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Zhu Z, Cao H, Yan H, Liu H, Hong Z, Sun A, Liu T, Mao F. Prognostic iron-metabolism signature robustly stratifies single-cell characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:929-941. [PMID: 38375529 PMCID: PMC10875160 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has shown to be a promising method in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but suboptimal responses in patients are attributed to cellular and molecular heterogeneity. Iron metabolism-related genes (IRGs) are important in maintaining immune system homeostasis and have the potential to help develop new strategies for HCC treatment. Herein, we constructed and validated the iron-metabolism gene prognostic index (IPX) using univariate Cox proportional hazards regression and LASSO Cox regression analysis, successfully categorizing HCC patients into two groups with distinct survival risks. Then, we performed single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, weighted correlation network analysis, gene ontology enrichment analysis, cellular lineage analysis, and SCENIC analysis to reveal the key determinants underlying the ability of this model based on bulk and single-cell transcriptomic data. We identified several driver transcription factors specifically activated in specific malignant cell sub-populations to contribute to the adverse survival outcomes in the IPX-high subgroup. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), T cells displayed significant diversity in their cellular characteristics and experienced changes in their developmental paths within distinct clusters identified by IPX. Interestingly, the proportion of Treg cells was increased in the high-risk group compared with the low-risk group. These results suggest that iron-metabolism could be involved in reshaping the TME, thereby disrupting the cell cycle of immune cells. This study utilized IRGs to construct a novel and reliable model, which can be used to assess the prognosis of patients with HCC and further clarify the molecular mechanisms of IRGs in HCC at single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Zhu
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Cancer Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huang Cao
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361100, China
| | - Hongyu Yan
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361100, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Hanzhi Liu
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Zaifa Hong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361103, China
| | - Anran Sun
- Oncology Research Center, Foresea Life Insurance Guangzhou General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511300, China
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Cancer Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fengbiao Mao
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
- Cancer Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Wang M, Wang X, Wang Y, Gai Y, Ye J, Xu X, You X. Advances in the study of the mechanism of action of miR‑22 in liver lesions (Review). Oncol Lett 2024; 28:541. [PMID: 39310022 PMCID: PMC11413475 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, nearly 2 million deaths annually are attributed to the development of liver diseases, with liver cancer and cirrhosis being particularly prominent, which makes liver disease a significant global health concern. Cirrhosis is closely linked to the evolution of hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and fatty liver. However, most liver diseases have an insidious onset, are challenging to treat and the prognosis and efficacy of current therapies are unsatisfactory, which can result in irreversible functional damage to the liver. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying liver disease and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In previous years, microRNAs (miRs), a class of short non-coding RNAs comprising 17-25 nucleotides, have attracted attention for their roles in various types of liver diseases. Among them, miR-22 serves a unique role in mediating multiple pathway mechanisms and epigenetic modifications and can act both as an inhibitor of liver cancer and a metabolic blocker. Given its close association with the liver, several studies have reported that the differential expression of miR-22 regulates the metabolic process of liver cancer and is involved in the evolution of hepatic fibrosis and steatohepatitis, making it a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment. The present manuscript aimed to comprehensively review the key role of miR-22 in the evolution of liver diseases and offer valuable references and guidance for subsequent studies by identifying its specific mechanism of action and future development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghe Wang
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Xuejing Wang
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Yanqi Wang
- College of Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Yikuo Gai
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Jingran Ye
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Xinyan Xu
- College of Second Clinical Medical, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Xue You
- Lin He's Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
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Guo Z, Yao Z, Huang B, Wu D, Li Y, Chen X, Lu Y, Wang L, Lv W. MAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring the potent combination of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112821. [PMID: 39088919 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally, and with the prevalence of metabolic-related diseases, the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) related hepatocellular carcinoma (MAFLD-HCC) continues to rise with the limited efficacy of conventional treatments, which has created a major challenge for HCC surveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and molecularly targeted drugs offer new hope for advanced MAFLD-HCC, but the evidence for the use of both types of therapy in this type of tumour is still insufficient. Theoretically, the combination of immunotherapy, which awakens the body's anti-tumour immunity, and targeted therapies, which directly block key molecular events driving malignant progression in HCC, is expected to produce synergistic effects. In this review, we will discuss the progress of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy in MAFLD-HCC and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Guo
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Ziang Yao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University People 's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Bohao Huang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100105, China
| | - Dongjie Wu
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yanbo Li
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanping Lu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518100, China.
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
| | - Wenliang Lv
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
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Feng Z, Cao K, Sun H, Liu X. SEH1L siliencing induces ferroptosis and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression via ATF3/HMOX1/GPX4 axis. Apoptosis 2024; 29:1723-1737. [PMID: 39095556 PMCID: PMC11416379 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-02009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
SEH1 like nucleoporin (SEH1L) is an important component of nuclear pore complex (NPC), which is crucial in the regulation of cell division. However, the interrelation between SEH1L expression and tumor progression is less studied. In this research, we performed a systematic bioinformatic analysis about SEH1L using TCGA, Timer 2.0, Cbioportal, UCLAN and CellMiner™ databases in pan-cancer. Besides, we further validated the bioinformatic results through in vitro and in vivo experiments in HCC, including transcriptome sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), cell proliferation assays, clone formation, EdU, transwell, flow cytometry and subcutaneous tumor model. Our results suggested that SEH1L was significantly up-regulated and related to poor prognosis in most cancers, and may serve as a potential biomarker. SEH1L could promote HCC progression in vitro and in vivo. Besides, the next generation sequencing suggested that 684 genes was significantly up-regulated and 678 genes was down-regulated after the knock down of SEH1L. SEH1L siliencing could activate ATF3/HMOX1/GPX4 axis, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential and GSH, but increase ROS and MDA, and these effects could be reversed by the knock down of ATF3. This study indicated that SEH1L siliencing could induce ferroptosis and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression via ATF3/HMOX1/GPX4 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Feng
- Postdoctoral Station of Medical Aspects of Specific Environments, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Ke Cao
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Haojia Sun
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Xuewen Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, P.R. China.
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Ning L, Tian Y, Chen D, Han J, Xie G, Sun J. Sorafenib safety evaluation: Real-world analysis of adverse events from the FAERS database. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37348. [PMID: 39309940 PMCID: PMC11416516 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sorafenib is approved for the targeted therapy of cancers such as liver cancer and renal cancer. Given its widespread use, drug-related adverse events have received attention, and the post-marketing regulatory link is crucial. Objective By using the FAERS database to mine the adverse events (AEs) related to sorafenib, comparing the association intensity of key AEs, and exploring potential drug-related AEs, it provides a reference for clinical medication. Methods Collect ADE data related to sorafenib in the FAERS database from 2006 to 2023. Standardize the data, and map adverse events to system organ classes and preferred terms. Analyze using various signal quantification techniques such as ROR, PRR, BCPNN, and MGPS. Results Among 18,520 adverse event reports (AERs) where sorafenib was the primary suspected drug, a total of 390 preferred terms (PTs) of adverse reactions were identified, covering 24 different system organ classes (SOCs). Specifically, the adverse events of sorafenib mainly involve the digestive system, skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as non-specific physical discomfort including infection and injury. Among them, digestive system symptoms and skin toxicity are typical adverse reactions of sorafenib. We also observed uncommon but clearly strong AE signals, such as chloracne (n = 3, ROR 1756.39, PRR 1756.32, IC 8.78, EBGM 439.83), low-differentiated thyroid cancer (n = 4, ROR 585.47, PRR 585.44, IC 8.2, EBGM 293.22). It is worth noting that palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (n = 2109, ROR 73.98, PRR 72.03, IC 6.01, EBGM 64.25) and hepatic encephalopathy (n = 457, ROR 37.44, PRR 37.23, IC 5.13, EBGM 35.07) have a higher incidence and signal intensity. In addition, we also observed some adverse events not mentioned in the official drug instructions, such as vitamin K deficiency or increased protein induced by antagonist II (PIVKA-II), abnormal alpha-fetoprotein, tumor metastasis, and splenic atrophy. Conclusion Sorafenib carries the risk of various adverse reactions while providing therapeutic effects. In clinical applications, physicians should closely monitor the occurrence of digestive system reactions, skin lesions, endocrine system lesions, as well as injuries, infections, and other events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ning
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Di Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Han
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Guanyue Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jianguang Sun
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Zhou X, Chen Z, Yu Y, Li M, Cao Y, Prochownik EV, Li Y. Increases in 4-Acetaminobutyric Acid Generated by Phosphomevalonate Kinase Suppress CD8 + T Cell Activation and Allow Tumor Immune Escape. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2403629. [PMID: 39325640 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Certain metabolites in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can alter innate immunity. Here, it is shown how phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK) allows hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to overcome the anti-tumor immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells. In HCCs, depletion of PMVK is required to facilitate CD8+ T cell activation and their subsequent suppression of tumor growth. Mechanistically, PMVK phosphorylates and stabilizes glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD1), thus increasing the synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which normally functions as a neurotransmitter. However, PMVK also recruits acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) and allows it to convert GABA, to 4-acetaminobutyric acid (4-Ac-GABA), which is released into the TME. There, 4-Ac-GABA activates the GABAA receptor (GABAAR) on CD8+ T cells, which inhibits AKT1 signaling. This in turn suppresses CD8+ T cell activation, intratumoral infiltration, and the anti-tumor response. Inhibiting PMVK or GABAAR in HCC mouse models overcomes resistance to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy. These findings reveal non-canonical and cooperative functions among the key metabolic enzymes PMVK, GAD1, and ACAT1 that reprogram glutamine metabolism to synthesize a potent CD8+ T cell inhibitor 4-Ac-GABA. Blocking 4-Ac-GABA signaling in CD8+ T cells, particularly when combined with immune checkpoint inhibition, potentially represents a new and potent form of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yijiang Yu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Mengjiao Li
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Edward V Prochownik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Pittsburgh Liver Research Center and The Hillman Cancer Center of UPMC, The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, USA
| | - Youjun Li
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Bao G, Wei H, Yan J, Li Y, Xue C, Fu R, Zhang M, Ding J, He H, Yu D, Yang F, Sun B. HOXA9 promotes proliferation, metastasis and prevents apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:422. [PMID: 39292289 PMCID: PMC11410850 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This research aimed to evaluate the expression level of Homeobox A9 (HOXA9) and its role in tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Bioinformatic analysis, qPCR and Western blot analysis of clinical samples were employed to evaluate mRNA and protein levels of HOXA9 in HCC patients and cell lines. In vitro cell proliferation, migration and invasion, cloning formation, xenograft tumor model, wound healing and apoptosis assays, RNA sequencing analysis of RPL38-silenced HCC-LM3 cells and qPCR, Western blot analysis were performed for validation. Analysis of HOXA9-related genes were conducted to identify their relationships between HOXA9. RESULTS HOXA9 is dramatically upregulated in HCC. Upregulation of HOXA9 in HCC predicts poor survival of patients. Besides, HOXA9 promotes proliferation, metastasis and prevents apoptosis in HCC in vitro. In addition, HOXA9 controlled by Ribosomal protein RPL38 is upregulated in HCC. Bioinformatic analysis also indicated that HOXA9 is involved in the regulation of DNA methylation and immune infiltration in HCC. CONCLUSION HOXA9 is dramatically upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and predicts poor prognosis. Besides, HOXA9 promoted proliferation and metastasis and prevented apoptosis in vitro, which is regulated by Ribosomal protein RPL38 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guojian Bao
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Haowei Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jiawu Yan
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yunzheng Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Cailin Xue
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rao Fu
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Minglu Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jialu Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hengqian He
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Ningbo Branch), Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Decai Yu
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Beicheng Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing , 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei , 230022, Anhui Province, China.
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Zheng W, Huang Y, Wu Q, Cheng P, Song Y, Wang B, Huang Q, Hu S. Poly(lactic acid hydroxyacetic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-modified ginsenoside Rg3 nanomedicine enhances anti-tumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2024:1-13. [PMID: 39259031 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2024.2402769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research aims to improve the bioavailability and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) efficacy of Ginsenoside Rg3 by modification with poly (lactic acid hydroxyacetic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG). METHODS PLGA-PEG-Rg3 was obtained by emulsification and evaluated it physiochemical characterization by FTIR, SEM, laser particle-size analyzer and HPLC. The effect of the PLGA-PEG-Rg3 and Rg3 on HepG2 cells was compared in vitro studies, including cell proliferation, transwell and a series of apoptosis detection, and in-situ HCC model. RESULTS The PLGA-PEG-Rg3 were 122 nm in size and 0.112 in polydispersity index with sustained release profile in vitro. Compared to Rg3, PLGA-PEG-Rg3 was more effective in suppressing HepG2 growth and inducing apoptosis by the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in vitro. And PLGA-PEG modification enhanced the liver-targeting ability and drug circulation time of Rg3 in vivo, resulting in PLGA-PEG-Rg3 possessing superior performance in inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging the survival time of tumor-bearing mice than Rg3. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results showed PLGA-PEG-Rg3 enhanced the anti-tumor effect of Rg3 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zheng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuqiao Huang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Center for Modern Physics Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Pu Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yujun Song
- Center for Modern Physics Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ben Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shen Hu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Zhang W, Zhou X, Lin L, Lin A, Cheng Q, Liu Z, Luo P, Zhang J. Development and validation of a novel immune‒metabolic-Based classifier for hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37327. [PMID: 39296052 PMCID: PMC11407989 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of immune cells and metabolic pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients has not been fully elucidated, leading to diverse clinical outcomes. Accurately distinguishing different HCC subtypes and recommending appropriate treatments is are highly important. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 28 immune cells and 85 metabolic pathways in the TCGA-LIHC and GSE14520 datasets. Metabolism-related first principal component (MRPC1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration were used to assess the metabolic and immune infiltration levels of HCC patients, respectively. These two quantifiable indicators were then used to construct an immune‒metabolic classifier, which categorized HCC patients into three distinct groups. The potential biological mechanisms were explored through multiomics analysis, revealing that group S1 exhibited high metabolic activity and a high level of immune infiltration, that group S2 presented a low level of immune infiltration, and that group S3 presented low metabolic activity. This new immune‒metabolic classifier was well validated in a pancancer cohort of 9296 patients. The efficacy of multiple treatment approaches was assessed in relation to different immune‒metabolic groups, indicating that group S1 patients may benefit from immunotherapy, that group S2 patients are suitable for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and that group S3 patients are appropriate candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In conclusion, this immune‒metabolic classifier is anticipated to address the differences in treatment efficacy among HCC patients due to the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment, and to help refine the individualized treatment choices for clinical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenda Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Lin
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhao J, Zhang H, Shi L, Jia Y, Sheng H. Detection and quantification of microplastics in various types of human tumor tissues. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 283:116818. [PMID: 39083862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in various human tissues. However, whether MPs can accumulate within tumors and how they affect the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and therapeutic responses remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the presence of MPs in tumors and their potential effects on the TIME. Sixty-one tumor samples were collected for analysis. The presence of MPs in tumors was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MPs were detected in 26 of the samples examined. Three types of MPs were identified: polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. In lung, gastric, colorectal, and cervical tumors, the MP detection rates were 80 %, 40 %, 50 %, and 17 % (7.1-545.9 ng/g), respectively. MPs were detected in 70 % of pancreatic tumors (18.4-427.1 ng/g) but not detected in esophageal tumors. In pancreatic cancer, the MP-infiltrated TIME exhibited a reduction in CD8+ T, natural killer, and dendritic cell counts, accompanied by substantial neutrophil infiltration. This study illustrates the potential presence of MPs in diverse tumors; varying adhesive affinities were observed among different tumor types. MPs may lead to a more adverse TIME in pancreatic tumors. Further investigations are warranted to assess whether MPs promote tumor progression and affect the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Reproductive Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongshi Jia
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hailong Sheng
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Duan ZW, Liu Y, Zhang PP, Hu JY, Mo ZX, Liu WQ, Ma X, Zhou XH, Wang XH, Hu XH, Wei SL. Da-Chai-Hu-Tang Formula inhibits the progression and metastasis in HepG2 cells through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/STAT3-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118293. [PMID: 38705430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Da-Chai-Hu-Tang (DCHT), a Chinese traditional herbal compound, has been utilized for the treatment of Hepatic diseases in China for over 1800 years. The DCHT formula contains eight herbals: Bupleurum chinense DC. (chaihu), Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (huangqin), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (baishao), Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino (banxia), Rheum officinale Baill. (dahuang), Citrus × aurantium L. (zhishi), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (shengjiang), Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (dazao). Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of DCHT in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its ability to enhance the immunity of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 20 Chinese articles have been published on the use of DCHT in treating HCC. AIM OF THE STUDY The study aimed to validate the effect of DCHT in HCC cells and to identify related targets (TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3) in treating HCC by DCHT in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell proliferation and migration were investigated in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Apoptotic bodies in HepG2 cells were observed using a confocal microscope. Biochemical detection was employed to analyze LDH release, MDA levels, and SOD levels. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict core targets between DCHT and HCC, as well as potential signaling pathways. The protein levels of metastasis-associated, apoptosis, and PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, and STAT3 were further determined through Western blotting. RESULTS Following treatment with DCHT, the inhibition of viability, migration, and G2/M arrest was observed in HepG2 cells. Flow cytometry analysis and Morphological apoptosis studies provided evidence that DCHT could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Biochemical detection revealed that DCHT could increase LDH release and the level of MDA, and inhibit the viability of the SOD. Bioinformatics analysis identified key targets such as TP53, AKT1, BCL2, STAT3. The PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway emerged as a critical pathway in the KEGG enrichment analysis. Western blotting results indicated that DCHT could enhance the expression of E-cadherin, p53, and Bax, while reducing the content of N-cadherin, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT1, and STAT3. CONCLUSIONS The results proved that DCHT could inhibit the progression and metastasis of HCC by regulating the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, p53, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, and STAT3 through the PI3K/AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Duan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Pei-Pei Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Jing-Yan Hu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Zhi-Xin Mo
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Wen-Qing Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Xin Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Xiao-Hui Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Xiao-Hui Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China; Engineering Research Center of Good Agricultural Practice for Chinese Crude Drugs, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100102, China.
| | - Xiu-Hua Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China; Engineering Research Center of Good Agricultural Practice for Chinese Crude Drugs, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100102, China.
| | - Sheng-Li Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China; Engineering Research Center of Good Agricultural Practice for Chinese Crude Drugs, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100102, China.
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12
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Tong W, Wang T, Bai Y, Yang X, Han P, Zhu L, Zhang Y, Shen Z. Spatial transcriptomics reveals tumor-derived SPP1 induces fibroblast chemotaxis and activation in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment. J Transl Med 2024; 22:840. [PMID: 39267037 PMCID: PMC11391636 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05613-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts profound effects on tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the TME is enriched with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which secrete a plethora of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that facilitate tumor cell proliferation and invasion. However, the intricate architecture of the TME in HCC, as well as the mechanisms driving interactions between tumor cells and CAFs, remains largely enigmatic. METHODS We analyzed 10 spatial transcriptomics and 12 single-cell transcriptomics samples sourced from public databases, complemented by 20 tumor tissue samples from liver cancer patients obtained in a clinical setting. RESULTS Our findings reveal that tumor cells exhibiting high levels of SPP1 are preferentially localized adjacent to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The SPP1 secreted by these tumor cells interacts with the CD44 receptor on HSCs, thereby activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which promotes the differentiation of HSCs into CAFs. Notably, blockade of the CD44 receptor effectively abrogates this interaction. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrate that silencing SPP1 expression in tumor cells significantly impairs HSC differentiation into CAFs, leading to a reduction in tumor volume and collagen deposition within the tumor stroma. CONCLUSIONS This study delineates the SPP1-CD44 signaling axis as a pivotal mechanism underpinning the interaction between tumor cells and CAFs. Targeting this pathway holds potential to mitigate liver fibrosis and offers novel therapeutic perspectives for liver cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Tong
- The First Central Clinical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Tianze Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yi Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xingpeng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Pinsheng Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Liuyang Zhu
- The First Central Clinical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yamin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| | - Zhongyang Shen
- Organ Transplantation Centre, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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13
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Zhao YC, Li YF, Qiu L, Jin SZ, Shen YN, Zhang CH, Cui J, Wang TJ. SQLE-a promising prognostic biomarker in cervical cancer: implications for tumor malignant behavior, cholesterol synthesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune infiltration. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:1133. [PMID: 39261819 PMCID: PMC11389260 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12897-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer, encompassing squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), presents a considerable risk to the well-being of women. Recent studies have reported that squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is overexpressed in several cancers, which contributes to cancer development. METHODS RNA sequencing data for SQLE were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. In vitro experiments, including colorimetry, colony formation, Transwell, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were performed. Furthermore, a transplanted CESC nude mouse model was constructed to validate the tumorigenic activity of SQLE in vivo. Associations among the SQLE expression profiles, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), immune infiltration, and chemosensitivity were examined. The prognostic value of genetic changes and DNA methylation in SQLE were also assessed. RESULTS SQLE mRNA expression was significantly increased in CESC. ROC analysis revealed the strong diagnostic ability of SQLE toward CESC. Patients with high SQLE expression experienced shorter overall survival. The promotional effects of SQLE on cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, cholesterol synthesis, and EMT were emphasized. DEGs functional enrichment analysis revealed the signaling pathways and biological processes. Notably, a connection existed between the SQLE expression and the presence of immune cells as well as the activation of immune checkpoints. Increased SQLE expressions exhibited increased chemotherapeutic responses. SQLE methylation status was significantly associated with CESC prognosis. CONCLUSION SQLE significantly affects CESC prognosis, malignant behavior, cholesterol synthesis, EMT, and immune infiltration; thereby offering diagnostic and indicator roles in CESC. Thus, SQLE can be a novel therapeutic target in CESC treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/immunology
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/mortality
- Female
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics
- Animals
- Prognosis
- Squalene Monooxygenase/genetics
- Squalene Monooxygenase/metabolism
- Mice
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cholesterol/metabolism
- Mice, Nude
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- DNA Methylation
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/pathology
- Adenocarcinoma/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Chen Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Zi-qiang Street, Nan-guan District, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Zi-qiang Street, Nan-guan District, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Zi-qiang Street, Nan-guan District, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China
| | - Shun-Zi Jin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, PR China
| | - Yan-Nan Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, PR China
| | - Chao-He Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Zi-qiang Street, Nan-guan District, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China
| | - Tie-Jun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Zi-qiang Street, Nan-guan District, Changchun, Jilin, 130041, PR China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, PR China.
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Liu Y, Yang H, Li T, Zhang N. Immunotherapy in liver cancer: overcoming the tolerogenic liver microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1460282. [PMID: 39295859 PMCID: PMC11409253 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1460282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a major global health concern, ranking among the top causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in medical research, the prognosis for liver cancer remains poor, largely due to the inherent limitations of current therapies. Traditional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often fail to provide long-term remission and are associated with significant side effects. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer treatment, leveraging the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. However, its application in liver cancer has been limited. One of the primary challenges is the liver's unique immune microenvironment, which can inhibit the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic agents. This immune microenvironment creates a barrier, leading to drug resistance and reducing the overall efficacy of treatment. Recent studies have focused on understanding the immunological landscape of liver cancer to develop strategies that can overcome these obstacles. By identifying the specific factors within the liver that contribute to immune suppression and drug resistance, researchers aim to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Prospective strategies include combining immunotherapy with other treatments, using targeted therapies to modulate the immune microenvironment, and developing new agents that can bypass or counteract the inhibitory mechanisms in the liver. These advancements hold promise for improving outcomes in liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanju Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Hongyuan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Tian Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
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15
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Wang Q, Zhang Z, Zhou H, Qin Y, He J, Li L, Ding X. Eosinophil-Associated Genes are Potential Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis. J Cancer 2024; 15:5605-5621. [PMID: 39308686 PMCID: PMC11414626 DOI: 10.7150/jca.95138] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell originating from the bone marrow, are widely believed to play a crucial role in inflammatory processes, including allergic reactions and parasitic infections. However, the relationship between eosinophils and liver cancer is not well understood. Methods: Tumor immune infiltration scores were calculated using single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). Key modules and hub genes associated with eosinophils were screened using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, along with LASSO regression, were used to identify prognostic genes and create a risk model. The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score was used to evaluate the immunotherapeutic significance of the eosinophil-associated gene risk score (ERS) model. Experiments such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemical analysis, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting were used to determine gene expression levels and the status of eosinophil infiltration in tumors. Results: A risk trait model including 4 eosinophil-associated genes (RAMP3, G6PD, SSRP1, PLOD2) was developed by univariate Cox analysis and Lasso screening. Pathologic grading (p < 0.001) and model risk scores (p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient survival. Western blotting revealed higher levels of eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) in HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry showed that eosinophils mainly infiltrated the connective tissue around HCC. The HCC samples showed low expression of RAMP3 and high expression of G6PD, SSRP1, and PLOD2, as detected by IHC and RT-qPCR analysis. The in vivo mouse experiments showed that IL-33 treatment induced the recruitment of eosinophils and reduced the number of intrahepatic tumor nodules. Conclusion: Overall, eosinophil infiltration in HCC is significantly correlated with patient survival. The risk assessment model based on eosinophil-related genes serves as a reliable clinical prognostic indicator and provides insights for precise treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghao Wang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Zixin Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yanling Qin
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Jun He
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410007, China
| | - Limin Li
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- College of Engineering and Design, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Xiaofeng Ding
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
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16
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Wu Q, Li P, Tao X, Lin N, Mao B, Xie X. A novel super-enhancer-related risk model for predicting prognosis and guiding personalized treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:1087. [PMID: 39223584 PMCID: PMC11370013 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12874-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our research endeavored to develop a robust predictive signature grounded in super-enhancer-related genes (SERGs), with the dual objectives of forecasting survival outcomes and evaluating the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS HCC RNA-sequencing data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and 365 patients were randomly assigned to training or testing sets in 1:1 ratio. SERGs of HCC were downloaded from Super-Enhancer Database (SEdb). On the basis of training set, a SERGs signature was identified, and its prognostic value was confirmed by internal and external validation (GSE14520) sets. We subsequently examined the model for potential functional enrichment and the degree of tumor immune infiltration. Additionally, we carried out in vitro experiments to delve into the biological functions of CBX2 gene. RESULTS An SE-related prognostic model including CBX2, TPX2, EFNA3, DNASE1L3 and SOCS2 was established and validated. According to this risk model, patients in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis, and their immune cell infiltration was significantly different from that of low-risk group. Moreover, the high-risk group exhibited a significant enrichment of tumor-associated pathological pathways. The SERGs signature can generally be utilized to screen HCC patients who are likely to respond to immunotherapy, as there is a positive correlation between the risk score and the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score. Furthermore, the downregulation of the CBX2 gene expression was found to inhibit HCC cell viability, migration, and cell cycle progression, while simultaneously promoting apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS We developed a novel HCC prognostic model utilizing SERGs, indicating that patients with high-risk score not only face a poorer prognosis but also may exhibit a diminished therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This model is designed to tailor personalized treatment strategies to the individual needs of each patient, thereby improving the overall clinical outcomes for HCC patients. Furthermore, CBX2 is a promising candidate for therapeutic intervention in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Xuan Tao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Forces of Chinese PLA, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - BinBin Mao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
| | - Xianhe Xie
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Department of Oncology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Cancer, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
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17
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Hsu HT, Lin YM, Hsing MT, Yeh KT, Lu JW, Yang SF. Cytoplasmic Expression of the EGFL6 Protein Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Shortened Patient Survival in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In Vivo 2024; 38:2455-2463. [PMID: 39187367 PMCID: PMC11363759 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of the epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 6 (EGFL6) expression in HCC and to evaluate whether the expression of EGFL6 in HCC has diagnostic and prognostic significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study aimed to investigate EGFL6 protein expression levels in 260 HCC tissue specimens using immunohistochemical analyses. The immunohistochemical study demonstrated strong EGFL6 expression in the cytoplasm of non-tumor or normal hepatocytes. RESULTS The findings revealed that 98 patients exhibited low EGFL6 expression, while 162 patients displayed high EGFL6 expression. We explored the associations between cytoplasmic EGFL6 expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC. Decreased cytoplasmic EGFL6 expression exhibited significant correlations with worse cellular differentiation, higher T classification, vascular invasion, higher stage, and tumor recurrence. Survival analyses, using Kaplan-Meier survival curves for HCC patients, revealed that those with reduced cytoplasmic EGFL6 expression experienced significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified EGFL6 as an independent predictor for decreased expression, differentiation grade, vascular invasion, stage, or recurrence in cases of DFS or DSS in HCC. CONCLUSION This study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first investigation into the expression of EGFL6 protein in HCC. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that EGFL6 likely plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HCC and indicates that targeting EGFL6 could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yueh-Min Lin
- Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming-Tai Hsing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kun-Tu Yeh
- Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jeng-Wei Lu
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet/National University Hospital, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.;
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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18
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Fujii T, Kuzuya T, Kondo N, Funasaka K, Ohno E, Hirooka Y, Tochio T. Altered intestinal Streptococcus anginosus and 5α-reductase gene levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated Bacteroides stercoris in atezolizumab/bevacizumab non-responders. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 39240069 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide.Gap statement. Monitoring of HCC and predicting its immunotherapy responses are challenging.Aim. This study explored the potential of the gut microbiome for HCC monitoring and predicting HCC immunotherapy responses.Methods. DNA samples were collected from the faeces of 22 patients with HCC treated with atezolizumab/bevacizumab (Atz/Bev) and 85 healthy controls. The gut microbiome was analysed using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR).Results. The microbiomes of patients with HCC demonstrated significant enrichment of Lactobacillus, particularly Lactobacillus fermentum, and Streptococcus, notably Streptococcus anginosus. Comparative analysis between Atz/Bev responders (R) and non-responders (NR) revealed a higher abundance of Bacteroides stercoris in the NR group and Bacteroides coprocola in the R group. Using qPCR analysis, we observed elevated levels of S. anginosus and reduced levels of 5α-reductase genes, essential for the synthesis of isoallolithocholic acid, in HCC patients compared to controls. Additionally, the analysis confirmed a significantly lower abundance of B. stercoris in the Atz/Bev R group relative to the NR group.Conclusions. The gut microbiome analysis and specific gene quantification via qPCR could provide a rapid, less invasive, and cost-effective approach for assessing the increased risk of HCC, monitoring patient status, and predicting immunotherapy responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Fujii
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Medical Research on Prebiotics and Probiotics, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- BIOSIS Lab. Co. Ltd., Aichi, Japan
| | - Teiji Kuzuya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Kohei Funasaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Eizaburo Ohno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Medical Research on Prebiotics and Probiotics, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- BIOSIS Lab. Co. Ltd., Aichi, Japan
| | - Takumi Tochio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Medical Research on Prebiotics and Probiotics, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- BIOSIS Lab. Co. Ltd., Aichi, Japan
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Wang X, Sun X, Lei Y, Fang L, Wang Y, Feng K, Xia F. The efficacy and safety of Radiofrequency ablation combined with Lenvatinib plus Sintilimab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a real-world study. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:1036. [PMID: 39174912 PMCID: PMC11340044 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12779-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has improved the clinical outcomes of unresectable hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). However, the overall prognosis remains suboptimal. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with lenvatinib plus sintilimab in unresectable HCC. METHODS In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with unresectable HCC were included and divided into two cohorts: RFA combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab (R-L-S group) and lenvatinib plus sintilimab (L-S group). The primary efficacy endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS). Adverse events were analyzed to assess the safety profiles. RESULTS The median follow-up periods for the entire cohort were 14.0 months. The R-L-S group (n = 60) had a significantly higher ORR than those with L-S alone (n = 62) (40.0% vs. 20.9%; p = 0.022). Moreover, patients in the R-L-S group had improved median PFS (12 vs. 8 months; p = 0.013) and median overall survival (24 vs. 18 months; p = 0.037), as compared with lenvatinib and sintilimab alone. No significant difference in treatment related adverse event (TRAE) of any grade between the two groups. The most common TRAEs of grade ≥ 3 were fatigue 10.0% (6/60) and hand-foot skin reaction 10.0% (6/60) in the R-L-S group and hand-foot skin reaction 11.3% (7/62) in the L-S group. CONCLUSION In unresectable HCC patients, the incorporation of RFA to lenvatinib plus sintilimab demonstrated improved efficacy without compromising safety compared with lenvatinib plus sintilimab alone.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery
- Quinolines/therapeutic use
- Quinolines/administration & dosage
- Quinolines/adverse effects
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/surgery
- Liver Neoplasms/mortality
- Male
- Female
- Phenylurea Compounds/administration & dosage
- Phenylurea Compounds/therapeutic use
- Phenylurea Compounds/adverse effects
- Middle Aged
- Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Radiofrequency Ablation/methods
- Radiofrequency Ablation/adverse effects
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- Adult
- Treatment Outcome
- Aged, 80 and over
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Affiliation(s)
- Xishu Wang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ximin Sun
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yongrong Lei
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lingyan Fang
- Department of Surgical Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuedi Wang
- Outpatient Department, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Kai Feng
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Feng Xia
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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20
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Shen LS, Lin Z, Gong RH, Lin YS, Qiao XF, Hu QM, Qin WH, Chen S, Yang Y, Chen GQ. β,β-Dimethylacrylalkannin, a Natural Naphthoquinone, Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophages. Molecules 2024; 29:3919. [PMID: 39202998 PMCID: PMC11357245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), influencing various stages from initiation to metastasis. Understanding the role of TAMs in HCC is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Macrophages exhibit plasticity, resulting in M1 and M2 phenotypes, with M1 macrophages displaying antitumor properties and M2 macrophages promoting tumor progression. Targeting TAMs to alter their polarization could offer new avenues for HCC treatment. β,β-dimethylacrylalkannin (DMAKN), a natural naphthoquinone, has gained attention for its antitumor properties. However, its impact on TAMs modulation remains unclear. This study investigates DMAKN's modulation of TAMs and its anti-HCC activity. Using an in vitro model with THP-1 cells, we induced M1 macrophages with LPS/IFN-γ and M2 macrophages with IL-4/IL-13, confirming polarization with specific markers. Co-culturing these macrophages with HCC cells showed that M1 cells inhibited HCC growth, while M2 cells promoted it. Screening for non-toxic DMAKN concentrations revealed its ability to induce M1 polarization and enhance LPS/IFN-γ-induced M1 macrophages, both showing anti-HCC effects. Conversely, DMAKN suppressed IL-4/IL-13-induced M2 polarization, inhibiting M2 macrophages' promotion of HCC cell viability. In summary, DMAKN induces and enhances M1 polarization while inhibiting M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby inhibiting HCC cell growth. These findings suggest that DMAKN has the potential to regulate TAMs in HCC, offering promise for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Sha Shen
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China (Y.Y.)
- Sichuan–Chongqing Joint Key Laboratory of Innovation of New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Zesi Lin
- Southern Medical University of Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Rui-Hong Gong
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 999077, China (S.C.)
| | - Yu-Shan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Xing-Fang Qiao
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China (Y.Y.)
- Sichuan–Chongqing Joint Key Laboratory of Innovation of New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Qian-Mei Hu
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China (Y.Y.)
- Sichuan–Chongqing Joint Key Laboratory of Innovation of New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Wei-Han Qin
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China (Y.Y.)
- Sichuan–Chongqing Joint Key Laboratory of Innovation of New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Sibao Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 999077, China (S.C.)
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China (Y.Y.)
- Sichuan–Chongqing Joint Key Laboratory of Innovation of New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Guo-Qing Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 999077, China (S.C.)
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong 999077, China
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21
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Hefnawy A, Abdelhamid AS, Abdelaziz MM, Elzoghby AO, Khalil IA. Recent advances in nano-based drug delivery systems for treatment of liver cancer. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00313-7. [PMID: 39151795 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the aggressive primary tumors as evident by high rate of incidence and mortality. Conventional treatments (e.g. chemotherapy) suffer from various drawbacks including wide drug distribution, low localized drug concentration, and severe off-site toxicity. Therefore, they cannot satisfy the mounting need for safe and efficient cancer therapeutics, and alternative novel strategies are needed. Nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) are among these novel approaches that can improve the overall therapeutic outcomes. NDDSs are designed to encapsulate drug molecules and target them specifically to liver cancer. Thus, NDDSs can selectively deliver therapeutic agents to the tumor cells and avoid distribution to off-target sites which should improve the safety profile of the active agents. Nonetheless, NDDSs should be well designed, in terms of the preparing materials, nanocarriers structure, and the targeting strategy, in order to accomplish these objectives. This review discusses the latest advances of NDDSs for cancer therapy with emphasis on the aforementioned essential design components. The review also entails the challenges associated with the clinical translation of NDDSs, and the future perspectives towards next-generation NDDSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Hefnawy
- Smyth Lab, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Ahmed S Abdelhamid
- Cancer Nanotechnology Research Laboratory (CNRL), Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
| | - Moustafa M Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
| | - Ahmed O Elzoghby
- Cancer Nanotechnology Research Laboratory (CNRL), Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt; Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt; Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Islam A Khalil
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City 12582, Giza, Egypt.
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22
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Fu Y, Guo X, Sun L, Cui T, Wu C, Wang J, Liu Y, Liu L. Exploring the role of the immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Implications for immunotherapy and drug resistance. eLife 2024; 13:e95009. [PMID: 39146202 PMCID: PMC11326777 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver tumor, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the incidence of liver cancer is still increasing worldwide. Curative hepatectomy or liver transplantation is only indicated for a small population of patients with early-stage HCC. However, most patients with HCC are not candidates for radical resection due to disease progression, leading to the choice of the conventional tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug sorafenib as first-line treatment. In the past few years, immunotherapy, mainly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized the clinical strategy for HCC. Combination therapy with ICIs has proven more effective than sorafenib, and clinical trials have been conducted to apply these therapies to patients. Despite significant progress in immunotherapy, the molecular mechanisms behind it remain unclear, and immune resistance is often challenging to overcome. Several studies have pointed out that the complex intercellular communication network in the immune microenvironment of HCC regulates tumor escape and drug resistance to immune response. This underscores the urgent need to analyze the immune microenvironment of HCC. This review describes the immunosuppressive cell populations in the immune microenvironment of HCC, as well as the related clinical trials, aiming to provide insights for the next generation of precision immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Fu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Linmao Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Tianming Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Chenghui Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Jiabei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hefei, China
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23
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Long F, Zhong W, Zhao F, Xu Y, Hu X, Jia G, Huang L, Yi K, Wang N, Si H, Wang J, Wang B, Rong Y, Yuan Y, Yuan C, Wang F. DAB2 + macrophages support FAP + fibroblasts in shaping tumor barrier and inducing poor clinical outcomes in liver cancer. Theranostics 2024; 14:4822-4843. [PMID: 39239526 PMCID: PMC11373629 DOI: 10.7150/thno.99046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the key components of the immune barrier in liver cancer. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity and intercellular communication of CAFs holds utmost importance in boosting immunotherapy effectiveness and improving clinical outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive analysis by combing single-cell, bulk, and spatial transcriptome profiling with multiplexed immunofluorescence was conducted to unravel the complexities of CAFs in liver cancer. Results: Through an integrated approach involving 235 liver cancer scRNA-seq samples encompassing over 1.2 million cells, we found that CAFs were particularly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). FAP + fibroblasts were identified as the dominant subtype of CAFs, and which were mainly involved in extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis. These CAFs were enriched in the tumor boundary of HCC, but diffusely scattered within ICC. The DAB2 + and SPP1 + tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) reinforce the function of FAP + CAFs through signals such as TGF-β, PDGF, and ADM. Notably, the interaction between DAB2 + TAMs and FAP + CAFs promoted the formation of immune barrier and correlated with poorer patient survival, non-response to immunotherapy in HCC. High FAP and DAB2 immunohistochemical scores predicted shorter survival and higher serum AFP concentration in a local clinical cohort of 90 HCC patients. Furthermore, this communication pattern might be applicable to other solid malignancies as well. Conclusions: The interaction between DAB2 + TAMs and FAP + CAFs appears crucial in shaping the immune barrier. Strategies aimed at disrupting this communication or inhibiting the functions of FAP + CAFs could potentially enhance immunotherapy effectiveness and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Long
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Faming Zhao
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqi Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gaihua Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lanxiang Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kezhen Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huaqi Si
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bicheng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Rong
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufeng Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunhui Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fubing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
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24
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Cao LQ, Xie Y, Fleishman JS, Liu X, Chen ZS. Hepatocellular carcinoma and lipid metabolism: Novel targets and therapeutic strategies. Cancer Lett 2024; 597:217061. [PMID: 38876384 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasingly prevalent disease that is associated with high and continually rising mortality rates. Lipid metabolism holds a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HCC, in which abnormalities pertaining to the delicate balance of lipid synthesis, breakdown, and storage, predispose for the pathogenesis of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease precursor to HCC. If caught early enough, HCC treatment may be curative. In later stages, treatment is only halting the inevitable outcome of death, boldly prompting for novel drug discovery to provide a fighting chance for this patient population. In this review, we begin by providing a summary of current local and systemic treatments against HCC. From such we discuss hepatic lipid metabolism and highlight novel targets that are ripe for anti-cancer drug discovery. Lastly, we provide a targeted summary of current known risk factors for HCC pathogenesis, providing key insights that will be essential for rationalizing future development of anti-HCC therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Qi Cao
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA; College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Yuhao Xie
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Xuan Liu
- Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518034, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA; College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA.
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25
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Yang X, Luo T, Liu Z, Liu J, Yang Z. WD repeat domain 43 as a new predictive indicator and its connection with tumor immune cell infiltration in pan-cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39153. [PMID: 39093744 PMCID: PMC11296459 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039153] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WD repeat domain 43 (WDR43) is a protein component that encodes WD-repeats and is involved in ribosome biogenesis. However, little is known about the role of WDR43 in cancer prognosis and immune modulation. METHODS In this study, we analyzed the expression and prognostic significance of WDR43 in pan-cancer using the Cancer Genome Atlas, the Genotype-Tissue Expression, and the Human Protein Atlas. We also examined the differential expression of WDR43 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and adjacent tissues of 48 patients using immunohistochemistry. Additionally, we investigated the correlation between WDR43 and clinical characteristics, gene alterations, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, mismatch repair, tumor microenvironment, immune infiltrating cells, and immune-related genes using bioinformatics methods. Gene set enrichment analysis was conducted, and potential biological mechanisms were identified. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry staining showed that WDR43 was overexpressed in LIHC among 48 patients. Upregulation of WDR43 was associated with unfavorable prognosis, including overall survival in various types of cancer such as LIHC, uterine corpus endometrial cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Differential expression of WDR43 was significantly correlated with microsatellite instability, mismatch repair, and immune cell infiltration. Gene ontology annotation analysis revealed that these genes were significantly enriched in immune-related functions, including immune response, immune regulation, and signaling pathways. CONCLUSION We conducted a thorough investigation of the clinical features, phases of tumor development, immune infiltration, gene mutation, and functional enrichment analysis of WDR43 in various types of cancer. This research offers valuable insight into the significance and function of WDR43 in clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhixin Liu
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
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Hsiao YF, Cheng SB, Lai CY, Liu HT, Lin HC, Huang YC. Vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, independent of folate and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes: A follow-up study. Nutr Res 2024; 128:70-81. [PMID: 39059060 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The associations of tumor angiogenesis with folate and antioxidant capacities in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their effects on HCC recurrence have not yet been investigated. We investigated the changes and relationships of VEGF, folate, GSH, and GSH-related antioxidant enzymes in patients with HCC before tumor resection, as well as 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years after tumor resection, and their effects on HCC recurrence. 95 HCC patients who underwent tumor resection were recruited. Patients were followed up before tumor resection (pre-resection), 1 month after tumor resection (post-resection), 1 year, and 3 years of follow-up. The recurrence and survival status of patients were evaluated. Plasma VEGF concentrations decreased slightly during follow-up. Serum folate and GSH concentrations and plasma GPx and GR activities increased significantly from pre-resection to post-resection and remained stable at follow-up. Pre-resection plasma VEGF was positively correlated with GSH, GPx, and GR, but negatively correlated with folate and GST. The high pre-resection plasma VEGF was a significant predictor of a high HCC rate (hazard ratio = 1.05, p = 0.035), remaining significant after adjustments for folate, GSH, GPx, GR, and GST to diminish their interference with VEGF. Pre-tumor-resection plasma VEGF constitutes a potential independent marker for predicting HCC recurrence. However, the associations of plasma VEGF with folate and GSH-related antioxidant capacities in HCC patients cannot be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Fang Hsiao
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Bin Cheng
- Organ Transplantation Center, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Lai
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Organ Transplantation Center, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Tien Liu
- Organ Transplantation Center, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chen Lin
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chia Huang
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Wang J, Xiao P, Li X, Wu W, Shi D, Lin W, Wu Z. Predictive value of circulating immune cell changes in response to PD-1 blockade and TKI therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102390. [PMID: 38823631 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2024.102390] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the dynamic changes in circulating immune cells following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and interventional therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS HCC patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), TKI, and ICI treatment were included in the treatment group. Peripheral blood samples were collected from these patients before each cycle of PD-1 blockade treatment. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to assess the composition of peripheral immune cells and identify PD-1-expressing T cells. RESULTS The treatment group showed a median time-to-tumor progression (TTP) of 8 months and an overall survival (OS) of 19 months. In comparison, the control group had 6 months and 15 months respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P = 0.029 for TTP and P = 0.020 for OS). In HCC patients receiving Lenvatinib, more circulating natural killer (NK) cells were noted. After 1-2 cycles of PD-1 antibody treatment, a general decline in the proportion of circulating PD-1+T cells was found, indicating individual variations in response. CONCLUSION Circulating immune cells have the potential to serve as indicators of the response to immunotherapy, providing a means to monitor dynamic changes and optimize treatment for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianpeng Wang
- Target and Interventional Radiology Department of Oncology, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China.
| | - Ping Xiao
- Department of Experimental Research, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xishan Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenyu Wu
- Target and Interventional Radiology Department of Oncology, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Degang Shi
- Target and Interventional Radiology Department of Oncology, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Experimental Research, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zuchang Wu
- Department of Experimental Research, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
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Amadeo E, Foti S, Camera S, Rossari F, Persano M, Lo Prinzi F, Vitiello F, Casadei-Gardini A, Rimini M. Developing targeted therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma: a critical assessment of promising phase II agents. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:839-849. [PMID: 39039690 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2377321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the first for primary liver tumors. In recent years greater therapeutic advancement was represented by employment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) either in monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). AREAS COVERED Major attention was given to target therapies in the last couple of years, especially in those currently under phase II trials. Priority was given either to combinations of novel ICI and TKIs or those targeting alternative mutations of major carcinogenic pathways. EXPERT OPINION As TKIs are playing a more crucial role in HCC therapeutic strategies, it is fundamental to further expand molecular testing and monitoring of acquired resistances. Despite the recent advancement in both laboratory and clinical studies, further research is necessary to face the discrepancy in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Amadeo
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Foti
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Camera
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rossari
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Persano
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Lo Prinzi
- Operative Research Unit of Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitiello
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Rimini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Liang Y. Mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102434. [PMID: 39084553 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2024.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common and devastating causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers and represents a significant global health issue. There is currently no effective systemic treatment for patients with advanced liver cancer. One study suggests that sorafenib may be effective against hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib can significantly extend the median survival time of patients, but only by 3-5 months. Furthermore, it is linked to severe adverse side effects and frequently leads to drug resistance. In this review, we offer a critical analysis of the factors contributing to sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjing Liang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, PR China.
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何 华, 刘 璐, 刘 颖, 陈 纳, 孙 素. [Sodium butyrate and sorafenib synergistically inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cells possibly by inducing ferroptosis through inhibiting YAP]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2024; 44:1425-1430. [PMID: 39051089 PMCID: PMC11270652 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2024.07.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether sodium butyrate (NaB) and sorafenib synergistically induces ferroptosis to suppress proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS CCK8 assay and colony formation assay were used to assess the effects of NaB and sorafenib, alone or in combination, on proliferation of HepG2 cells, and ferroptosis of the treated cells was detected with GSH assay and C11-BODIPY 581/591 fluorescent probe. TCGA database was used to analyze differential YAP gene expression between liver cancer and normal tissues. The effects of NaB and sorafenib on YAP and p-YAP expressions in HepG2 cells were invesitigated using Western blotting. RESULTS NaB (2 mmol/L) significantly reduced the IC50 of sorafenib in HepG2 cells, and combination index analysis confirmed the synergy between sorafenib and NaB. The ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 and the YAP activator (XMU) obviously reversed the growthinhibitory effects of the combined treatment with NaB and sorafenib in HepG2 cells. The combined treatment with NaB and sorafenib, as compared with the two agents used alone, significantly inhibited colony formation of HepG2 cells, further enhanced cellular shrinkage and dispersion, and decreased intracellular GSH and lipid ROS levels, and these effects were reversed by Fer-1 and XMU. TCGA analysis revealed a higher YAP mRNA expression in liver cancer tissues than in normal liver tissues. NaB combined with sorafenib produced significantly stronger effects than the individual agents for downregulating YAP protein expression and upregulating YAP phosphorylation level in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION NaB combined with sorafenib synergistically inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation possibly by inducing ferroptosis via inhibiting YAP expression.
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Zhang DY, Bai FH. Research trends and hotspots in the immune microenvironment related to hepatocellular carcinoma: A bibliometric and visualization study. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:3321-3330. [PMID: 39072164 PMCID: PMC11271783 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i7.3321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune microenvironment (IME) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) plays a pivotal role in determining patient outcomes and responses to treatment. This area is witnessing rapid growth in research interest. However, there is a lack of comprehensive bibliometric analyses that dissect trends and potential focal points in this field. AIM To explore the evolution of research on the IME in HCC from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2023, using bibliometric methodologies. METHODS English articles and reviews concerning the IME of HCC were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection with a search date of December 31, 2023. The R package Bibliometrix was employed to compute basic bibliometric characteristics, illustrate collaborations among countries and authors, and create a three-field diagram illustrating the connections between authors, affiliations, and keywords. Analyses of country and institutional co-authorship, as well as keyword co-occurrence, were conducted using VOSviewer. Additionally, CiteSpace was utilized for the cite burst analysis of keywords and cited literature. RESULTS The study encompassed 3125 documents in the research areas related to HCC of IME, revealing a substantial and continuous increase in the annual publication trend over time. China and Fudan University emerged as leading contributors, with 2103 and 165 publications, respectively. Frontiers in immunology was the most prolific journal in this domain. Among the top ten researchers in the field, eight are based in China. Key research terms identified include tumour microenvironment, expression, immunotherapy, and prognosis. CONCLUSION The relationship between HCC and IME is receiving increasing attention, and related research is in a highly developed stage. Key focus areas, including IME and immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunotherapy are poised to be central to future research endeavors, offering promising pathways for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Ya Zhang
- Department of Graduate School, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Fei-Hu Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Gastroenterology Clinical Medical Center of Hainan Province, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
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He Y, Yang D, Lin X, Zhang J, Cheng R, Cao L, Yang L, Zhang M, Shi X, Jin X, Sun H, Sun H, Zang J, Li Y, Ma J, Nie H. Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy improves clinical outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer by mediating anti-tumor immunity of CD8+ T (Tc1) and CD16+ NK cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1412693. [PMID: 39076970 PMCID: PMC11284045 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1412693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is one of the most common tumors in the world, and treatment using neoadjuvant therapy (NT) based on radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy has still unsatisfactory results. Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) has also become an effective treatment strategy nowadays. However, its impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulatory mechanisms on T cells and NK cells needs to be further elucidated. Methods A total of 279 cases of ESCA who underwent surgery alone [non-neoadjuvant therapy (NONE)], neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), and NICT were collected, and their therapeutic effect and survival period were compared. Further, RNA sequencing combined with biological information was used to analyze the expression of immune-related genes. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to verify the activation and infiltration status of CD8+ T and CD16+ NK cells, as well as the function and regulatory pathway of killing tumor cells. Results Patients with ESCA in the NICT group showed better clinical response, median survival, and 2-year survival rates (p < 0.05) compared with the NCT group. Our RNA sequencing data revealed that NICT could promote the expression of immune-related genes. The infiltration and activation of immune cells centered with CD8+ T cells were significantly enhanced. CD8+ T cells activated by PD-1 inhibitors secreted more IFN-γ and cytotoxic effector factor cells through the transcription factor of EOMES and TBX21. At the same time, activated CD8+ T cells mediated the CD16+ NK cell activation and secreted more IFN-γ to kill ESCA cells. In addition, the immunofluorescence co-staining results showed that more CD276+ tumor cells and CD16+ NK cells were existed in pre-NCT and pre-NICT group. However, CD276+ tumor cells were reduced significantly in the post-NICT group, while they still appeared in the post-NCT group, which means that CD16+ NK cells can recognize and kill CD276+ tumor cells after immune checkpoint blocker (ICB) treatment. Conclusion NICT can improve the therapeutic effect and survival period of resectable ESCA patients. NICT could promote the expression of immune-related genes and activate CD8+ T and CD16+ NK cells to secrete more IFN-γ to kill ESCA cells. It provides a theoretical basis and clinical evidence for its potential as an NT strategy in ESCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong He
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Depeng Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource and School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liangyu Cao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Lijun Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xinyue Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiyun Jin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Handi Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Haoxiu Sun
- School of Interdisciplinary Medicine and Engineering, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jingyu Zang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jianqun Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Huan Nie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Liu S, Sui J, Luo B, Zhang J, Xiang X, Yang T, Luo Y, Liu J. Discovery of 5-(Piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole Derivatives as a New Class of Human Caseinolytic Protease P Agonists for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10622-10642. [PMID: 38905539 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Chemical agonism of human caseinolytic protease P (HsClpP) is increasingly being recognized as a potential anticancer strategy due to its critical role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. We unveil the discovery of 5-(piperidin-4-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives as a novel class of HsClpP agonists and demonstrate for the first time the application of HsClpP agonists in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Pace, A.; Pierro, P. The new era of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2009, 7 (21), 4337-4348). Compound SL44 exhibited potent HsClpP agonistic activity in the α-casein hydrolysis assay (EC50 = 1.30 μM) and inhibited the proliferation of HCCLM3 cells (IC50 = 3.1 μM, 21.4-fold higher than hit ADX-47273). Mechanistically, SL44 induces degradation of respiratory chain complex subunits and leads to apoptosis in HCC cells. In vivo results demonstrated that SL44 has potent tumor growth inhibitory activity and has a superior safety profile compared to the kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Overall, we developed a novel class of HsClpP agonists that can potentially be used for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Liu
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Sui
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Baozhu Luo
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiangnan Zhang
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinrong Xiang
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Feng T, Xue M, Sang M, Cui R, Liu X, Liu L. Case report: Thyroid metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: a rare case with diffuse solid occupancy and unusual imaging findings. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1360734. [PMID: 39050581 PMCID: PMC11266162 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1360734] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid metastasis represents a rare occurrence, with commonly observed primary tumors originating from renal cell carcinoma, malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and breast. However, the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the thyroid gland remains infrequent. Previous investigations have consistently demonstrated an unfavorable prognosis for patients with malignancies that have metastasized to the thyroid. In this context, we present a noteworthy case of thyroid metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by a distinct ultrasonographic manifestation of diffuse thyroid lesion, deviating from the previously documented imaging presentations of thyroid metastases in HCC. Case presentation A 62-year-old Chinese female patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular liver cancer in 2019, following which she underwent a radical hepatic resection. Pathological examination revealed HCC located in the right lobe (stage T3bN0M0 IIIB). No additional interventions were administered subsequent to the surgery. After a span of 15 months, the patient presented with dyspnea. Ultrasonographic findings showed diffuse solid infiltration within the thyroid gland, along with tumor thrombi in both internal jugular veins. Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated malignant thyroid lesions infiltrating the retropharyngeal space, prevertebral space, and esophageal wall. The subsequent pathology report from the puncture biopsy confirmed the malignant nature of the tumor, and immunohistochemical analysis definitively established its hepatic origin. Conclusions Patients with a history of HCC should be subjected to long-term monitoring and habitual thyroid ultrasonography. Newly detected thyroid nodules in such patients should be immediately regarded suspect for potential metastatic disease. Even when a nodule doesn't exhibit malignant characteristics on ultrasound, FNAB should be administered promptly to elucidate the pathological condition. Larger, swiftly multiplying thyroid masses should warrant an immediate CNB. The identification of thyroid metastases, particularly when coupled with peripheral tissue invasion, typically signifies a bleak prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghua Feng
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Menghua Xue
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Miaoyu Sang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third People’s Hospital of Datong, Datong, China
| | - Rongrong Cui
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Xu P, Chi J, Wang X, Zhu M, Chen K, Fan Q, Ye F, Shao C. In vitro vascularized liver tumor model based on a microfluidic inverse opal scaffold for immune cell recruitment investigation. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3470-3479. [PMID: 38896021 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00341a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer, characterized as a kind of malignant tumor within the digestive system, poses great health harm, and immune escape stands out as an important reason for its occurrence and development. Chemokines, pivotal in guiding immune cells' migration, is necessary to initiate and deliver an effective anti-tumor immune response. Therefore, understanding the chemotactic environment and identifying chemokines that regulate recruitment of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical to improve current immunotherapy interventions. Herein, we report a well-defined inverse opal scaffold generated with a microfluidic emulsion template for the construction of a vascularized liver tumor model, offering insights into immune cells' recruitment. Due to the excellent 3D porous morphology of the inverse opal scaffold, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells can aggregate in the pores of the scaffold to form uniform multicellular tumor spheroids. More attractively, the vascularized liver tumor model can be achieved by constructing a 3D co-culture system involving endothelial cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The results demonstrate that the 3D co-cultured tumor cells increase the neutrophil chemokines remarkably and recruit neutrophils to tumor tissues, then promote tumor progression. This approach opens a feasible avenue for realizing a vascularized liver tumor model with a reliable immune microenvironment close to that of a solid tumor of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingwei Xu
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Junjie Chi
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Qihui Fan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Changmin Shao
- Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
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Yao F, Zhou S, Zhang R, Chen Y, Huang W, Yu K, Yang N, Qian X, Tie X, Xu J, Zhang Y, Baheti T, Xu J, Dai X, Hao X, Zhang L, Wang X, Li Q. CRISPR/Cas9 screen reveals that targeting TRIM34 enhances ferroptosis sensitivity and augments immunotherapy efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 593:216935. [PMID: 38704136 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy characterized by complex heterogeneity and drug resistance. Resistance to ferroptosis is closely related to the progression of HCC. While HCC tumors vary in their sensitivity to ferroptosis, the precise factors underlying this heterogeneity remain unclear. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms that contribute to ferroptosis resistance in HCC. Whole-genome CRISPR/Cas9 screen using a subtoxic concentration (IC20) of ferroptosis inducer erastin in the HCC cell line Huh7 revealed TRIM34 as a critical driver of ferroptosis resistance in HCC. Further investigation revealed that TRIM34 suppresses ferroptosis in HCC cells, promoting their proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, TRIM34 expression is elevated in HCC tumor tissues, correlating with a poor prognosis. Mechanistically, TRIM34 directly interacts with Up-frameshift 1 (UPF1), a core component of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, to promote its ubiquitination and degradation. This interaction suppresses GPX4 transcript degradation, thus promoting the protein levels of this critical ferroptosis suppressor in HCC. In light of the close crosstalk between ferroptosis and the adaptive immune response in cancer, HCC cells with targeting knockdown of TRIM34 exhibited an improved response to anti-PD-1 treatment. Taken together, the TRIM34/UPF1/GPX4 axis mediates ferroptosis resistance in HCC, thereby promoting malignant phenotypes. Targeting TRIM34 may thus represent a promising new strategy for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifan Yao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Suiqing Zhou
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruizhi Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yining Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Ili, China
| | - Kai Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Nanmu Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Xiangjun Qian
- Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Xiaofeng Tie
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Ili, China
| | - Tasiken Baheti
- Department of General Surgery, The Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ili & Jiangsu Joint Institute of Health, Ili, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinzheng Dai
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xiaopei Hao
- Department of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
| | - Liren Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qing Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Cancers (The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Ding DY, Jiang SY, Zu YX, Yang Y, Gan XJ, Yuan SX, Zhou WP. Collagen in hepatocellular carcinoma: A novel biomarker and therapeutic target. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0489. [PMID: 38967581 PMCID: PMC11227359 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
HCC is globally recognized as a major health threat. Despite significant progress in the development of treatment strategies for liver cancer, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance remain key factors leading to a poor prognosis for the majority of liver cancer patients. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC. Collagen, the most abundant and diverse protein in the tumor microenvironment, is highly expressed in various solid tumors and plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors. Recent studies have shown that abnormal expression of collagen in the tumor microenvironment is closely related to the occurrence, development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and treatment of liver cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target and a possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. This article provides a comprehensive review of the structure, classification, and origin of collagen, as well as its role in the progression and treatment of HCC and its potential clinical value, offering new insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-yang Ding
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shu-ya Jiang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yun-xi Zu
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-jie Gan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-xian Yuan
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei-ping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
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Yue B, Gao Y, Hu Y, Zhan M, Wu Y, Lu L. Harnessing CD8 + T cell dynamics in hepatitis B virus-associated liver diseases: Insights, therapies and future directions. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1731. [PMID: 38935536 PMCID: PMC11210506 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection playsa significant role in the etiology and progression of liver-relatedpathologies, encompassing chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventual hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Notably, HBV infection stands as the primary etiologicalfactor driving the development of HCC. Given the significant contribution ofHBV infection to liver diseases, a comprehensive understanding of immunedynamics in the liver microenvironment, spanning chronic HBV infection,fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC, is essential. In this review, we focused on thefunctional alterations of CD8+ T cells within the pathogenic livermicroenvironment from HBV infection to HCC. We thoroughly reviewed the roles ofhypoxia, acidic pH, metabolic reprogramming, amino acid deficiency, inhibitory checkpointmolecules, immunosuppressive cytokines, and the gut-liver communication in shapingthe dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in the liver microenvironment. Thesefactors significantly impact the clinical prognosis. Furthermore, we comprehensivelyreviewed CD8+ T cell-based therapy strategies for liver diseases,encompassing HBV infection, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. Strategies includeimmune checkpoint blockades, metabolic T-cell targeting therapy, therapeuticT-cell vaccination, and adoptive transfer of genetically engineered CD8+ T cells, along with the combined usage of programmed cell death protein-1/programmeddeath ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors with mitochondria-targeted antioxidants.Given that targeting CD8+ T cells at various stages of hepatitis Bvirus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV + HCC) shows promise, we reviewedthe ongoing need for research to elucidate the complex interplay between CD8+ T cells and the liver microenvironment in the progression of HBV infection toHCC. We also discussed personalized treatment regimens, combining therapeuticstrategies and harnessing gut microbiota modulation, which holds potential forenhanced clinical benefits. In conclusion, this review delves into the immunedynamics of CD8+ T cells, microenvironment changes, and therapeuticstrategies within the liver during chronic HBV infection, HCC progression, andrelated liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yuxia Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yi Hu
- Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentSchool of MedicineFaculty of Medical ScienceJinan UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Yangzhe Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai Institute of Translational MedicineZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People's Hospital), Jinan UniversityZhuhaiGuangdongChina
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Fang S, Zhou Y. Deciphering the role of KLRB1: a novel prognostic indicator in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:210. [PMID: 38914941 PMCID: PMC11194965 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03299-4] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant global health challenge with high incidence and mortality rates. T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are pivotal in this context, yet HCC can evade immune surveillance. CD161 (KLRB1), a C-type lectin receptor, modulates immune responses and is expressed on NK cells and a subset of T cells. Its relevance in HCC remains poorly understood, with conflicting findings regarding its impact on patient prognosis. METHODS Utilizing TCGA data and single-cell analysis, we investigated the biological functions of KLRB1 in HCC. Peripheral blood samples from 126 HCC patients were collected to assess KLRB1 expression on NK and T cells. The diagnostic performance of KLRB1 on NK and CD8 + T cells was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, while its prognostic significance was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and COX regression models. RESULTS Analysis of TCGA data revealed a significant correlation between KLRB1 expression and immune activation, particularly T cell activation. Single-cell data further demonstrated elevated KLRB1 expression in tissue-resident NK and T cells within HCC, which co-expressed markers of immune activation. Clinical data showed downregulated KLRB1 expression on NK and T cells in HCC patients compared to health individuals, with lower expression levels correlating with poorer prognosis. CONCLUSION KLRB1 emerges as a promising biomarker in HCC, with its downregulation on peripheral blood NK and T cells suggesting potential prognostic value. Further elucidation of KLRB1's role in HCC may pave the way for the development of targeted immunotherapies and the improvement of patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siting Fang
- Department of Stomatology, Huashan hospital, Fudan university, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yinglu Zhou
- Nursing Department, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Ji Y, An Q, Wen X, Xu Z, Xia Z, Xia Z, Hu Q, Lei S. Liver cancer from the perspective of single-cell sequencing: a review combined with bibliometric analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:316. [PMID: 38910204 PMCID: PMC11194221 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer (LC) is a prevalent malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Extensive research has been conducted to enhance patient outcomes and develop effective prevention strategies, ranging from molecular mechanisms to clinical interventions. Single-cell sequencing, as a novel bioanalysis technology, has significantly contributed to the understanding of the global cognition and dynamic changes in liver cancer. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analysis in this specific research area. Therefore, the objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and research hotspots in the field of single-cell sequencing in liver cancer research through the use of bibliometrics. METHOD Publications related to the application of single-cell sequencing technology to liver cancer research as of December 31, 2023, were searched on the web of science core collection (WoSCC) database. VOSviewers, CiteSpace, and R package "bibliometrix" were used to conduct this bibliometric analysis. RESULTS A total of 331 publications from 34 countries, primarily led by China and the United States, were included in this study. The research focuses on the application of single cell sequencing technology to liver cancer, and the number of related publications has been increasing year by year. The main research institutions involved in this field are Fudan University, Sun Yat-Sen University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Frontiers in Immunology and Nature Communications is the most popular journal in this field, while Cell is the most frequently co-cited journal. These publications are authored by 2799 individuals, with Fan Jia and Zhou Jian having the most published papers, and Llovet Jm being the most frequently co-cited author. The use of single cell sequencing to explore the immune microenvironment of liver cancer, as well as its implications in immunotherapy and chemotherapy, remains the central focus of this field. The emerging research hotspots are characterized by keywords such as 'Gene-Expression', 'Prognosis', 'Tumor Heterogeneity', 'Immunoregulation', and 'Tumor Immune Microenvironment'. CONCLUSION This is the first bibliometric study that comprehensively summarizes the research trends and developments on the application of single cell sequencing in liver cancer. The study identifies recent research frontiers and hot directions, providing a valuable reference for researchers exploring the landscape of liver cancer, understanding the composition of the immune microenvironment, and utilizing single-cell sequencing technology to guide and enhance the prognosis of liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi An
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyu Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Xu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Jiangxi, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhengyuan Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, China
| | - Zhongyuan Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinyong Hu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shaoqing Lei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Li Q, Guo W, Qian Y, Li S, Li L, Zhu Z, Wang F, Tong Y, Xia Q, Liu Y. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 promotes PD-L1 stability to drive immune evasion and directs liver cancer to immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008917. [PMID: 38908854 PMCID: PMC11328658 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-008917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in cancer progression and immunotherapy response. Despite the considerable advancements in cancer immunotherapy, the limited response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major challenge for its clinical implications. Here, we investigated the molecular basis of the protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POFUT1) that drives HCC immune evasion and explored a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing ICB efficacy. METHODS De novo MYC/Trp53-/- liver tumor and the xenograft tumor models were used to evaluate the function of POFUT1 in immune evasion. Biochemical assays were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of POFUT1-mediated immune evasion. RESULTS We identified POFUT1 as a crucial promoter of immune evasion in liver cancer. Notably, POFUT1 promoted HCC progression and inhibited T-cell infiltration in the xenograft tumor and de novo MYC/Trp53-/- mouse liver tumor models. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that POFUT1 stabilized programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein by preventing tripartite motif containing 21-mediated PD-L1 ubiquitination and degradation independently of its protein-O-fucosyltransferase activity. In addition, we further demonstrated that PD-L1 was required for the tumor-promoting and immune evasion effects of POFUT1 in HCC. Importantly, inhibition of POFUT1 could synergize with anti-programmed death receptor 1 therapy by remodeling TME in the xenograft tumor mouse model. Clinically, POFUT1 high expression displayed a lower response rate and worse clinical outcome to ICB therapies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that POFUT1 functions as a novel regulator of tumor immune evasion and inhibition of POFUT1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the efficacy of immune therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyun Guo
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Qian
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Songling Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linfeng Li
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zijun Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Tong
- Renji-Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
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Du YN, Zhao JW. GDF15: Immunomodulatory Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:1171-1183. [PMID: 38911292 PMCID: PMC11193986 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s471239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally and the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Evidence shows that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis through various mechanisms. This paper reviews the latest insights into the role of GDF15 in the development of HCC, its role in the immune microenvironment of HCC, and its molecular mechanisms in metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-related HCC. Additionally, as a serum biomarker for HCC, diagnostic and prognostic value of GDF15 for HCC is summarized. The article elaborates on the immunological effects of GDF15, elucidating its effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver fibrosis, as well as its role in HCC metastasis and tumor angiogenesis, and its interactions with anticancer drugs. Based on the impact of GDF15 on the immune response in HCC, future research should identify its signaling pathways, affected immune cells, and tumor microenvironment interactions. Clinical studies correlating GDF15 levels with patient outcomes can aid personalized treatment. Additionally, exploring GDF15-targeted therapies with immunotherapies could improve anti-tumor responses and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ning Du
- Department of Medical Sciences, Li Ka-shing School of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin-Wei Zhao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
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Shao Z, Wang Y, He Y, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Zhang M, Li Q, Wang J. The high expression of ADRM1 in hepatocellular carcinoma is closely related to tumor immune infiltration and is regulated by miR-891a-5p. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14002. [PMID: 38890391 PMCID: PMC11189539 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Although some progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the diagnosis and treatment of HCC is still facing great challenges because of the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HCC. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between adhesion-regulating molecule1 (ADRM1), and liver cancer, and the relationship between prognoses. ADRM1 is highly expressed in tumors and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. In our previous study, we found that ADRM1 was highly expressed in HCC and was closely related to tumor immune and immune checkpoint levels in HCC. We validated the immune expression of ADRM1 in liver cancer cells using flow cytometry. In hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, miR-891a-5p regulates ADRM1. Upregulation of miR-891a-5p upregulates ADRM1, and downregulation of miR-891a-5p downregulates ADRM1. It is suggested that ADRM1 plays a key role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study is expected to provide new ideas for the research and development of anti-HCC drugs targeting miR-891a-5p/ADRM1. However, further trials are needed to confirm these results and explore the actual results in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Shao
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuejun He
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yandong Zhao
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mimi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of General Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No.32 of Meijian Road, Xuzhou, 221000, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Liu SC. Comprehensive analysis of clinical and biological value of ING family genes in liver cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2580-2597. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer (LIHC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the liver and has a high mortality in cancer. The ING family genes were identified as tumor suppressor genes. Dysregulated expression of these genes can lead to cell cycle arrest, senescence and/or apoptosis. ING family genes are promising targets for anticancer therapy. However, their role in LIHC is still not well understood.
AIM To have a better understanding of the important roles of ING family members in LIHC.
METHODS A series of bioinformatics approaches (including gene expression analysis, genetic alteration analysis, survival analysis, immune infiltration analysis, prediction of upstream microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) of ING1, and ING1-related gene functional enrichment analysis) was applied to study the expression profile, clinical relationship, prognostic significance and immune infiltration of ING in LIHC. The relationship between ING family genes expression and tumor associated immune checkpoints was investigated in LIHC. The molecular mechanism of ING1 mediated hepatocarcinogenesis was preliminarily discussed.
RESULTS mRNA/protein expression of different ING family genes in LIHC was analyzed in different databases, showing that ING family genes were highly expressed in LIHC. In 47 samples from 366 LIHC patients, the ING family genes were altered at a rate of 13%. By comprehensively analyzing the expression, clinical pathological parameters and prognostic value of ING family genes, ING1/5 was identified. ING1/5 was related to poor prognosis of LIHC, suggesting that they may play key roles in LIHC tumorigenesis and progression. One of the target miRNAs of ING1 was identified as hsa-miR-214-3p. Two upstream lncRNAs of hsa-miR-214-3p, U91328.1, and HCG17, were identified. At the same time, we found that the expression of ING family genes was correlated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint genes.
CONCLUSION This study lays a foundation for further research on the potential mechanism and clinical value of ING family genes in the treatment and prognosis of LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Cai Liu
- School of Medical Information, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, Anhui Province, China
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Liu SC. Comprehensive analysis of clinical and biological value of ING family genes in liver cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2592-2609. [PMID: 38994155 PMCID: PMC11236222 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer (LIHC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the liver and has a high mortality in cancer. The ING family genes were identified as tumor suppressor genes. Dysregulated expression of these genes can lead to cell cycle arrest, senescence and/or apoptosis. ING family genes are promising targets for anticancer therapy. However, their role in LIHC is still not well understood. AIM To have a better understanding of the important roles of ING family members in LIHC. METHODS A series of bioinformatics approaches (including gene expression analysis, genetic alteration analysis, survival analysis, immune infiltration analysis, prediction of upstream microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) of ING1, and ING1-related gene functional enrichment analysis) was applied to study the expression profile, clinical relationship, prognostic significance and immune infiltration of ING in LIHC. The relationship between ING family genes expression and tumor associated immune checkpoints was investigated in LIHC. The molecular mechanism of ING1 mediated hepatocarcinogenesis was preliminarily discussed. RESULTS mRNA/protein expression of different ING family genes in LIHC was analyzed in different databases, showing that ING family genes were highly expressed in LIHC. In 47 samples from 366 LIHC patients, the ING family genes were altered at a rate of 13%. By comprehensively analyzing the expression, clinical pathological parameters and prognostic value of ING family genes, ING1/5 was identified. ING1/5 was related to poor prognosis of LIHC, suggesting that they may play key roles in LIHC tumorigenesis and progression. One of the target miRNAs of ING1 was identified as hsa-miR-214-3p. Two upstream lncRNAs of hsa-miR-214-3p, U91328.1, and HCG17, were identified. At the same time, we found that the expression of ING family genes was correlated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint genes. CONCLUSION This study lays a foundation for further research on the potential mechanism and clinical value of ING family genes in the treatment and prognosis of LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Cai Liu
- School of Medical Information, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, Anhui Province, China
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Li T, Xu X, Guo M, Guo J, Nakayama K, Ren Z, Zhang L. Identification of a Macrophage marker gene signature to evaluate immune infiltration and therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31881. [PMID: 38845876 PMCID: PMC11154631 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31881] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Only a minority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients can benefit from systemic regimens. Macrophages, which abundantly infiltrate in HCC, could mediate tumour microenvironment remodelling and immune escape, proving to be powerful weapons in combating HCC. Thus, a deeper understanding of macrophages is necessary for improving existing antitumour treatments. Methods With a series of bioinformatic approaches, we comprehensively explored the role of macrophage-related genes in human HCCs from multiple single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing datasets. Unsupervised clustering was performed to cluster the macrophage marker genes (MMGs). GSVA and functional enrichment analysis were used to elucidate the functional differences among the MMG-associated clusters. Subsequently, a component analysis algorithm was used to construct a Macrosig score, and the prognosis, biological characteristics, mutation profile, TME cell infiltration status and drug response of patients with different Macrosig scores were further analysed. Results We identified 13 MMGs in 574 HCC samples, based on which three MMG-associated clusters were defined. Overall survival time, clinicopathological features and immune infiltration scores differed among the different clusters. On this basis, 12 hub genes were identified among these clusters; subsequently, a scoring system was constructed to determine the Macrosig score. Importantly, patients with low-Macrosig scores, characterized by increased immune infiltration, increased mutation frequency and increased immune checkpoint expression, including CTLA-4, LAG3, PDCD1 and TIGIT, exhibited enhanced efficacy of immunotherapy when validated in an external database. Moreover, a low-Macrosig score indicates increased sensitivity to AZD.2281, A.443654, ABT.263, ABT.888, AG.014699 and ATRA, while a high Macrosig score indicates increased sensitivity to AZD6482, AKT inhibitor VIII, AS601245, AZ628, AZD.0530 and AZD6244. Conclusions A novel scoring system was constructed to guide more effective prognostic evaluation and tailoring therapeutic regimens for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Li
- Liver Cancer Institute & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital Xuhui Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Liver Cancer Institute & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengzhou Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital Xuhui Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kiyoko Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute & Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Liu H, Yue L, Hong W, Zhou J. SMARCA4 (BRG1) activates ABCC3 transcription to promote hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Life Sci 2024; 347:122605. [PMID: 38642845 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lead cause of cancer-related deaths. In the present study we investigated the role of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, in HCC the pathogenesis focusing on identifying novel transcription targets. METHODS AND MATERIALS Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was modeled in mice by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Cellular transcriptome was evaluated by RNA-seq. RESULTS Hepatocellular carcinoma was appreciably retarded in BRG1 knockout mice compared to wild type littermates. Transcriptomic analysis identified ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 3 (ABCC3) as a novel target of BRG1. BRG1 over-expression in BRG1low HCC cells (HEP1) up-regulated whereas BRG1 depletion in BRG1high HCC cells (SNU387) down-regulated ABCC3 expression. Importantly, BRG1 was detected to directly bind to the ABCC3 promoter to activate ABCC3 transcription. BRG1 over-expression in HEP1 cells promoted proliferation and migration, both of which were abrogated by ABCC3 silencing. On the contrary, BRG1 depletion in SNU387 cells decelerated proliferation and migration, both of which were rescued by ABCC3 over-expression. Importantly, high BRG1/ABCC3 expression predicted poor prognosis in HCC patients. Mechanistically, ABCC3 regulated hepatocellular carcinogenesis possibly by influencing lysosomal homeostasis. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, our data suggest that targeting BRG1 and its downstream target ABCC3 can be considered as a reasonable approach for the intervention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linbo Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxuan Hong
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junjing Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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Chen Y, Chen C, Xiang J, Gao R, Wang G, Yu W. Functional Tea Extract Inhibits Cell Growth, Induces Apoptosis, and Causes G0/G1 Arrest in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Possibly through Reduction in Telomerase Activity. Foods 2024; 13:1867. [PMID: 38928812 PMCID: PMC11203311 DOI: 10.3390/foods13121867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The functional tea CFT-1 has been introduced into China as a nutraceutical beverage according to the "Healthy China" national project. The effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear and were investigated with the functional tea extract (purity > 98%). The morphological changes in the cells were observed with microscopes. Cell proliferation, migration, cycle distribution, and apoptotic effects were assessed by MTT, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry, respectively, while telomerase inhibition was evaluated with telomerase PCR ELISA assay kits. The CFT-1 treatment resulted in cell shrinkage, nuclear pyknosis, and chromatin condensation. CFT-1 suppressed the growth of Hep3B cells with IC50 of 143 μg/mL by inducing apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest in Hep3B cells. As for the molecular mechanism, CFT-1 treatment can effectively reduce the telomerase activity. The functional tea extract inhibits cell growth in human HCC by inducing apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest, possibly through a reduction in telomerase activity. These results indicate that CFT-1 extract exhibited in vitro anticancer activities and provided insights into the future development and utilization of CFT-1 as functional foods to inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chen
- Tea Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.); (R.G.)
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
- Agricultural Product Processing Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Changsong Chen
- Tea Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.); (R.G.)
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Jiaxing Xiang
- Tea Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.); (R.G.)
- Horticulture College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Ruizhen Gao
- Tea Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.); (R.G.)
- Horticulture College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Guojun Wang
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA;
| | - Wenquan Yu
- Tea Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.); (R.G.)
- Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
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Wang H, Bo W, Feng X, Zhang J, Li G, Chen Y. Strategies and Recent Advances on Improving Efficient Antitumor of Lenvatinib Based on Nanoparticle Delivery System. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:5581-5603. [PMID: 38882543 PMCID: PMC11177867 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s460844] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib (LVN) is a potentially effective multiple-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treating hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma and thyroid cancer. Nonetheless, poor pharmacokinetic properties including poor water solubility and rapid metabolic, complex tumor microenvironment, and drug resistance have impeded its satisfactory therapeutic efficacy. This article comprehensively reviews the uses of nanotechnology in LVN to improve antitumor effects. With the characteristic of high modifiability and loading capacity of the nano-drug delivery system, an active targeting approach, controllable drug release, and biomimetic strategies have been devised to deliver LVN to target tumors in sequence, compensating for the lack of passive targeting. The existing applications and advances of LVN in improving therapeutic efficacy include improving longer-term efficiency, achieving higher efficiency, combination therapy, tracking and diagnosing application and reducing toxicity. Therefore, using multiple strategies combined with photothermal, photodynamic, and immunoregulatory therapies potentially overcomes multi-drug resistance, regulates unfavorable tumor microenvironment, and yields higher synergistic antitumor effects. In brief, the nano-LVN delivery system has brought light to the war against cancer while at the same time improving the antitumor effect. More intelligent and multifunctional nanoparticles should be investigated and further converted into clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wentao Bo
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xielin Feng
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinliang Zhang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Emergency, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
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Xiong Z, Li L, Wang G, Guo L, Luo S, Liao X, Liu J, Teng W. Integrated Analysis of scRNA-Seq and Bulk RNA-Seq Reveals Metabolic Reprogramming of Liver Cancer and Establishes a Prognostic Risk Model. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:755. [PMID: 38927691 PMCID: PMC11203231 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer manifests as a profoundly heterogeneous malignancy, posing significant challenges in terms of both therapeutic intervention and prognostic evaluation. Given that the liver is the largest metabolic organ, a prognostic risk model grounded in single-cell transcriptome analysis and a metabolic perspective can facilitate precise prevention and treatment strategies for liver cancer. Hence, we identified 11 cell types in a scRNA-seq profile comprising 105,829 cells and found that the metabolic activity of malignant cells increased significantly. Subsequently, a prognostic risk model incorporating tumor heterogeneity, cell interactions, tumor cell metabolism, and differentially expressed genes was established based on eight genes; this model can accurately distinguish the survival outcomes of liver cancer patients and predict the response to immunotherapy. Analyzing the immune status and drug sensitivity of the high- and low-risk groups identified by the model revealed that the high-risk group had more active immune cell status and greater expression of immune checkpoints, indicating potential risks associated with liver cancer-targeted drugs. In summary, this study provides direct evidence for the stratification and precise treatment of liver cancer patients, and is an important step in establishing reliable predictors of treatment efficacy in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Xiong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China;
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Medical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Lizhi Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China;
| | - Guoliang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Lei Guo
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Medical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Shangyi Luo
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Medical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiangwen Liao
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Medical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Jingfeng Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China;
| | - Wenhao Teng
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China;
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Medical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; (L.G.); (S.L.); (X.L.)
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