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Mamun M, Zheng YC, Wang N, Wang B, Zhang Y, Pang JR, Shen DD, Liu HM, Gao Y. Decoding CLU (Clusterin): Conquering cancer treatment resistance and immunological barriers. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112355. [PMID: 38851158 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112355] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
One major obstacle in the treatment of cancer is the presence of proteins resistant to cancer therapy, which can impede the effectiveness of traditional approaches such as radiation and chemotherapy. This resistance can lead to disease progression and cause treatment failure. Extensive research is currently focused on studying these proteins to create tailored treatments that can circumvent resistance mechanisms. CLU (Clusterin), a chaperone protein, has gained notoriety for its role in promoting resistance to a wide range of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. The protein has also been discovered to have a role in regulating the immunosuppressive environment within tumors. Its ability to influence oncogenic signaling and inhibit cell death bolster cancer cells resistant against treatments, which poses a significant challenge in the field of oncology. Researchers are actively investigating to the mechanisms by which CLU exerts its resistance-promoting effects, with the ultimate goal of developing strategies to circumvent its impact and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies. By exploring CLU's impact on cancer, resistance mechanisms, tumor microenvironment (TME), and therapeutic strategies, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maa Mamun
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Jing-Ru Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Dan-Dan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou China, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, China
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China
| | - Ya Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
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Yao M, Fang RF, Xie Q, Xu M, Sai WL, Yao DF. Early monitoring values of oncogenic signalling molecules for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2350-2361. [PMID: 38994143 PMCID: PMC11236219 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2350] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevention and early diagnosis of liver cancer remains a global medical challenge. During the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, a variety of oncogenic cellular signalling molecules, such as novel high mobility group-Box 3, angiopoietin-2, Golgi protein 73, glypican-3, Wnt3a (a signalling molecule in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway), and secretory clusterin, can be expressed and secreted into the blood. These signalling molecules are derived from different signalling pathways and may not only participate in the malignant transformation of hepatocytes but also become early diagnostic indicators of hepatocarcinogenesis or specific targeted molecules for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. This article reviews recent progress in the study of several signalling molecules as sensitive biomarkers for monitoring hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University and Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rong-Fei Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qun Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Haian People’s Hospital, Haian 226600, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Xu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Li Sai
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University and Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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Yao M, Fang RF, Xie Q, Xu M, Sai WL, Yao DF. Early monitoring values of oncogenic signalling molecules for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2814-2825. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2814] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevention and early diagnosis of liver cancer remains a global medical challenge. During the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, a variety of oncogenic cellular signalling molecules, such as novel high mobility group-Box 3, angiopoietin-2, Golgi protein 73, glypican-3, Wnt3a (a signalling molecule in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway), and secretory clusterin, can be expressed and secreted into the blood. These signalling molecules are derived from different signalling pathways and may not only participate in the malignant transformation of hepatocytes but also become early diagnostic indicators of hepatocarcinogenesis or specific targeted molecules for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. This article reviews recent progress in the study of several signalling molecules as sensitive biomarkers for monitoring hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University and Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rong-Fei Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qun Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Haian People’s Hospital, Haian 226600, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Xu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Li Sai
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University and Research Center of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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Yoshimaru Y, Nagaoka K, Tanaka K, Narahara S, Inada H, Kurano S, Tokunaga T, Iio E, Watanabe T, Setoyama H, Tateyama M, Yoshida K, Tsunoda T, Nakamura Y, Tanaka M, Sasaki Y, Tanaka Y. Randomized phase I/II study of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor peptide vaccines for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Res 2024; 54:451-464. [PMID: 38018304 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM We evaluated the safety and efficacy of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeted peptide vaccines for the immunization of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had responded to transarterial chemoembolization. METHODS Twenty-two patients were randomized 1:1 to receive VEGFR-targeted peptides or placebo. The primary end-point was the safety assessment of the immunization. The secondary end-points were evaluation of immunological responses and clinical outcomes. RESULTS No severe adverse events were induced by the study agents. Among the 12 patients in the vaccine group, a VEGFR1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was induced in eight (66.7%) patients and a VEGFR2-specific CTL response was induced in 10 (83.3%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 4.8 and 52.0 months, respectively, in the vaccine group, and 2.7 and 21.8 months, respectively, in the placebo group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups (PFS p = 0.925, OS p = 0.190). When divided into two groups according to immunoreactivity, the median PFS of patients with and without a strong immune response to VEGFR1 were 7.4 and 2.7 months, and that to VEGFR2 were 10.6 and 2.7 months, respectively; there were significant differences according to the immune response. CONCLUSIONS Immunotherapy with peptide vaccines targeting VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. It also effectively induced peptide-specific CTLs in patients with unresectable HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Yoshimaru
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kentaro Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Narahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroki Inada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Sotaro Kurano
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takayuki Tokunaga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Etsuko Iio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroko Setoyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masakuni Tateyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Tsunoda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Yutaka Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Osaka Central Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Cao R, Guo S, Min L, Li P. Roles of Rictor alterations in gastrointestinal tumors (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:37. [PMID: 38186315 PMCID: PMC10807360 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8696] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal tumors account for five of the top 10 causes of mortality from all cancers (colorectal, liver, stomach, esophageal and pancreatic cancer). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is commonly dysregulated in various human cancers. As a core component of the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), Rictor is a key effector molecule of the PI3K/Akt pathway. A high alteration rate of Rictor has been observed in gastrointestinal tumors, and such Rictor alterations are often associated with resistance to chemotherapy and related adverse clinical outcomes. However, the exact roles of Rictor in gastrointestinal tumors remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to critically discuss the following: i) Mutation and biological characteristics of Rictor in tumors with a detailed overview of Rictor in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy and drug resistance; ii) the role of Rictor in tumors of the digestive system, particularly colorectal, hepatobiliary, gastric, esophageal and pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma; and iii) the current status and prospects of targeted therapy for Rictor by inhibiting Akt activation. Despite the growing realization of the importance of Rictor/mTORC2 in cancer, the underlying mechanistic details remain poorly understood; this needs to change in order for the development of efficient targeted therapies and re‑sensitization of therapy‑resistant cancers to be made possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhen Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ordos Central Hospital, Ordos School of Clinical Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Ordos, Inner Mongolia 017000, P.R. China
| | - Shuilong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Li Min
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
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