. However, approximately one fourth of patients still relapse after CRT. METHODS We used RNA-sequencing technology to characterize coding and non-coding transcripts in tumor tissues from CRT-treated SCCA patients and compare them between 9 non-recurrent and 3 recurrent cases. RNA was extracted from FFPE tissues. Library preparations for RNA-sequencing were created using SMARTer Stranded Total RNA-Seq Kit. All libraries were pooled and sequenced on a NovaSeq 6000. Function and pathway enrichment analysis was performed with Metascape and enrichment of gene ontology (GO) was performed with Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). RESULTS There were 449 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) observed (390 mRNA, 12 miRNA, 17 lincRNA and 18 snRNA) between the two groups. We identified a core of upregulated genes (IL4, CD40LG, ICAM2, HLA-I (HLA-A, HLA-C) and HLA-II (HLA-DQA1, HLA-DRB5) in the non-recurrent SCCA tissue enriching to the gene ontology term 'allograft rejection', which suggests a CD4+ T cell driven immune response. Conversely, in the recurrent tissues, keratin (KRT1, 10, 12, 20) and hedgehog signaling pathway (PTCH2) genes involved in 'Epidermis Development,', were significantly upregulated. We identified miR-4316, that inhibit tumor proliferation and migration by repressing vascular endothelial growth factors, as being upregulated in non-recurrent SCCA. On the contrary, lncRNA-SOX21-AS1, implicated in the progression of many other cancers, was also found to be more common in our recurrent compared to non-recurrent SCCA. Our study identified key host factors which may drive the recurrence of SCCA and warrants further studies to understand the mechanism and evaluate their potential use in personalized treatment.Key MessageOur study used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify pivotal factors in coding and non-coding transcripts which differentiate between patients at risk for recurrent anal cancer after treatment. There were 449 differentially expressed genes (390 mRNA, 12 miRNA, 17 lincRNA and 18 snRNA) between 9 non-recurrent and 3 recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of anus (SCCA) tissues. The enrichment of genes related to allograft rejection was observed in the non-recurrent SCCA tissues, while the enrichment of genes related to epidermis development was positively linked with recurrent SCCA tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfan Ye
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kevin J. Maroney
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Howard W. Wiener
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Olga A. Mamaeva
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anna D. Junkins
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Greer A. Burkholder
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Staci L. Sudenga
- Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mohd Khushman
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sameer Al Diffalha
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anju Bansal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sadeep Shrestha
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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Lu Z, Xu J, Cao B, Jin C. Long non-coding RNA SOX21-AS1: A potential tumor oncogene in human cancers. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 249:154774. [PMID: 37633003 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Emerging data have proposed that the aberrant level of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) is related to the onset and progression of cancer. Among them, lncRNA SOX21-AS1 was shown to upregulate and seem to be a novel oncogene in various cancer, including ovarian cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, osteosarcoma, and melanoma. Available data indicated that SRY-box transcription factor 21 antisense divergent transcript 1 (SOX21-AS1) mostly acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to inhibit the level of its target microRNAs (miRNAs), leading to upregulation of their targets. In addition, SOX21-AS1 is engaged in various signaling pathways like transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, Wnt signaling, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Moreover, this lncRNA was revealed to be correlated with the clinicopathological features of affected patients. SOX21-AS1 was also proved to enhance the resistance of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy. SOX21-AS1 is markedly associated with poor prognosis and low survival of patients, proposing that it may be a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in cancer. Overexpression of SOX21-AS1 is related to various cancer-related pathways, like epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. In this work, we aimed to discuss the biogenesis, function, and underlying molecular mechanism of SOX21-AS1 in cancer progression as well as its potential as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318020, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei 441021, China
| | - Binhao Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318020, China
| | - Chongqiang Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318020, China.
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Huang Y, Mo W, Ding X, Ding Y. Long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer stem cells. Med Oncol 2023; 40:177. [PMID: 37178429 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02046-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer, one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, is a heterogeneous disease with high rates of recurrence and metastasis that contribute to its high mortality rate. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small but significant subset of heterogeneous breast cancer cells that possess stem cell characteristics such as self-renewal and differentiation abilities that may drive metastasis and recurrence. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNAs that are longer than 200 nucleotides in length and do not possess protein-coding properties. An increasing number of studies have shown that some lncRNAs are abnormally expressed in BCSCs, and have great biological significance in the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of various cancers. However, the importance of lncRNAs, as well as the molecular mechanisms that regulate and promote the stemness of BCSCs, are still poorly understood. In the current review, we aim to summarize recent studies that highlight the role of lncRNAs in tumor occurrence and progression through BCSCs. In addition, the utility of lncRNAs as biomarkers of breast cancer progression, and their potential use as therapeutic targets for treatment of breast cancer, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Huang
- Department of Oncology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenju Mo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaowen Ding
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yuqin Ding
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310022, Zhejiang, China.
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Kashyap D, Sharma R, Goel N, Buttar HS, Garg VK, Pal D, Rajab K, Shaikh A. Coding roles of long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: Emerging molecular diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets with special reference to chemotherapy resistance. Front Genet 2023; 13:993687. [PMID: 36685962 PMCID: PMC9852779 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.993687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms have been depicted in several pathological consequence such as cancer. Different modes of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation (hypomethylation or hypermethylation of promotor), histone modifications, abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs), are discovered. Particularly, lncRNAs are known to exert pivot roles in different types of cancer including breast cancer. LncRNAs with oncogenic and tumour suppressive potential are reported. Differentially expressed lncRNAs contribute a remarkable role in the development of primary and acquired resistance for radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A wide range of molecular subtype specific lncRNAs have been assessed in breast cancer research. A number of studies have also shown that lncRNAs may be clinically used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Such molecular biomarkers have also been found in cancer stem cells of breast tumours. The objectives of the present review are to summarize the important roles of oncogenic and tumour suppressive lncRNAs for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, metastatic potential, and chemotherapy resistance across the molecular subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharambir Kashyap
- Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Riya Sharma
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neelam Goel
- Department of Information Technology, University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Harpal S. Buttar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vivek Kumar Garg
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, University Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, India,*Correspondence: Vivek Kumar Garg, ; Asadullah Shaikh,
| | - Deeksha Pal
- Department of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Khairan Rajab
- College of Computer Science and Information Systems, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asadullah Shaikh
- College of Computer Science and Information Systems, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Vivek Kumar Garg, ; Asadullah Shaikh,
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Sharma U, Tuli HS, Uttam V, Choudhary R, Sharma B, Sharma U, Prakash H, Jain A. Role of Hedgehog and Hippo signaling pathways in cancer: A special focus on non-coding RNAs. Pharmacol Res 2022; 186:106523. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Wang Q, Xu Y. Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs model in tumor immune microenvironment and prognostic value of cervical cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1065701. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1065701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading gynecological malignancy in females worldwide. Cuproptosis, a form of cell death induced by copper, elicits a novel therapeutic strategy in anticancer therapy. Nonetheless, the effects of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in CC remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, develop a risk model for prognostic prediction, and elucidate the immunological profile of CC. Transcription profiles and clinical follow-up data of CC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Afterward, the risk model was built by distinguishing prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. The correctness of the risk model was validated, and a nomogram was established followed by tumor immune microenvironment analysis. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores were used to assess immunotherapy response, and anticancer pharmaceutical half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction was performed for potential chemotherapy medicines. Finally, through coexpression analysis, 199 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were collected. A unique risk model was generated using 6 selected prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. The risk score performed a reliable independent prediction of CC survival with higher diagnostic effectiveness compared to generic clinical characteristics. Immunological cell infiltration investigation indicated that the risk model was substantially linked with CC patients’ immunology, and the low-risk patients had lower TIDE scores and increased checkpoint expression, suggesting a stronger immunotherapy response. Besides, the high-risk group exhibited distinct sensitivity to anticancer medications. The immune-related progression was connected to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between risk groups. Generally, the risk model comprised 6 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs that may help predict CC patients’ overall survival, indicate immunocyte infiltration, and identify individualized treatment.
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Advances in Biomarkers and Endogenous Regulation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192941. [PMID: 36230903 PMCID: PMC9562239 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Even if breast cancer patients initially respond to treatment, developed resistance can lead to a poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a group of undifferentiated cells with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation characteristics. Existing evidence has shown that CSCs are one of the determinants that contribute to the heterogeneity of primary tumors. The emergence of CSCs causes tumor recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Previous studies indicated that different stemness-associated surface markers can identify other breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) subpopulations. Deciphering the critical signaling networks that are involved in the induction and maintenance of stemness is essential to develop novel BCSC-targeting strategies. In this review, we reviewed the biomarkers of BCSCs, critical regulators of BCSCs, and the signaling networks that regulate the stemness of BCSCs.
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Regulation of the Cancer Stem Phenotype by Long Non-Coding RNAs. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152352. [PMID: 35954194 PMCID: PMC9367355 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are a cell population within malignant tumors that are characterized by the ability to self-renew, the presence of specific molecules that define their identity, the ability to form malignant tumors in vivo, resistance to drugs, and the ability to invade and migrate to other regions of the body. These characteristics are regulated by various molecules, such as lncRNAs, which are transcripts that generally do not code for proteins but regulate multiple biological processes through various mechanisms of action. LncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, H19, LncTCF7, LUCAT1, MALAT1, LINC00511, and FMR1-AS1, have been described as key regulators of stemness in cancer, allowing cancer cells to acquire this phenotype. It has been proposed that cancer stem cells are clinically responsible for the high recurrence rates after treatment and the high frequency of metastasis in malignant tumors, so understanding the mechanisms that regulate the stem phenotype could have an impact on the improvement of cancer treatments.
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Wu HJ, Chu PY. Epigenetic Regulation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells Contributing to Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158113. [PMID: 34360879 PMCID: PMC8348144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, breast cancer has remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women. Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous and phenotypically diverse group of diseases, which require different selection of treatments. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), a small subset of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties, play essential roles in breast cancer progression, recurrence, metastasis, chemoresistance and treatments. Epigenetics is defined as inheritable changes in gene expression without alteration in DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulation includes DNA methylation and demethylation, as well as histone modifications. Aberrant epigenetic regulation results in carcinogenesis. In this review, the mechanism of epigenetic regulation involved in carcinogenesis, therapeutic resistance and metastasis of BCSCs will be discussed, and finally, the therapies targeting these biomarkers will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Ju Wu
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua 500, Taiwan;
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Lukang Town, Changhua 505, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Chu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Health Food, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-975611855; Fax: +886-47227116
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Song K, Farzaneh M. Signaling pathways governing breast cancer stem cells behavior. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:245. [PMID: 33863385 PMCID: PMC8052733 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02321-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second common cancer and the leading cause of malignancy among females overall. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small population of breast cancer cells that play a critical role in the metastasis of breast cancer to other organs in the body. BCSCs have both self-renewal and differentiation capacities, which are thought to contribute to the aggressiveness of metastatic lesions. Therefore, targeting BCSCs can be a suitable approach for the treatment and metastasis of breast cancer. Growing evidence has indicated that the Wnt, NFκB, Notch, BMP2, STAT3, and hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways govern epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation, growth, and tumorigenesis of BCSCs in the primary regions. miRNAs as the central regulatory molecules also play critical roles in BCSC self-renewal, metastasis, and drug resistance. Hence, targeting these pathways might be a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy. This review discusses known signaling mechanisms involved in the stimulation or prevention of BCSC self-renewal, metastasis, and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Song
- Xuzhou Vocational College of Bioengineering, Xuzhou, 221006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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LncRNAs and microRNAs as Essential Regulators of Stemness in Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030380. [PMID: 33802575 PMCID: PMC7998729 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is an aggressive disease with a high incidence in women worldwide. Two decades ago, a controversial hypothesis was proposed that cancer arises from a subpopulation of “tumor initiating cells” or “cancer stem cells-like” (CSC). Today, CSC are defined as small subset of somatic cancer cells within a tumor with self-renewal properties driven by the aberrant expression of genes involved in the maintenance of a stemness-like phenotype. The understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of CSC subpopulation are fundamental in the development and persistence of breast cancer. Nowadays, the hypothesis suggests that genetic and epigenetic alterations give rise to breast cancer stem cells (bCSC), which are responsible for self-renewal, tumor growth, chemoresistance, poor prognosis and low survival in patients. However, the prominence of bCSC, as well as the molecular mechanisms that regulates and promotes the malignant phenotypes, are still poorly understood. The role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes has been recently highlighted by a plethora of studies in breast cancer. These ncRNAs positively or negatively impact on different signaling pathways that govern the cancer hallmarks associated with bCSC, making them attractive targets for therapy. In this review, we present a current summary of the studies on the pivotal roles of lncRNAs and microRNAs in the regulation of genes associated to stemness of bCSC.
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