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AlMalki RH, Al-Nasrallah HK, Aldossry A, Barnawi R, Al-Khaldi S, Almozyan S, Al-Ansari MM, Ghebeh H, Abdel Rahman AM, Al-Alwan M. Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Metabolomes Highlights Fascin's Central Role in Regulating Key Pathways Related to Disease Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7891. [PMID: 39063133 PMCID: PMC11277536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147891] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Omics technologies provide useful tools for the identification of novel biomarkers in many diseases, including breast cancer, which is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. We and others have reported a central role for the actin-bundling protein (fascin) in regulating breast cancer disease progression at different levels. However, whether fascin expression promotes metabolic molecules that could predict disease progression has not been fully elucidated. Here, fascin expression was manipulated via knockdown (fascinKD+NORF) and rescue (fascinKD+FORF) in the naturally fascin-positive (fascinpos+NORF) MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Whether fascin dysregulates metabolic profiles that are associated with disease progression was assessed using untargeted metabolomics analyses via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Overall, 12,226 metabolic features were detected in the tested cell pellets. Fascinpos+NORF cell pellets showed 2510 and 3804 significantly dysregulated metabolites compared to their fascinKD+NORF counterparts. Fascin rescue (fascinKD+FORF) revealed 2710 significantly dysregulated cellular metabolites compared to fascinKD+NORF counterparts. A total of 101 overlapped cellular metabolites between fascinKD+FORF and fascinpos+NORF were significantly dysregulated in the fascinKD+NORF cells. Analysis of the significantly dysregulated metabolites by fascin expression revealed their involvement in the metabolism of sphingolipid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, which are critical pathways for breast cancer progression. Our findings of fascin-mediated alteration of metabolic pathways could be used as putative poor prognostic biomarkers and highlight other underlying mechanisms of fascin contribution to breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem H. AlMalki
- Metabolomics Section, Department of Clinical Genomics, Center for Genomics Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Huda K. Al-Nasrallah
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
| | - Alanoud Aldossry
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
| | - Rayanah Barnawi
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
| | - Samiyah Al-Khaldi
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
- Applied Genomics Technologies Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sheema Almozyan
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
| | - Mysoon M. Al-Ansari
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Biology & Experimental Therapeutics Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem Ghebeh
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
- College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas M. Abdel Rahman
- Metabolomics Section, Department of Clinical Genomics, Center for Genomics Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
- College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (H.K.A.-N.); (A.A.); (R.B.); (S.A.-K.); (S.A.); (H.G.)
- College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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3
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Zeng P, Shu LZ, Zhou YH, Huang HL, Wei SH, Liu WJ, Deng H. Stem cell division and its critical role in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis: current progress and remaining challenges. Stem Cells Dev 2024. [PMID: 38943275 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2024.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The origin of breast cancer (BC) has traditionally been a focus of medical research. It is widely acknowledged that BC originates from immortal mammary stem cells (MaSCs) and that these stem cells participate in two division modes: symmetric cell division (SCD) and asymmetric cell division (ACD). Although both of these modes are key to the process of breast development and their imbalance is closely associated with the onset of BC, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena deserve in-depth exploration. In this review, we first outline the molecular mechanisms governing ACD/SCD and analyze the role of ACD/SCD in various stages of breast development. We describe that the changes in telomerase activity, the role of polar proteins, and the stimulation of ovarian hormones subsequently lead to two distinct consequences: breast development or carcinogenesis. Finally, gene mutations, abnormalities in polar proteins, modulation of signal-transduction pathways, and alterations in the microenvironment disrupt the balance of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) division modes and cause BC. Important regulatory factors such as mammalian Inscuteable (mInsc), Numb, Eya1, PKCα, PKCθ, p53, and IL-6 also play significant roles in regulating pathways of ACD/SCD and may constitute key targets for future research on stem cell division, breast development, and tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zeng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang 330001, Jiangxi Province, China, China;
| | - Lin-Zhen Shu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China, nanchang, China;
| | - Yu-Hong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang 330001, Jiangxi Province, China, China;
| | - Hai-Lin Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang 330001, Jiangxi Province, China, China;
| | - Shu-Hua Wei
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang 330001, Jiangxi Province, China, China;
| | - Wen-Jian Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang 330001, Jiangxi Province, China, China;
| | - Huan Deng
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Department of Pathology, Nanchang, China
- Rehabiliation Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, 330006, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China, China;
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Zuo C, Xia J, Chen L. Dissecting tumor microenvironment from spatially resolved transcriptomics data by heterogeneous graph learning. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5057. [PMID: 38871687 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49171-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) has enabled precise dissection of tumor-microenvironment (TME) by analyzing its intracellular molecular networks and intercellular cell-cell communication (CCC). However, lacking computational exploration of complicated relations between cells, genes, and histological regions, severely limits the ability to interpret the complex structure of TME. Here, we introduce stKeep, a heterogeneous graph (HG) learning method that integrates multimodality and gene-gene interactions, in unraveling TME from SRT data. stKeep leverages HG to learn both cell-modules and gene-modules by incorporating features of diverse nodes including genes, cells, and histological regions, allows for identifying finer cell-states within TME and cell-state-specific gene-gene relations, respectively. Furthermore, stKeep employs HG to infer CCC for each cell, while ensuring that learned CCC patterns are comparable across different cell-states through contrastive learning. In various cancer samples, stKeep outperforms other tools in dissecting TME such as detecting bi-potent basal populations, neoplastic myoepithelial cells, and metastatic cells distributed within the tumor or leading-edge regions. Notably, stKeep identifies key transcription factors, ligands, and receptors relevant to disease progression, which are further validated by the functional and survival analysis of independent clinical data, thereby highlighting its clinical prognostic and immunotherapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunman Zuo
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Big Data and Intelligent System, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Junjie Xia
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Big Data and Intelligent System, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Luonan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, Med-X center for informatics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Worley J, Noh H, You D, Turunen MM, Ding H, Paull E, Griffin AT, Grunn A, Zhang M, Guillan K, Bush EC, Brosius SJ, Hibshoosh H, Mundi PS, Sims P, Dalerba P, Dela Cruz FS, Kung AL, Califano A. Identification and Pharmacological Targeting of Treatment-Resistant, Stem-like Breast Cancer Cells for Combination Therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.08.562798. [PMID: 38798673 PMCID: PMC11118419 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.08.562798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Tumors frequently harbor isogenic yet epigenetically distinct subpopulations of multi-potent cells with high tumor-initiating potential-often called Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSLCs). These can display preferential resistance to standard-of-care chemotherapy. Single-cell analyses can help elucidate Master Regulator (MR) proteins responsible for governing the transcriptional state of these cells, thus revealing complementary dependencies that may be leveraged via combination therapy. Interrogation of single-cell RNA sequencing profiles from seven metastatic breast cancer patients, using perturbational profiles of clinically relevant drugs, identified drugs predicted to invert the activity of MR proteins governing the transcriptional state of chemoresistant CSLCs, which were then validated by CROP-seq assays. The top drug, the anthelmintic albendazole, depleted this subpopulation in vivo without noticeable cytotoxicity. Moreover, sequential cycles of albendazole and paclitaxel-a commonly used chemotherapeutic -displayed significant synergy in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) from a TNBC patient, suggesting that network-based approaches can help develop mechanism-based combinatorial therapies targeting complementary subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Worley
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
| | - Heeju Noh
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Daoqi You
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mikko M Turunen
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Hongxu Ding
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA 85721
| | - Evan Paull
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Aaron T Griffin
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Adina Grunn
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Mingxuan Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Kristina Guillan
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Erin C Bush
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Samantha J Brosius
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hanina Hibshoosh
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Prabhjot S Mundi
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Peter Sims
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Piero Dalerba
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
| | - Filemon S Dela Cruz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrew L Kung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA 10032
- J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA 10032
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Li DJ, Cheng YW, Pan JM, Guo ZC, Wang SH, Huang QF, Nie PJ, Shi WQ, Xu XE, Wen B, Zhong JL, Zhang ZD, Wu ZY, Zhao H, Liao LD, Wu JY, Zhang K, Dong G, Li EM, Xu LY. KAT8/SIRT7-mediated Fascin-K41 acetylation/deacetylation regulates tumor metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Pathol 2024; 263:74-88. [PMID: 38411274 DOI: 10.1002/path.6261] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (Fascin) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), working as an important oncogenic protein and promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells by bundling F-actin to facilitate the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. However, it is not clear how exactly the function of Fascin is regulated by acetylation in cancer cells. Here, in ESCC cells, the histone acetyltransferase KAT8 catalyzed Fascin lysine 41 (K41) acetylation, to inhibit Fascin-mediated F-actin bundling and the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. Furthermore, NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT) 7-mediated deacetylation of Fascin-K41 enhances the formation of filopodia and invadopodia, which promotes the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Clinically, the analysis of cancer and adjacent tissue samples from patients with ESCC showed that Fascin-K41 acetylation was lower in the cancer tissue of patients with lymph node metastasis than in that of patients without lymph node metastasis, and low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with ESCC. Importantly, K41 acetylation significantly blocked NP-G2-044, one of the Fascin inhibitors currently being clinically evaluated, suggesting that NP-G2-044 may be more suitable for patients with low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation, but not suitable for patients with high levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Jia Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Yin-Wei Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Jin-Mei Pan
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Zhen-Chang Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Shao-Hong Wang
- Clinical Research Center, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, PR China
| | - Qing-Feng Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Ping-Juan Nie
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Wen-Qi Shi
- Clinical Research Center, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, PR China
| | - Xiu-E Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Bing Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Jin-Ling Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Zhi-Da Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Zhi-Yong Wu
- Clinical Research Center, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, PR China
| | - Hui Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Lian-Di Liao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Jian-Yi Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Geng Dong
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Shantou Academy Medical Sciences, Shantou, PR China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, PR China
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7
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Chaudhary P, Yadav K, Lee HJ, Kang KW, Mo J, Kim JA. siRNA treatment targeting integrin α11 overexpressed via EZH2-driven axis inhibits drug-resistant breast cancer progression. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:72. [PMID: 38664825 PMCID: PMC11046805 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01827-4] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, faces treatment challenges due to drug resistance, posing a serious threat to patient survival. The present study aimed to identify the key molecules that drive drug resistance and aggressiveness in breast cancer cells and validate them as therapeutic targets. METHODS Transcriptome microarray and analysis using PANTHER pathway and StemChecker were performed to identify the most significantly expressed genes in tamoxifen-resistant and adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Clinical relevance of the key genes was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset of breast cancer patients. Gene overexpression/knockdown, spheroid formation, flow cytometric analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, wound healing/transwell migration assays, and cancer stem cell transcription factor activation profiling array were used to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of integrin α11 expression. Tumour-bearing xenograft models were used to demonstrate integrin α11 is a potential therapeutic target. RESULTS Integrin α11 was consistently upregulated in drug-resistant breast cancer cells, and its silencing inhibited cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) while restoring sensitivity to anticancer drugs. HIF1α, GLI-1, and EZH2 contributed the most to the regulation of integrin α11 and EZH2 expression, with EZH2 being more necessary for EZH2 autoinduction than HIF1α and GLI-1. Additionally, unlike HIF1α or EZH2, GLI-1 was the sole transcription factor activated by integrin-linked focal adhesion kinase, indicating GLI-1 as a key driver of the EZH2-integrin α11 axis operating for cancer stem cell survival and EMT. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset also revealed both EZH2 and integrin α11 could be strong prognostic factors of relapse-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients. However, the superior efficacy of integrin α11 siRNA therapy over EZH2 siRNA treatment was demonstrated by enhanced inhibition of tumour growth and prolonged survival in murine models bearing tumours. CONCLUSION Our findings elucidate that integrin α11 is upregulated by EZH2, forming a positive feedback circuit involving FAK-GLI-1 and contributing to drug resistance, cancer stem cell survival and EMT. Taken together, the results suggest integrin α11 as a promising prognostic marker and a powerful therapeutic target for drug-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Chaudhary
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiran Yadav
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jin Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongseo Mo
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Ae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Abdullah AR, Gamal El-Din AM, El-Mahdy HA, Ismail Y, El-Husseiny AA. The crucial role of fascin-1 in the pathogenesis, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance of breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155079. [PMID: 38219494 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women to be diagnosed, and it is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women globally. It is the disease that causes the most life years adjusted for disability lost among women, making it a serious worldwide health issue. Understanding and interpreting carcinogenesis and metastatic pathways is critical for curing malignancy. Fascin-1 was recognized as an actin-bundling protein with parallel, rigid bundles as a result of the cross-linking of F-actin microfilaments. Increasing levels of fascin-1 have been associated with bad prognostic profiles, aggressiveness of clinical courses, and poor survival outcomes in a variety of human malignancies. Cancer cells that overexpress fascin-1 have higher capabilities for proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Fascin-1 is being considered as a potential target for therapy as well as a potential biomarker for diagnostics in a variety of cancer types. This review aims to provide an overview of the FSCN1 gene and its protein structure, elucidate its physiological and pathological roles, and throw light on its involvement in the initiation, development, and chemotherapeutic resistance of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed R Abdullah
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Ayman M Gamal El-Din
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham A El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Yahia Ismail
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A El-Husseiny
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829, Cairo, Egypt.
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9
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Piwocka O, Musielak M, Ampuła K, Piotrowski I, Adamczyk B, Fundowicz M, Suchorska WM, Malicki J. Navigating challenges: optimising methods for primary cell culture isolation. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:28. [PMID: 38212739 PMCID: PMC10785493 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03190-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary cell lines are invaluable for exploring cancer biology and investigating novel treatments. Despite their numerous advantages, primary cultures are laborious to obtain and maintain in culture. Hence, established cell lines are still more common. This study aimed to evaluate a range of techniques for isolating primary breast cancer cultures, employing distinct enzymatic compositions, incubation durations, and mechanical approaches, including filtration. Out of several protocols, we opted for a highly effective method (Method 5) that gave rise to a primary cell culture (BC160). This method combines mechanical disaggregation and enzymatic digestion with hyaluronidase and collagenase. Moreover, the paper addresses common issues in isolating primary cultures, shedding light on the struggle against fibroblasts overgrowing cancer cell populations. To make primary cell lines a preferred model, it is essential to elaborate and categorise isolation methods, develop approaches to separate heterogeneous cultures and investigate factors influencing the establishment of primary cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Piwocka
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland.
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland.
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61- 866, Poland.
| | - Marika Musielak
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61- 866, Poland
| | - Karolina Ampuła
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, 61-614, Poland
| | - Igor Piotrowski
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61- 866, Poland
| | - Beata Adamczyk
- Breast Surgical Oncology Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61-866, Poland
| | | | - Wiktoria Maria Suchorska
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61- 866, Poland
| | - Julian Malicki
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 61-701, Poland
- Medical Physics Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, 61-866, Poland
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10
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Guo L, Li F, Liu H, Kong D, Chen C, Sun S. SIX1 amplification modulates stemness and tumorigenesis in breast cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:866. [PMID: 38031089 PMCID: PMC10685563 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04679-2] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) is a transcription factor that has recently been identified as a crucial regulator of embryonic development and tumorigenesis. SIX1 is upregulated in different types of tumors, including breast cancer. However, the role and mechanism of SIX1 upregulation in breast cancer carcinogenesis remains uncertain. METHODS In this study, we utilized various databases such as UALCAN, TCGA, STRING, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter to investigate the mRNA expression, prognosis, transcriptional profile changes, signal pathway rewiring, and interaction with cancer stem cells of SIX1 in breast cancer. We also conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to validate its positive regulation effect on breast cancer stem cells. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that the expression of SIX1 varies among different subtypes of breast cancer and that it upregulates breast cancer grading and lymph node metastasis. Besides, SIX1 participates in the rewiring of several cancer signaling pathways, including estrogen, WNT, MAPK, and other pathways, and interacts with cancer stem cells. SIX1 showed a significant positive correlation with breast cancer stem cell markers such as ALDH1A1, EPCAM, ITGB1, and SOX2. Moreover, our in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that SIX1 can promote the increase in the proportion of stem cells and tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our results suggest that SIX1 plays an essential regulatory role in breast cancer's occurrence, and its amplification can be utilized as a diagnostic and prognostic predictor. The interaction between SIX1 and cancer stem cells may play a critical role in regulating breast cancer's initiation and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liantao Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Faminzi Li
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Hanqing Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Shengrong Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
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11
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Izdebska M, Zielińska W, Krajewski A, Grzanka A. Fascin in migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells - A review. Adv Med Sci 2023; 68:290-297. [PMID: 37660543 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell migration and metastasis are the biggest problems in the treatment of cancer patients. The most aggressive breast cancer (BC) is the triple-negative type. Therefore, effective therapeutic targets that limit cell migration are sought. One such target may be fascin, as its overexpression is characteristic to triple-negative breast cancer. The high level of fascin enables the formation of protrusion and thus promotes the invasion of cancer cells. Fascin also shows co-localization or functional relationships with other proteins. These are proteins involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, vimentin, cadherins, β-catenin, and matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 (MMP-2/9). Fascin is also involved in many signaling pathways protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt. Therefore, in this article, we review currently available in vitro studies and compare them with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis of BC patients to demonstrate the role of fascin in the migration and invasion of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Izdebska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Wioletta Zielińska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Adrian Krajewski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Alina Grzanka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland
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12
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Das S, Kundu M, Hassan A, Parekh A, Jena BC, Mundre S, Banerjee I, Yetirajam R, Das CK, Pradhan AK, Das SK, Emdad L, Mitra P, Fisher PB, Mandal M. A novel computational predictive biological approach distinguishes Integrin β1 as a salient biomarker for breast cancer chemoresistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166702. [PMID: 37044238 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166702] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a primary cause of breast cancer treatment failure, and protein-protein interactions significantly contribute to chemoresistance during different stages of breast cancer progression. In pursuit of novel biomarkers and relevant protein-protein interactions occurring during the emergence of breast cancer chemoresistance, we used a computational predictive biological (CPB) approach. CPB identified associations of adhesion molecules with proteins connected with different breast cancer proteins associated with chemoresistance. This approach identified an association of Integrin β1 (ITGB1) with chemoresistance and breast cancer stem cell markers. ITGB1 activated the Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) pathway promoting invasion, migration, and chemoresistance in breast cancer by upregulating Erk phosphorylation. FAK also activated Wnt/Sox2 signaling, which enhanced self-renewal in breast cancer. Activation of the FAK pathway by ITGB1 represents a novel mechanism linked to breast cancer chemoresistance, which may lead to novel therapies capable of blocking breast cancer progression by intervening in ITGB1-regulated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhayan Das
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Moumita Kundu
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Atif Hassan
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Aditya Parekh
- Anant National University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Bikash Ch Jena
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Swati Mundre
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Indranil Banerjee
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India; School of Pharmacy, Sister Nivedita University (Techno India Group), Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Rajesh Yetirajam
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Chandan K Das
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Anjan K Pradhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Pralay Mitra
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India.
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13
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Zhou H, Tan L, Liu B, Guan XY. Cancer stem cells: Recent insights and therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 209:115441. [PMID: 36720355 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115441] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumors are intricate ecosystems containing malignant components that generate adaptive and evolutionarily driven abnormal tissues. Through self-renewal and differentiation, cancers are reconstructed by a dynamic subset of stem-like cells that enforce tumor heterogeneity and remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME). Through recent technology advances, we are now better equipped to investigate the fundamental role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer biology. In this review, we discuss the latest insights into characteristics, markers and mechanism of CSCs and describe the crosstalk between CSCs and other cells in TME. Additionally, we explore the performance of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptome analysis in CSCs studies and summarize the therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs, which could broaden the understanding of CSCs and exploit for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Licheng Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Beilei Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Advanced Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technology Research Center, Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, Guangdong, China.
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14
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Li Y, Wang D, Ge H, Güngör C, Gong X, Chen Y. Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1369. [PMID: 36355541 PMCID: PMC9698833 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heming Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cenap Güngör
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuejun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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15
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Al-Khaldi S, Almohanna F, Barnawi R, Fallatah M, Islam SS, Ghebeh H, Al-Alwan M. Fascin is essential for mammary gland lactogenesis. Dev Biol 2022; 492:25-36. [PMID: 36152869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.09.003] [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: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fascin expression has commonly been observed in certain subtypes of breast cancer, where its expression is associated with poor clinical outcome. However, its role in normal mammary gland development has not been elucidated. Here, we used a fascin knockout mouse model to assess its role in normal mammary gland morphogenesis and lactation. Fascin knockout was not embryonically lethal, and its effect on the litter size or condition at birth was minimal. However, litter survival until the weaning stage significantly depended on fascin expression solely in the nursing dams. Accordingly, pups that nursed from fascin-/- dams had smaller milk spots in their abdomen, suggesting a lactation defect in the nursing dams. Mammary gland whole-mounts of pregnant and lactating fascin-/- mice showed significantly reduced side branching and alveologenesis. Despite a typical composition of basal, luminal, and stromal subsets of mammary cells and normal ductal architecture of myoepithelial and luminal layers, the percentage of alveolar progenitors (ALDH+) in fascin-/- epithelial fraction was significantly reduced. Further in-depth analyses of fascin-/- mammary glands showed a significant reduction in the expression of Elf5, the master regulator of alveologenesis, and a decrease in the activity of its downstream target p-STAT5. In agreement, there was a significant reduction in the expression of the milk proteins, whey acidic protein (WAP), and β-casein in fascin-/- mammary glands. Collectively, our data demonstrate, for the first time, the physiological role of fascin in normal mammary gland lactogenesis, an addition that could reveal its contribution to breast cancer initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiyah Al-Khaldi
- National Center for Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Mohannad Fallatah
- National Center for Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Syed S Islam
- Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hazem Ghebeh
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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16
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Tang H, Yuan J, Gong YF, Zhang CY, Liu M, Luo SX. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing reveals potential novel combination of biomarkers for antibody-based cancer therapeutics in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:928256. [PMID: 36186483 PMCID: PMC9515615 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.928256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Antibody-based cancer therapeutics is developing rapidly in recent years for its advantages in precisely targeting the tumor cells. However, tumor-specific cell surface antigens are still lacking, and the heterogeneity of tumor mass greatly impeded the development of effective drugs. Methods: In the present study, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to dissect tumor heterogeneity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tissues from different spatial regions including the tumor, para-tumor, and distant normal liver tissues were dissociated into single cells, and the gene expressions were compared in a different subpopulation of cells from these regions and validated in independent cohorts. Results: A total of 28 cell clusters with different distribution patterns and gene expression profiles were identified within a heterogenous tumor and its paired liver tissues. Differentially expressed genes encoding the plasma membrane in cells with hepatic lineage were further extracted from single-cell transcriptome sequencing and validated in TCGA database. A 3-gene signature was identified to be significantly upregulated in dominant HCC tumor cell subpopulations with prognostic significance and validated in multiple independent patient cohorts. Conclusion: The composition of the three plasma membrane proteins on the surface of HCC tumor cells within a heterogenous tumor might indicate poor prognostic tumor subpopulations during cancer evolution and potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Yuan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Feng Gong
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Yang Zhang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Su-Xia Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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17
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Zhang S, Zhu N, Li HF, Gu J, Zhang CJ, Liao DF, Qin L. The lipid rafts in cancer stem cell: a target to eradicate cancer. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:432. [PMID: 36042526 PMCID: PMC9429646 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03111-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell properties that sustain cancers, which may be responsible for cancer metastasis or recurrence. Lipid rafts are cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched microdomains in the plasma membrane that mediate various intracellular signaling. The occurrence and progression of cancer are closely related to lipid rafts. Emerging evidence indicates that lipid raft levels are significantly enriched in CSCs compared to cancer cells and that most CSC markers such as CD24, CD44, and CD133 are located in lipid rafts. Furthermore, lipid rafts play an essential role in CSCs, specifically in CSC self-renewal, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, and CSC niche. Therefore, lipid rafts are critical regulatory platforms for CSCs and promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Neng Zhu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Fang Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Gu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chan Juan Zhang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Duan Fang Liao
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Qin
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation With Chinese Medicine and Its Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 300 Xueshi Road, Hanpu Science and Education District, 410208, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Institutional Key Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Translational Medicine in Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China. .,Hunan Province Engineering Research Center of Bioactive Substance Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.
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18
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Ricci E, Fava M, Rizza P, Pellegrino M, Bonofiglio D, Casaburi I, Lanzino M, Giordano C, Bruno R, Sirianni R, Barone I, Sisci D, Morelli C. FoxO3a Inhibits Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Progression by Inducing Integrin α5 Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:214. [PMID: 35008379 PMCID: PMC8750403 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to endocrine therapy is still a major clinical challenge in the management of estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) breast cancer (BC). Here, the role of the Forkhead box class O (FoxO)3a transcription factor in tumor progression has been evaluated in tamoxifen-resistant BC cells (TamR), expressing lower levels of FoxO3a compared to sensitive ones. FoxO3a re-expression reduces TamR motility (wound-healing and transmigration assays) and invasiveness (matrigel transwell invasion assays) through the mRNA (qRT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) induction of the integrin α5 subunit of the α5β1 fibronectin receptor, a well-known membrane heterodimer controlling cell adhesion and signaling. The induction occurs through FoxO3a binding to a specific Forkhead responsive core sequence located on the integrin α5 promoter (cloning, luciferase, and ChIP assays). Moreover, FoxO3a failed to inhibit migration and invasion in integrin α5 silenced (siRNA) cells, demonstrating integrin α5 involvement in both processes. Finally, using large-scale gene expression data sets, a strong positive correlation between FoxO3a and integrin α5 in ERα+, but not in ER-negative (ERα-), BC patients emerged. Altogether, our data show how the oncosuppressor FoxO3a, by increasing the expression of its novel transcriptional target integrin α5, reverts the phenotype of endocrine-resistant BC toward a lower aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Diego Sisci
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.R.); (M.F.); (P.R.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (I.C.); (M.L.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (R.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Catia Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (E.R.); (M.F.); (P.R.); (M.P.); (D.B.); (I.C.); (M.L.); (C.G.); (R.B.); (R.S.); (I.B.)
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19
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Li CH, Chan MH, Liang SM, Chang YC, Hsiao M. Fascin-1: Updated biological functions and therapeutic implications in cancer biology. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100052. [PMID: 37082587 PMCID: PMC10074911 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Filopodia are cellular protrusions that respond to a variety of stimuli. Filopodia are formed when actin is bound to the protein Fascin, which may play a crucial role in cellular interactions and motility during cancer metastasis. Significantly, the noncanonical features of Fascin-1 are gradually being clarified, including the related molecular network contributing to metabolic reprogramming, chemotherapy resistance, stemness ac-tivity, and tumor microenvironment events. However, the relationship between biological characteristics and pathological features to identify effective therapeutic strategies needs to be studied further. The pur-pose of this review article is to provide a broad overview of the latest molecular networks and multiomics research regarding fascins and cancer. It also highlights their direct and indirect effects on available cancer treatments. With this multidisciplinary approach, researchers and clinicians can gain the most relevant in-formation on the function of fascins in cancer progression, which may facilitate clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsiu Li
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Shu-Mei Liang
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Corresponding authors.
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20
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Ruan Y, Chen L, Xie D, Luo T, Xu Y, Ye T, Chen X, Feng X, Wu X. Mechanisms of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Endocrine-Related Cancers: A Concise Outlook. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:865436. [PMID: 35464064 PMCID: PMC9021432 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.865436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is a critical treatment for endocrine-related cancers; however, chemoresistance and disease recurrence remain a challenge. The interplay between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment via cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) promotes drug resistance, known as cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). CAMs are cell surface molecules that facilitate cell-to-cell or cell-to-extracellular matrix binding. CAMs exert an adhesion effect and trigger intracellular signaling that regulates cancer cell stemness maintenance, survival, proliferation, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. To understand these mechanisms, this review focuses on the role of CD44, cadherins, selectins, and integrins in CAM-DR in endocrine-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Ruan, ; Xuedong Wu,
| | - Libai Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danfeng Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqi Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Ye
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Baoan Hospital of Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaona Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Feng
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuedong Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Ruan, ; Xuedong Wu,
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21
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Comprehensive Transcriptome and Pathway Analyses Revealed Central Role for Fascin in Promoting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121228. [PMID: 34959629 PMCID: PMC8708558 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed major progress in development of novel therapeutic agents such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for breast cancer. However, cancer-related death remains high especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) due limited therapeutic options. Development of targeted therapies for TNBC requires better understanding of biology and signaling networks that promote disease progression. Fascin, an actin bundling protein, was identified as a key regulator of many signaling pathways that contribute to breast cancer progression. Herein, fascin ShRNA was used to generate stable fascin knockdown (FSCN1KD) in the MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line and then were subjected to comprehensive mRNA and miRNA transcriptome analysis. We identified 129 upregulated and 114 downregulated mRNA transcripts, while 14 miRNAs were differentially expressed in FSCN1KD. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to predict the impact of differentially expressed transcripts on signaling pathways and functional categories and to construct miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in the context of FSCN1 knockdown. Compared to FSCN1KD, fascin-positive (FSCN1CON) breast cancer cells showed enrichment in genes promoting cellular proliferation, migration, survival, DNA replication and repair. Expression of FSCN1high (identified in BRCA dataset from TCGA) in conjunction with elevated expression of the top 10 upregulated or decreased expression of the top 10 downregulated genes (identified in our FSCN1CON vs. FSCN1KD) correlates with worst survival outcome. Taken together, these data confirmed fascin's role in promoting TNBC progression, and identified a novel opportunity for therapeutic interventions via targeting those FSCN1-related transcripts.
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22
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Curvello R, Kast V, Abuwarwar MH, Fletcher AL, Garnier G, Loessner D. 3D Collagen-Nanocellulose Matrices Model the Tumour Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Digit Health 2021; 3:704584. [PMID: 34713176 PMCID: PMC8521838 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.704584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cancer models are invaluable tools designed to study tumour biology and new treatments. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest types of cancer, has been progressively explored with bioengineered 3D approaches by deconstructing elements of its tumour microenvironment. Here, we investigated the suitability of collagen-nanocellulose hydrogels to mimic the extracellular matrix of PDAC and to promote the formation of tumour spheroids and multicellular 3D cultures with stromal cells. Blending of type I collagen fibrils and cellulose nanofibres formed a matrix of controllable stiffness, which resembled the lower profile of pancreatic tumour tissues. Collagen-nanocellulose hydrogels supported the growth of tumour spheroids and multicellular 3D cultures, with increased metabolic activity and matrix stiffness. To validate our 3D cancer model, we tested the individual and combined effects of the anti-cancer compound triptolide and the chemotherapeutics gemcitabine and paclitaxel, resulting in differential cell responses. Our blended 3D matrices with tuneable mechanical properties consistently maintain the growth of PDAC cells and its cellular microenvironment and allow the screening of anti-cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Curvello
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Verena Kast
- Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden E.V., Dresden, Germany
| | - Mohammed H Abuwarwar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Anne L Fletcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gil Garnier
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia (BioPRIA), Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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23
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Singh B, Abdelgawad ME, Ali Z, Bailey J, Budyn E, Civita P, Clift MJD, Connelly JT, Constant S, Hittinger M, Kandarova H, Kearns VR, Kiuru T, Kostrzewski T, Kress S, Durban VM, Lehr CM, McMillan H, Metz JK, Monteban V, Movia D, Neto C, Owen C, Paasonen L, Palmer KA, Pilkington GJ, Pilkington K, Prina-Mello A, Roper C, Sheard J, Smith S, Turner JE, Roy I, Tutty MA, Velliou E, Wilkinson JM. Towards More Predictive, Physiological and Animal-free In Vitro Models: Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture 2020 Conference Proceedings. Altern Lab Anim 2021; 49:93-110. [PMID: 34225465 DOI: 10.1177/02611929211025006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Experimental systems that faithfully replicate human physiology at cellular, tissue and organ level are crucial to the development of efficacious and safe therapies with high success rates and low cost. The development of such systems is challenging and requires skills, expertise and inputs from a diverse range of experts, such as biologists, physicists, engineers, clinicians and regulatory bodies. Kirkstall Limited, a biotechnology company based in York, UK, organised the annual conference, Advances in Cell and Tissue Culture (ACTC), which brought together people having a variety of expertise and interests, to present and discuss the latest developments in the field of cell and tissue culture and in vitro modelling. The conference has also been influential in engaging animal welfare organisations in the promotion of research, collaborative projects and funding opportunities. This report describes the proceedings of the latest ACTC conference, which was held virtually on 30th September and 1st October 2020, and included sessions on in vitro models in the following areas: advanced skin and respiratory models, neurological disease, cancer research, advanced models including 3-D, fluid flow and co-cultures, diabetes and other age-related disorders, and animal-free research. The roundtable session on the second day was very interactive and drew huge interest, with intriguing discussion taking place among all participants on the theme of replacement of animal models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed Essameldin Abdelgawad
- Cellular, Molecular & Industrial Biotechnology and Cellular & Molecular Immunobiology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zulfiqur Ali
- Healthcare Innovation Centre, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Jarrod Bailey
- Center for Contemporary Sciences, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Elisa Budyn
- CNRS Laboratory of Mechanics and Technology, Ecole Normale Superieure Paris-Saclay, University Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Prospero Civita
- Brain Tumour Research Centre, Institute of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (IBBS), School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Martin J D Clift
- In Vitro Toxicology Group, Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK
| | - John T Connelly
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Helena Kandarova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Victoria Rosalind Kearns
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tony Kiuru
- UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Sebastian Kress
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Cell and Tissue Culture Technologies, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), and Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hayley McMillan
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Julia Katharina Metz
- Pharmbiotec Research and Development GmbH, Saarbrücken, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Dania Movia
- Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catia Neto
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Kerri Anne Palmer
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Karen Pilkington
- School of Health and Social Care Professions, Faculty of Health and Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Adriele Prina-Mello
- Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM), Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clive Roper
- Roper Toxicology Consulting Limited, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Sheree Smith
- School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Melissa Anne Tutty
- Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eirini Velliou
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Department of Targeted Intervention, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science-UCL, London, UK
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24
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Liu H, Zhang Y, Li L, Cao J, Guo Y, Wu Y, Gao W. Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 in human cancer: promising biomarker or therapeutic target? Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 20:240-264. [PMID: 33614909 PMCID: PMC7873579 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) is a highly conserved actin-bundling protein that cross links F-actin microfilaments into tight, parallel bundles. Elevated FSCN1 levels have been reported in many types of human cancers and have been correlated with aggressive clinical progression, poor prognosis, and survival outcomes. The overexpression of FSCN1 in cancer cells has been associated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Currently, FSCN1 is recognized as a candidate biomarker for multiple cancer types and as a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to provide a brief overview of the FSCN1 gene and protein structure and elucidate on its actin-bundling activity and physiological functions. The main focus was on the role of FSCN1 and its upregulatory mechanisms and significance in cancer cells. Up-to-date studies on FSCN1 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for human cancers are reviewed. It is shown that FSCN1 is an unusual biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Jimin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Yujia Guo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Yongyan Wu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Wei Gao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, PR China
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25
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Jie Y, Peng W, Li YY. Identification of novel candidate biomarkers for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on TCGA cohort. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:5698-5717. [PMID: 33591944 PMCID: PMC7950294 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is the most serious solid tumor type throughout the world. The present study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and potential efficacious small drugs in PAAD using integrated bioinformatics analyses. A total of 4777 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered, 2536 upregulated DEGs and 2241 downregulated DEGs. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was then used and identified 12 modules, of which, blue module with the most significant enrichment result was selected. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses showed that all DEGs of blue module were enriched in EMT and PI3K/Akt pathway. Three hub genes (ITGB1, ITGB5, and OSMR) were determined as key genes with higher expression levels, significant prognostic value and excellent diagnostic efficiency for PAAD. Additionally, some small molecule drugs that possess the potential to treat PAAD were screened out, including thapsigargin (TG). Functional in vitro experiments revealed that TG repressed cell viability via inactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway in PAAD cells. Totally, our findings identified three key genes implicated in PAAD and screened out several potential small drugs to treat PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jie
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250022, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Wang Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong, P.R. China
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26
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Understanding the role of integrins in breast cancer invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Oncogene 2021; 40:1043-1063. [PMID: 33420366 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are cell adhesion receptors, which are typically transmembrane glycoproteins that connect to the extracellular matrix (ECM). The function of integrins regulated by biochemical events within the cells. Understanding the mechanisms of cell growth by integrins is important in elucidating their effects on tumor progression. One of the major events in integrin signaling is integrin binding to extracellular ligands. Another event is distant signaling that gathers chemical signals from outside of the cell and transmit the signals upon cell adhesion to the inside of the cell. In normal breast tissue, integrins function as checkpoints to monitor effects on cell proliferation, while in cancer tissue these functions altered. The combination of tumor microenvironment and its associated components determines the cell fate. Hypoxia can increase the expression of several integrins. The exosomal integrins promote the growth of metastatic cells. Expression of certain integrins is associated with increased metastasis and decreased prognosis in cancers. In addition, integrin-binding proteins promote invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. Targeting specific integrins and integrin-binding proteins may provide new therapeutic approaches for breast cancer therapies. This review will examine the current knowledge of integrins' role in breast cancer.
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27
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Trailblazing perspectives on targeting breast cancer stem cells. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 223:107800. [PMID: 33421449 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BCa) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors affecting women's health worldwide. The recurrence and metastasis of BCa have made it a long-standing challenge to achieve remission-persistent or disease-undetectable clinical outcomes. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess the ability to self-renew and generate heterogeneous tumor bulk. The existence of CSCs has been found to be vital in the initiation, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence of tumors across cancer types. Because CSCs grow slowly in their dormant state, they are insensitive to conventional chemotherapies; however, when CSCs emerge from their dormant state and become clinically evident, they usually acquire genetic traits that make them resistant to existing therapies. Moreover, CSCs also show evidence of acquired drug resistance in synchrony with tumor relapses. The concept of CSCs provides a new treatment strategy for BCa. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in research on breast CSCs and their association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), plasticity of tumor cells, tumor microenvironment (TME), T-cell modulatory protein PD-L1, and non-coding RNAs. On the basis that CSCs are associated with multiple dysregulated biological processes, we envisage that increased understanding of disease sub-classification, selected combination of conventional treatment, molecular aberration directed therapy, immunotherapy, and CSC targeting/sensitizing strategy might improve the treatment outcome of patients with advanced BCa. We also discuss novel perspectives on new drugs and therapeutics purposing the potent and selective expunging of CSCs.
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28
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Veerasubramanian PK, Trinh A, Akhtar N, Liu WF, Downing TL. Biophysical and epigenetic regulation of cancer stemness, invasiveness and immune action. CURRENT TISSUE MICROENVIRONMENT REPORTS 2020; 1:277-300. [PMID: 33817661 PMCID: PMC8015331 DOI: 10.1007/s43152-020-00021-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an amalgam of multiple dysregulated biophysical cues that can alter cellular behavior through mechanotransductive signaling and epigenetic modifications. Through this review, we seek to characterize the extent of biophysical and epigenetic regulation of cancer stemness and tumor-associated immune cells in order to identify ideal targets for cancer therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have identified cancer stemness and immune action as significant contributors to neoplastic disease, due to their susceptibility to microenvironmental influences. Matrix stiffening, altered vasculature, and resultant hypoxia within the TME can influence cancer stem cell (CSC) and immune cell behavior, as well as alter the epigenetic landscapes involved in cancer development. SUMMARY This review highlights the importance of aberrant biophysical cues in driving cancer progression through altered behavior of CSCs and immune cells, which in turn sustains further biophysical dysregulation. We examine current and potential therapeutic approaches that break this self-sustaining cycle of disease progression by targeting the presented biophysical and epigenetic signatures of cancer. We also summarize strategies including the normalization of the TME, targeted drug delivery, and inhibition of cancer-enabling epigenetic players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Krishna Veerasubramanian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Annie Trinh
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Navied Akhtar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wendy F. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Timothy L. Downing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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29
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Kang Y, Hadlock T, Lo T, Purcell E, Mutukuri A, Fouladdel S, Raguera MDS, Fairbairn H, Murlidhar V, Durham A, McLean SA, Nagrath S. Dual-Isolation and Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells and Cancer Exosomes from Blood Samples with Melanoma Using Immunoaffinity-Based Microfluidic Interfaces. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001581. [PMID: 33042766 PMCID: PMC7539202 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is among the most aggressive cancers, and its rate of incidence continues to grow. Early detection of melanoma has been hampered due to the lack of promising markers for testing. Recent advances in liquid biopsy have proposed noninvasive alternatives for cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-exosomes are gaining influence as promising biomarkers because of their cancer-associated molecular markers and signatures. However, technologies that offer the dual-isolation of CTCs and exosomes using a single sample have not been thoroughly developed. The dual-utilization OncoBean (DUO) device is conjugated with melanoma specific antibodies, MCAM and MCSP, enabling simultaneous CTC and exosome isolations. Using blood samples from patients, CTCs and exosomes are specifically isolated from a single sample and then undergo molecular profiling for comprehensive study. Melanoma patients have 0-17CTCs mL-1 and 299 µg exosomal protein mL-1 while healthy donors display fewer than 2CTCs and 75.6 µg of exosomes mL-1, respectively. It is also demonstrated that both markers express melanoma-associated genes using multiplex qRT-PCR to test for expression pattern of a 96 gene panel. The dual isolation and molecular characterization will allow for further research into melanoma to identify viable markers for disease progression and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon‐Tae Kang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Thomas Hadlock
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Ting‐Wen Lo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Emma Purcell
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Anusha Mutukuri
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Shamileh Fouladdel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Monica De Silva Raguera
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Heather Fairbairn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Vasudha Murlidhar
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
| | - Alison Durham
- University of Michigan‐Michigan Medicine1910 Taubman Center1500 E. Medical Center DriveAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Roger Cancer CenterUniversity of Michigan1500 E Medical CenterAnn Arbor48109USA
| | - Scott A. McLean
- Roger Cancer CenterUniversity of Michigan1500 E Medical CenterAnn Arbor48109USA
- Michigan Medicine Otolaryngology Clinic1910 Taubman Center1500 E. Medical Center DriveAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Sunitha Nagrath
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biointerface InstituteUniversity of Michigan2800 Plymouth Road, NCRC B10‐A184Ann ArborMI48109USA
- Roger Cancer CenterUniversity of Michigan1500 E Medical CenterAnn Arbor48109USA
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30
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Zhou Y, Cheng X, Yang Y, Li T, Li J, Huang THM, Wang J, Lin S, Jin VX. Modeling and analysis of Hi-C data by HiSIF identifies characteristic promoter-distal loops. Genome Med 2020; 12:69. [PMID: 32787954 PMCID: PMC7425017 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00769-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Current computational methods on Hi-C analysis focused on identifying Mb-size domains often failed to unveil the underlying functional and mechanistic relationship of chromatin structure and gene regulation. We developed a novel computational method HiSIF to identify genome-wide interacting loci. We illustrated HiSIF outperformed other tools for identifying chromatin loops. We applied it to Hi-C data in breast cancer cells and identified 21 genes with gained loops showing worse relapse-free survival in endocrine-treated patients, suggesting the genes with enhanced loops can be used for prognostic signatures for measuring the outcome of the endocrine treatment. HiSIF is available at https://github.com/yufanzhouonline/HiSIF .
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Zhou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cheng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yini Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Jingwei Li
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Tim H-M Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Junbai Wang
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital - Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway
| | - Shili Lin
- Department of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Victor X Jin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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31
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Walcher L, Kistenmacher AK, Suo H, Kitte R, Dluczek S, Strauß A, Blaudszun AR, Yevsa T, Fricke S, Kossatz-Boehlert U. Cancer Stem Cells-Origins and Biomarkers: Perspectives for Targeted Personalized Therapies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1280. [PMID: 32849491 PMCID: PMC7426526 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of biomarkers in diagnosis, therapy and prognosis has gained increasing interest over the last decades. In particular, the analysis of biomarkers in cancer patients within the pre- and post-therapeutic period is required to identify several types of cells, which carry a risk for a disease progression and subsequent post-therapeutic relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that can drive tumor initiation and can cause relapses. At the time point of tumor initiation, CSCs originate from either differentiated cells or adult tissue resident stem cells. Due to their importance, several biomarkers that characterize CSCs have been identified and correlated to diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. However, CSCs have been shown to display a high plasticity, which changes their phenotypic and functional appearance. Such changes are induced by chemo- and radiotherapeutics as well as senescent tumor cells, which cause alterations in the tumor microenvironment. Induction of senescence causes tumor shrinkage by modulating an anti-tumorigenic environment in which tumor cells undergo growth arrest and immune cells are attracted. Besides these positive effects after therapy, senescence can also have negative effects displayed post-therapeutically. These unfavorable effects can directly promote cancer stemness by increasing CSC plasticity phenotypes, by activating stemness pathways in non-CSCs, as well as by promoting senescence escape and subsequent activation of stemness pathways. At the end, all these effects can lead to tumor relapse and metastasis. This review provides an overview of the most frequently used CSC markers and their implementation as biomarkers by focussing on deadliest solid (lung, stomach, liver, breast and colorectal cancers) and hematological (acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia) cancers. Furthermore, it gives examples on how the CSC markers might be influenced by therapeutics, such as chemo- and radiotherapy, and the tumor microenvironment. It points out, that it is crucial to identify and monitor residual CSCs, senescent tumor cells, and the pro-tumorigenic senescence-associated secretory phenotype in a therapy follow-up using specific biomarkers. As a future perspective, a targeted immune-mediated strategy using chimeric antigen receptor based approaches for the removal of remaining chemotherapy-resistant cells as well as CSCs in a personalized therapeutic approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Walcher
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Kistenmacher
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Huizhen Suo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reni Kitte
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Dluczek
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Strauß
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - André-René Blaudszun
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tetyana Yevsa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Fricke
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uta Kossatz-Boehlert
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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32
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Urdinez J, Boro A, Mazumdar A, Arlt MJ, Muff R, Botter SM, Bode-Lesniewska B, Fuchs B, Snedeker JG, Gvozdenovic A. The miR-143/145 Cluster, a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker in Chondrosarcoma, Acts as a Tumor Suppressor and Directly Inhibits Fascin-1. J Bone Miner Res 2020; 35:1077-1091. [PMID: 32027760 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is the second most frequent bone sarcoma. Due to the inherent chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance and absence of known therapeutic targets, clinical management is limited to surgical resection. Consequently, patients with advanced disease face a poor prognosis. Hence, elucidating regulatory networks governing chondrosarcoma pathogenesis is vital for development of effective therapeutic strategies. Here, miRNA and mRNA next generation sequencing of different subtypes of human chondrogenic tumors in combination with in silico bioinformatics tools were performed with the aim to identify key molecular factors. We identified miR-143/145 cluster levels to inversely correlate with tumor grade. This deregulation was echoed in the miRNA plasma levels of patients and we provided the first evidence that circulating miR-145 is a potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarker and can be valuable as an indicator to improve the currently challenging diagnosis of cartilaginous bone tumors. Additionally, artificial upregulation of both miRNAs impelled a potent tumor suppressor effect in vitro and in vivo in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. A combined in silico/sequencing approach revealed FSCN1 as a direct target of miR-143/145, and its depletion phenotypically resembled miR-143/145 upregulation in vitro. Last, FSCN1 is a malignancy-promoting factor associated with aggressive chondrosarcoma progression. Our findings underscore miR-143/145/FSCN1 as important players in chondrosarcoma and may potentially open new avenues for specific therapeutic intervention options. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Urdinez
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandar Boro
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alekhya Mazumdar
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Je Arlt
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roman Muff
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sander M Botter
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beata Bode-Lesniewska
- Institute for Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Fuchs
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jess G Snedeker
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Gvozdenovic
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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33
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Barnawi R, Al-Khaldi S, Bakheet T, Fallatah M, Alaiya A, Ghebeh H, Al-Alwan M. Fascin Activates β-Catenin Signaling and Promotes Breast Cancer Stem Cell Function Mainly Through Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK): Relation With Disease Progression. Front Oncol 2020; 10:440. [PMID: 32373510 PMCID: PMC7186340 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare population of tumor cells with high self-renewability potential, have gained increasing attention due to their contribution to chemoresistance and metastasis. We have previously demonstrated a critical role for the actin-bundling protein (fascin) in mediating breast cancer chemoresistance through activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The latter is known to trigger the β-catenin signaling pathway. Whether fascin activation of FAK would ultimately trigger β-catenin signaling pathway has not been elucidated. Here, we assessed the effect of fascin manipulation in breast cancer cells on triggering β-catenin downstream targets and its dependence on FAK. Gain and loss of fascin expression showed its direct effect on the constitutive expression of β-catenin downstream targets and enhancement of self-renewability. In addition, fascin was essential for glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor-mediated inducible expression and function of the β-catenin downstream targets. Importantly, fascin-mediated constitutive and inducible expression of β-catenin downstream targets, as well as its subsequent effect on CSC function, was at least partially FAK dependent. To assess the clinical relevance of the in vitro findings, we evaluated the consequence of fascin, FAK, and β-catenin downstream target coexpression on the outcome of breast cancer patient survival. Patients with coexpression of fascinhigh and FAKhigh or high β-catenin downstream targets showed the worst survival outcome, whereas in fascinlow, patient coexpression of FAKhigh or high β-catenin targets had less significant effect on the survival. Altogether, our data demonstrated the critical role of fascin-mediated β-catenin activation and its dependence on intact FAK signaling to promote breast CSC function. These findings suggest that targeting of fascin-FAK-β-catenin axis may provide a novel therapeutic approach for eradication of breast cancer from the root.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayanah Barnawi
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samiyah Al-Khaldi
- National Center for Stem Cells, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tala Bakheet
- Molecular Biomedicine Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohannad Fallatah
- National Center for Stem Cells, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayodele Alaiya
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem Ghebeh
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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34
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Zhang J, Zhang S, Gao S, Ma Y, Tan X, Kang Y, Ren W. HIF-1α, TWIST-1 and ITGB-1, associated with Tumor Stiffness, as Novel Predictive Markers for the Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:2209-2222. [PMID: 32273760 PMCID: PMC7102918 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s246349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), Twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST-1), and β1 integrin (ITGB-1) expression and tumor stiffness, and evaluate performance of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, and ITGB-1 alone and in combination with Ki-67 for predicting pathological responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in breast cancer (BC). Patients and Methods This was a prospective cohort study of 104 BC patients receiving NACT. Tumor stiffness and oxygen score (OS) were evaluated before NACT by shear-wave elastography and optical imaging; HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 expression were quantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded tumor samples obtained by core needle biopsy. Indexes were compared among different residual cancer burden (RCB) groups, and associations of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 with tumor stiffness and OS were examined. The value of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67, and a possible new combined index (predRCB) for predicting NACT responses was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results HIF-1α, TWIST-1, and ITGB-1 expression were positively correlated with tumor stiffness and negatively with OS. Area under the ROC curves (AUCs) measuring the performance of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 for predicting responses to NACT were 0.81, 0.85, 0.79, and 0.80 for favorable responses, and 0.83, 0.86, 0.84, and 0.85 for resistant responses, respectively. PredRCB showed better prediction than the other individual indexes for favorable responses (AUC = 0.88) and resistant responses (AUC = 0.92). Conclusion HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 performed well in predicting favorable responses and resistance to NACT, and predRCB improved the predictive power of the individual indexes. These results support individualized treatment of BC patients receiving NACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Gao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueying Tan
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Kang
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Weidong Ren
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, People's Republic of China
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35
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Sun HR, Wang S, Yan SC, Zhang Y, Nelson PJ, Jia HL, Qin LX, Dong QZ. Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Their Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1104. [PMID: 31709180 PMCID: PMC6821685 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been demonstrated in a variety of tumors and are thought to act as a clonogenic core for the genesis of new tumor growth. This small subpopulation of cancer cells has been proposed to help drive tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and conventional therapy resistance. CSCs show self-renewal and flexible clonogenic properties and help define specific tumor microenvironments (TME). The interaction between CSCs and TME is thought to function as a dynamic support system that fosters the generation and maintenance of CSCs. Investigation of the interaction between CSCs and the TME is shedding light on the biologic mechanisms underlying the process of tumor malignancy, metastasis, and therapy resistance. We summarize recent advances in CSC biology and their environment, and discuss the challenges and future strategies for targeting this biology as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ran Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Can Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter J Nelson
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Hu-Liang Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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