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Wang Y, Peng L, Wang F. M6A-mediated molecular patterns and tumor microenvironment infiltration characterization in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2333590. [PMID: 38532632 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2333590] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most predominant RNA epigenetic regulation in eukaryotic cells. Numerous evidence revealed that m6A modification exerts a crucial role in the regulation of tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration in several tumors. Nevertheless, the potential role and mechanism of m6A modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown. mRNA expression data and clinical information from GSE102349, and GSE53819 datasets obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used for differential gene expression and subsequent analysis. Consensus clustering was used to identify m6A-related molecular patterns of 88 NPC samples based on prognostic m6A regulators using Univariate Cox analysis. The TME cell-infiltrating characteristics of each m6A-related subclass were explored using single-sample gene set enrichment (ssGSEA) algorithm and CIBERSORT algotithm. DEGs between two m6A-related subclasses were screened using edgeR package. The prognostic signature and predicated nomogram were constructed based on the m6A-related DEGs. The cell infiltration and expression of prognostic signature in NPC was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Chi-square test was used to analysis the significance of difference of the categorical variables. And survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests. The NPC samples were divided into two m6A-related subclasses. The TME cell-infiltrating characteristics analyses indicated that cluster 1 is characterized by immune-related and metabolism pathways activation, better response to anit-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 treatment and chemotherapy. And cluster 2 is characterized by stromal activation, low expression of HLA family and immune checkpoints, and a worse response to anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 treatment and chemotherapy. Furthermore, we identified 1558 DEGs between two m6A-related subclasses and constructed prognostic signatures to predicate the progression-free survival (PFS) for NPC patients. Compared to non-tumor samples, REEP2, TMSB15A, DSEL, and ID4 were upregulated in NPC samples. High expression of REEP2 and TMSB15A showed poor survival in NPC patients. The interaction between REEP2, TMSB15A, DSEL, ID4, and m6A regulators was detected. Our finding indicated that m6A modification plays an important role in the regulation of TME heterogeneity and complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lisha Peng
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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2
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Li X, González-Maroto C, Tavassoli M. Crosstalk between CAFs and tumour cells in head and neck cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:303. [PMID: 38926351 PMCID: PMC11208506 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02053-9] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are amongst the most aggressive, complex, and heterogeneous malignancies. The standard of care treatments for HNC patients include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or their combination. However, around 50% do not benefit while suffering severe toxic side effects, costing the individuals and society. Decades have been spent to improve HNSCC treatment outcomes with only limited success. Much of the research in HNSCC treatment has focused on understanding the genetics of the HNSCC malignant cells, but it has become clear that tumour microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the progression as well as treatment response in HNSCC. Understanding the crosstalk between cancer cells and TME is crucial for inhibiting progression and treatment resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant component of stroma in HNSCC, serve as the primary source of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) and various pro-tumoral composites in TME. The activation of CAFs in HNSCC is primarily driven by cancer cell-secreted molecules, which in turn induce phenotypic changes, elevated secretive status, and altered ECM production profile. Concurrently, CAFs play a pivotal role in modulating the cell cycle, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and resistance to targeted and chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC cells. This modulation occurs through interactions with secreted molecules or direct contact with the ECM or CAF. Co-culture and 3D models of tumour cells and other TME cell types allows to mimic the HNSCC tumour milieu and enable modulating tumour hypoxia and reprograming cancer stem cells (CSC). This review aims to provide an update on the development of HNSCC tumour models comprising CAFs to obtain better understanding of the interaction between CAFs and tumour cells, and for providing preclinical testing platforms of current and combination with emerging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Celia González-Maroto
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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3
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Liu HY, Sun XJ, Xiu SY, Zhang XY, Wang ZQ, Gu YL, Yi CX, Liu JY, Dai YS, Yuan X, Liao HP, Liu ZM, Pang XC, Li TC. Frizzled receptors (FZDs) in Wnt signaling: potential therapeutic targets for human cancers. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01270-3. [PMID: 38632318 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01270-3] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Frizzled receptors (FZDs) are key contributors intrinsic to the Wnt signaling pathway, activation of FZDs triggering the Wnt signaling cascade is frequently observed in human tumors and intimately associated with an aggressive carcinoma phenotype. It has been shown that the abnormal expression of FZD receptors contributes to the manifestation of malignant characteristics in human tumors such as enhanced cell proliferation, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance as well as the acquisition of cancer stemness. Given the essential roles of FZD receptors in the Wnt signaling in human tumors, this review aims to consolidate the prevailing knowledge on the specific status of FZD receptors (FZD1-10) and elucidate their respective functions in tumor progression. Furthermore, we delineate the structural basis for binding of FZD and its co-receptors to Wnt, and provide a better theoretical foundation for subsequent studies on related mechanisms. Finally, we describe the existing biological classes of small molecule-based FZD inhibitors in detail in the hope that they can provide useful assistance for design and development of novel drug candidates targeted FZDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yu Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xiao-Jiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Si-Yu Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiang-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhi-Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan-Lun Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Chu-Xiao Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jun-Yan Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yu-Song Dai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xia Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hua-Peng Liao
- Yizhang County People's Hospital, Chenzhou, 424200, China
| | - Zhen-Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Xiao-Cong Pang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100034, China.
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4
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Farah CS, Shearston K, Turner EC, Vacher M, Fox SA. Global gene expression profile of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and its underlying biological disease mechanisms. Oral Oncol 2024; 151:106737. [PMID: 38408418 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106737] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a rare and enigmatic oral potentially malignant disorder which almost invariably results in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aims of this project were to use transcriptome profiling to characterise PVL gene expression patterns for biomarker identification and gain insight into the molecular aetiopathogenesis of PVL. METHODS Forty-three oral cavity mucosal biopsies from 32 patients with oral lesions clinically compatible with either PVL or non-PVL conventional oral leukoplakia (OLK) underwent transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing. Data was analysed by hierarchical clustering, differential gene expression, functional enrichment and network analysis, sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis sPLS-DA, and immune cell phenotypic estimation. RESULTS We found 464 genes significantly differentially expressed at least 2-fold between PVL and non-PVL OLK (193 up and 271 down). HOX genes, including HOXA1 and HOXB7, keratin-associated proteins (KRTAPs) and olfactory receptor G proteins (OR) were significantly upregulated in PVL. Other upregulated genes in PVL included FOS, WNT16 and IFNA1. Pathway analysis showed that there was a significant downregulation of connective tissue signalling in PVL. Classifying multivariate models based upon 22 genes discriminated PVL from non-PVL OLK. Bioinformatic profiling showed that immune cell profiles in PVL and OLK were similar except that fibroblast markers were reduced in PVL. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that PVL and conventional OLK are molecularly distinct with upregulation of many cancer-associated genes. They provide insight into the pathogenesis of PVL and show that biomarker based molecular diagnostics is feasible to discriminate and inform diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camile S Farah
- Australian Centre for Oral Oncology Research & Education, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia; Genomics for Life, Milton, QLD, Australia.
| | - Kate Shearston
- Australian Centre for Oral Oncology Research & Education, Nedlands, WA, Australia; UWA Dental School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
| | - Emma C Turner
- UWA Dental School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Special Needs Dental Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital, Tiwi, NT, Australia
| | - Michael Vacher
- The Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Kensington, WA, Australia.
| | - Simon A Fox
- Australian Centre for Oral Oncology Research & Education, Nedlands, WA, Australia; UWA Dental School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
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Xia Y, Pei T, Zhao J, Wang Z, Shen Y, Yang Y, Liang J. Long noncoding RNA H19: functions and mechanisms in regulating programmed cell death in cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:76. [PMID: 38355574 PMCID: PMC10866971 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01832-8] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of noncoding RNAs with transcript lengths of >200 nucleotides. Mounting evidence suggests that lncRNAs are closely associated with tumorigenesis. LncRNA H19 (H19) was the first lncRNA to function as an oncogene in many malignant tumors. Apart from the established role of H19 in promoting cell growth, proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis, it has been recently discovered that H19 also inhibits programmed cell death (PCD) of cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which H19 regulates PCD in cancer cells through various signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms, and epigenetic modifications. H19 regulates PCD through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway. It also acts as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in PCD regulation. The interaction between H19 and RNA-binding proteins (RBP) regulates apoptosis in cancer. Moreover, epigenetic modifications, including DNA and RNA methylation and histone modifications, are also involved in H19-associated PCD regulation. In conclusion, we summarize the role of H19 signaling via PCD in cancer chemoresistance, highlighting the promising research significance of H19 as a therapeutic target. We hope that our study will contribute to a broader understanding of H19 in cancer development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Xia
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianjiao Pei
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Zilin Wang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Shen
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Peri SS, Narayanaa Y K, Hubert TD, Rajaraman R, Arfuso F, Sundaram S, Archana B, Warrier S, Dharmarajan A, Perumalsamy LR. Navigating Tumour Microenvironment and Wnt Signalling Crosstalk: Implications for Advanced Cancer Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5847. [PMID: 38136392 PMCID: PMC10741643 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245847] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics face significant challenges due to drug resistance and tumour recurrence. The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a crucial contributor and essential hallmark of cancer. It encompasses various components surrounding the tumour, including intercellular elements, immune system cells, the vascular system, stem cells, and extracellular matrices, all of which play critical roles in tumour progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. These components interact with multiple signalling pathways, positively or negatively influencing cell growth. Abnormal regulation of the Wnt signalling pathway has been observed in tumorigenesis and contributes to tumour growth. A comprehensive understanding and characterisation of how different cells within the TME communicate through signalling pathways is vital. This review aims to explore the intricate and dynamic interactions, expressions, and alterations of TME components and the Wnt signalling pathway, offering valuable insights into the development of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shraddha Shravani Peri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Krithicaa Narayanaa Y
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Therese Deebiga Hubert
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Roshini Rajaraman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Frank Arfuso
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Sandhya Sundaram
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.); (B.A.)
| | - B. Archana
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.); (B.A.)
| | - Sudha Warrier
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India;
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Lakshmi R. Perumalsamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India; (S.S.P.); (K.N.Y.); (T.D.H.); (R.R.)
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Kayamori K, Katsube KI, Hirai H, Harada H, Ikeda T. Role of Stromal Fibroblast-Induced WNT7A Associated with Cancer Cell Migration Through the AKT/CLDN1 Signaling Axis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100228. [PMID: 37541622 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in the progression of various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulating Wnt signaling has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the primary components of the TME, activate Wnt signaling and promote tumor progression in OSCC. We conducted a Transwell coculture assay using human OSCC cell lines and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). NHDFs stimulated WNT7A expression in several OSCC cell lines, especially HO-1-N-1 and HSC-5. An immunohistochemical study using 122 human OSCC samples indicated that high WNT7A expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with invasion depth and poor prognosis. Moreover, WNT7A expression in OSCC cells was positively correlated with α-smooth muscle actin expression in CAFs. WNT7A knockdown in OSCC cells demonstrated that OSCC cells cocultured with NHDFs significantly promoted tumor cell migration and invasion, which was dependent on WNT7A expression in OSCC cells. We also isolated HSC-5 cells from the coculture and conducted microarray analysis to investigate the factors that promote tumor progression induced by WNT7A. Among the various differentially expressed genes, we identified a downregulated gene encoding CLDN1 and confirmed that WNT7A negatively regulated CLDN1 expression in OSCC cells and CLDN1 knockdown in OSCC cells promoted their migration. Phosphokinase array analysis showed that WNT7A activates protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation. Activating AKT signaling using the SC79 agonist induced CLDN1 downregulation in OSCC cells. In the coculture assay, the AKT inhibitor MK2206 significantly recovered CLDN1 expression downregulated by WNT7A, resulting in OSCC cell migration suppression. These results suggest that CAFs stimulate OSCC cells to produce WNT7A, following CLDN1 expression downregulation by activating AKT signaling, promoting cancer cell migration. These findings highlight the importance of molecular therapies targeting the TME in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou Kayamori
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ken-Ichi Katsube
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Human Care, Tohto University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hirai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry & Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Harada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Ikeda
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Prieto-Fernández L, Montoro-Jiménez I, de Luxan-Delgado B, Otero-Rosales M, Rodrigo JP, Calvo F, García-Pedrero JM, Álvarez-Teijeiro S. Dissecting the functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts to therapeutically target head and neck cancer microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114502. [PMID: 37002578 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNC) are a diverse group of aggressive malignancies with high morbidity and mortality, leading to almost half-million deaths annually worldwide. A better understanding of the molecular processes governing tumor formation and progression is crucial to improve current diagnostic and prognostic tools as well as to develop more personalized treatment strategies. Tumors are highly complex and heterogeneous structures in which growth and dissemination is not only governed by the cancer cells intrinsic mechanisms, but also by the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as predominant TME components and key players in the generation of permissive conditions that ultimately impact in tumor progression and metastatic dissemination. Although CAFs were initially considered a consequence of tumor development, it is now well established that they actively contribute to numerous cancer hallmarks i.e., tumor cell growth, migration and invasion, cancer cell stemness, angiogenesis, metabolic reprograming, inflammation, and immune system modulation. In this scenario, therapeutic strategies targeting CAF functions could potentially have a major impact in cancer therapeutics, providing avenues for new treatment options or for improving efficacy in established approaches. This review is focused on thoroughly dissecting existing evidences supporting the contribution of CAFs in HNC biology with an emphasis on current knowledge of the key molecules and pathways involved in CAF-tumor crosstalk, and their potential as novel biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets to effectively interfere the tumor-stroma crosstalk for HNC patients benefit. involved in CAF-tumor crosstalk, and their potential as novel biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets to effec- tively interfere the tumor-stroma crosstalk for HNC patients benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Llara Prieto-Fernández
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Montoro-Jiménez
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz de Luxan-Delgado
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María Otero-Rosales
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - Juana M García-Pedrero
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Saúl Álvarez-Teijeiro
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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9
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Pećina-Šlaus N, Aničić S, Bukovac A, Kafka A. Wnt Signaling Inhibitors and Their Promising Role in Tumor Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076733. [PMID: 37047705 PMCID: PMC10095594 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In a continuous search for the improvement of antitumor therapies, the inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway has been recognized as a promising target. The altered functioning of the Wnt signaling in human tumors points to the strategy of the inhibition of its activity that would impact the clinical outcomes and survival of patients. Because the Wnt pathway is often mutated or epigenetically altered in tumors, which promotes its activation, inhibitors of Wnt signaling are being intensively investigated. It has been shown that knocking down specific components of the Wnt pathway has inhibitory effects on tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. Thus, similar effects are expected from the application of Wnt inhibitors. In the last decades, molecules acting as inhibitors on the pathway’s specific molecular levels have been identified and characterized. This review will discuss the inhibitors of the canonical Wnt pathway, summarize knowledge on their effectiveness as therapeutics, and debate their side effects. The role of the components frequently mutated in various tumors that are principal targets for Wnt inhibitors is also going to be brought to the reader’s attention. Some of the molecules identified as Wnt pathway inhibitors have reached early stages of clinical trials, and some have only just been discovered. All things considered, inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway shows potential for the development of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nives Pećina-Šlaus
- Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sara Aničić
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Bukovac
- Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Kafka
- Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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10
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Shi ZD, Pang K, Wu ZX, Dong Y, Hao L, Qin JX, Wang W, Chen ZS, Han CH. Tumor cell plasticity in targeted therapy-induced resistance: mechanisms and new strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:113. [PMID: 36906600 PMCID: PMC10008648 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of targeted therapies in cancer treatment, therapy-induced resistance remains a major obstacle to a complete cure. Tumor cells evade treatments and relapse via phenotypic switching driven by intrinsic or induced cell plasticity. Several reversible mechanisms have been proposed to circumvent tumor cell plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, regulation of transcription factors, activation or suppression of key signaling pathways, as well as modification of the tumor environment. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor cell and cancer stem cell formation also serve as roads towards tumor cell plasticity. Corresponding treatment strategies have recently been developed that either target plasticity-related mechanisms or employ combination treatments. In this review, we delineate the formation of tumor cell plasticity and its manipulation of tumor evasion from targeted therapy. We discuss the non-genetic mechanisms of targeted drug-induced tumor cell plasticity in various types of tumors and provide insights into the contribution of tumor cell plasticity to acquired drug resistance. New therapeutic strategies such as inhibition or reversal of tumor cell plasticity are also presented. We also discuss the multitude of clinical trials that are ongoing worldwide with the intention of improving clinical outcomes. These advances provide a direction for developing novel therapeutic strategies and combination therapy regimens that target tumor cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Duo Shi
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Kun Pang
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuo-Xun Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Yang Dong
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Hao
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia-Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Cong-Hui Han
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China. .,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China.
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11
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Shen Y, Chen Y, Lin Y, Li Y, Liu P, Zhang B, Wang Y, Chan KC, Mak NK, Kahn M, Qi RZ, Yang H. CDK5RAP2 is a Wnt target gene and promotes stemness and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:107. [PMID: 36774351 PMCID: PMC9922250 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05652-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a highly aggressive and frequently lethal malignancy, the role and action mechanism of the microtubule regulatory protein CDK5RAP2 have not been fully understood. Here, we show that CDK5RAP2 is highly expressed in OSCC and its expression correlates with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of the disease. The expression of CDK5RAP2 is regulated by the Wnt signaling pathway. Depletion of CDK5RAP2 inhibits the tumorigenesis and migration of OSCC cells and alters the OSCC cancer stem (-like) cell (CSC) signature. Notably, suppression of CDK5RAP2 expression disrupts spindle orientation during mitosis. Collectively, these results identify CDK5RAP2 as a potential CSC marker and reveal a mechanism that controls the CSC population in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Shen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
- Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuling Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuntao Lin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Yicun Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Biru Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
- Department of Stomatology, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, Guangdong, China
| | - Yufan Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China
| | - King-Chi Chan
- Centre for PanorOmic Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nai-Ki Mak
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Robert Z Qi
- Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust, Systems Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangdong, China.
| | - Hongyu Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital; Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialty; Guangdong Province Engineering Research Center of Oral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment; The Institute of Stomatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Guangdong, China.
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12
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Sarkar M, Nguyen T, Gundre E, Ogunlusi O, El-Sobky M, Giri B, Sarkar TR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: The chief architect in the tumor microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1089068. [PMID: 36793444 PMCID: PMC9923123 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1089068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in malignancy and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major players in tumor stroma. The heterogeneous sources of origin and subsequent impacts of crosstalk with breast cancer cells flaunt serious challenges before current therapies to cure triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other cancers. The positive and reciprocal feedback of CAFs to induce cancer cells dictates their mutual synergy in establishing malignancy. Their substantial role in creating a tumor-promoting niche has reduced the efficacy of several anti-cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Over the years, there has been an emphasis on understanding CAF-induced therapeutic resistance in order to enhance cancer therapy results. CAFs, in the majority of cases, employ crosstalk, stromal management, and other strategies to generate resilience in surrounding tumor cells. This emphasizes the significance of developing novel strategies that target particular tumor-promoting CAF subpopulations, which will improve treatment sensitivity and impede tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the origin and heterogeneity of CAFs, their role in tumor progression, and altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents in breast cancer. In addition, we also discuss the potential and possible approaches for CAF-mediated therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinmoy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Tristan Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Esheksha Gundre
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Olajumoke Ogunlusi
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Mohanad El-Sobky
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, English Bazar, India,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
| | - Tapasree Roy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
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13
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Chen Y, Chen M, Deng K. Blocking the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway to treat colorectal cancer: Strategies to improve current therapies (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 62:24. [PMID: 36579676 PMCID: PMC9854240 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumor types occurring in the digestive system. The incidence of CRC has exhibits yearly increases and the mortality rate among patients with CRC is high. The Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway, which is associated with carcinogenesis, is abnormally activated in CRC. Most patients with CRC have adenomatous polyposis coli mutations, while half of the remaining patients have β‑catenin gene mutations. Therefore, targeting the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway for the treatment of CRC is of clinical value. In recent years, with in‑depth research on the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway, inhibitors have been developed that are able to suppress or hinder the development and progression of CRC. In the present review, the role of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway in CRC is summarized, the research status on Wnt/β‑catenin pathway inhibitors is outlined and potential targets for inhibition of this pathway are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,The Laboratory of Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Gerontology, Tibetan Chengdu Branch Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Department of Gerontology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibetan Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Professor Mo Chen, Department of Gerontology, Tibetan Chengdu Branch Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 20 Ximianqiao Cross Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China, E-mail:
| | - Kai Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,The Laboratory of Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Professor Kai Deng, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China, E-mail:
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14
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Umar SA, Dong B, Nihal M, Chang H. Frizzled receptors in melanomagenesis: From molecular interactions to target identification. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1096134. [PMID: 36620565 PMCID: PMC9816865 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1096134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Frizzled (FZD) proteins are receptors for the WNT family ligands. Inherited human diseases and genetic experiments using knockout mice have revealed a central role of FZDs in multiple aspects of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Misregulated FZD signaling has also been found in many cancers. Recent studies on three out of the ten mammalian FZDs in melanoma have shown that they promote tumor cell proliferation and invasion, via the activation of the canonical WNT/β-catenin or non-canonical PCP signaling pathway. In this concise review, we summarize our current knowledge of individual FZDs in melanoma, discuss the involvement of both the canonical and non-canonical pathways, and describe ongoing efforts to target the FZD receptors for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh A. Umar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bo Dong
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Minakshi Nihal
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States,William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Hao Chang,
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15
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Jaiswal A, Singh R. Loss of Epidermal Homeostasis Underlies the Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 19:667-679. [PMID: 36520410 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10486-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common skin cancers. To develop targeted therapies for SCC, a comprehensive understanding of the disease through a systems approach is required. Here, we have collated and analyzed the literature on SCC and pathways that maintain skin homeostasis. Since, the loss of the Notch and the overactivation of the Wnt pathways in the epidermis cause SCC, we focused on these two pathways. We found that the two pathways are critical in maintaining epidermal homeostasis. Further, we found that the cancer stem cell (CSC) marker CD44 causes the transcription of SOX2, another CSC marker of SCC, activates the Wnt pathway, and blocks the Notch pathway. Similarly, the Wnt pathway causes the transcription of CD44 and SOX2 and blocks the Notch pathway. In this paper, we have discussed how the notch and the Wnt pathways affect epidermal homeostasis and the three CSCs (CD44, SOX2, and LGR6) affect the two pathways, linking the CSCs with epidermal homeostasis.
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16
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Target Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Beyond Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040585. [PMID: 35453784 PMCID: PMC9027240 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and its incidence is steadily increasing. The development of HCC is a complex, multi-step process that is accompanied by alterations in multiple signaling cascades. Recent years have seen advancement in understanding molecular signaling pathways that play central roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. Aberrant activation of YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, or Wnt/β-catenin signaling is frequently found in a subset of HCC patients. Targeting the signaling pathway via small molecule inhibitors could be a promising therapeutic option for the subset of patients. In this review, we will introduce the signaling pathways, discuss their roles in the development of HCC, and propose a therapeutic approach targeting the signaling pathways in the context of HCC. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, and its incidence is increasing steadily. To date, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are the most favored molecular targets for the treatment of HCC, followed by immune checkpoint regulators such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. With less than desirable clinical outcomes from RTK inhibitors as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) so far, novel molecular target therapies have been proposed for HCC. In this review, we will introduce diverse molecular signaling pathways that are aberrantly activated in HCC, focusing on YAP/TAZ, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting the signaling pathways in HCC.
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17
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Xu Y, Yu X, Sun Z, He Y, Guo W. Roles of lncRNAs Mediating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in HCC. Front Oncol 2022; 12:831366. [PMID: 35356220 PMCID: PMC8959654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.831366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered the second most deadly cancer worldwide. Due to the absence of early diagnostic markers and effective therapeutic approaches, distant metastasis and increasing recurrence rates are major difficulties in the clinical treatment of HCC. Further understanding of its pathogenesis has become an urgent goal in HCC research. Recently, abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was identified as a vital regulator involved in the initiation and development of HCC. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been reported to obviously impact cell proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC. This article reviews specific interactions, significant mechanisms and molecules related to HCC initiation and progression to provide promising strategies for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zongzong Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuting He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, Zhengzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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18
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Shahoumi LA. Oral Cancer Stem Cells: Therapeutic Implications and Challenges. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 2:685236. [PMID: 35048028 PMCID: PMC8757826 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.685236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is currently one of the 10 most common malignancies worldwide, characterized by a biologically highly diverse group of tumors with non-specific biomarkers and poor prognosis. The incidence rate of HNSCC varies widely throughout the world, with an evident prevalence in developing countries such as those in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. Tumor relapse and metastasis following traditional treatment remain major clinical problems in oral cancer management. Current evidence suggests that therapeutic resistance and metastasis of cancer are mainly driven by a unique subpopulation of tumor cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), or cancer-initiating cells (CICs), which are characterized by their capacity for self-renewal, maintenance of stemness and increased tumorigenicity. Thus, more understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CSCs and their behavior may help in developing effective therapeutic interventions that inhibit tumor growth and progression. This review provides an overview of the main signaling cascades in CSCs that drive tumor repropagation and metastasis in oral cancer, with a focus on squamous cell carcinoma. Other oral non-SCC tumors, including melanoma and malignant salivary gland tumors, will also be considered. In addition, this review discusses some of the CSC-targeted therapeutic strategies that have been employed to combat disease progression, and the challenges of targeting CSCs, with the aim of improving the clinical outcomes for patients with oral malignancies. Targeting of CSCs in head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a promising approach to improve disease outcome. Some CSC-targeted therapies have already been proven to be successful in pre-clinical studies and they are now being tested in clinical trials, mainly in combination with conventional treatment regimens. However, some studies revealed that CSCs may not be the only players that control disease relapse and progression of HNC. Further, clinical research studying a combination of therapies targeted against head and neck CSCs may provide significant advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linah A Shahoumi
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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19
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Purwaningsih NMS, Khor GH, Nik Mohd Rosdy NMM, Abdul Rahman EO. Wnt pathway in oral cancer: A review update. Saudi Dent J 2021; 33:813-818. [PMID: 34938020 PMCID: PMC8665198 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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20
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Loh JJ, Ma S. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast as a Dynamic Player in Mediating Cancer Stemness in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:727640. [PMID: 34760886 PMCID: PMC8573407 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.727640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The enrichment of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) in a tumor microenvironment (TME) cultivates a pro-tumorigenic niche via aberrant paracrine signaling and matrix remodeling. A favorable niche is critical to the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a population of cells that are characterized by their enhanced ability to self-renew, metastasis, and develop therapy resistance. Mounting evidence illustrates the interplay between CAF and cancer cells expedites malignant progression. Therefore, targeting the key cellular components and factors in the niche may promote a more efficacious treatment. In this study, we discuss how CAF orchestrates a niche that enhances CSC features and the potential therapeutic implication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jian Loh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, SAR China
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21
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Sompel K, Elango A, Smith AJ, Tennis MA. Cancer chemoprevention through Frizzled receptors and EMT. Discov Oncol 2021; 12:32. [PMID: 34604862 PMCID: PMC8429367 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-021-00429-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frizzled (FZD) transmembrane receptors are well known for their role in β-catenin signaling and development and now understanding of their role in the context of cancer is growing. FZDs are often associated with the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) through β-catenin, but some also influence EMT through non-canonical pathways. With ten different FZDs, there is a wide range of activity from oncogenic to tumor suppressive depending on the tissue context. Alterations in FZD signaling can occur during development of premalignant lesions, supporting their potential as targets of chemoprevention agents. Agonizing or antagonizing FZD activity may affect EMT, which is a key process in lesion progression often targeted by chemoprevention agents. Recent studies identified a specific FZD as important for activity of an EMT inhibiting chemopreventive agent and other studies have highlighted the previously unrecognized potential for targeting small molecules to FZD receptors. This work demonstrates the value of investigating FZDs in chemoprevention and here we provide a review of FZDs in cancer EMT and their potential as chemoprevention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Sompel
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th AVE, RC2 Box C272, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - A. Elango
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th AVE, RC2 Box C272, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - A. J. Smith
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th AVE, RC2 Box C272, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - M. A. Tennis
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th AVE, RC2 Box C272, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
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22
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Shi X, Luo J, Weigel KJ, Hall SC, Du D, Wu F, Rudolph MC, Zhou H, Young CD, Wang XJ. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Facilitate Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lung Metastasis in Mice by Providing TGFβ-Mediated Cancer Stem Cell Niche. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668164. [PMID: 34527666 PMCID: PMC8435687 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been shown to enhance squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) growth, but it is unclear whether they promote SCC lung metastasis. We generated CAFs from K15.KrasG12D.Smad4-/- mouse SCCs. RNA expression analyses demonstrated that CAFs had enriched transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling compared to normal tissue-associated fibroblasts (NAFs), therefore we assessed how TGFβ-enriched CAFs impact SCC metastasis. We co-injected SCC cells with CAFs to the skin, tail vein, or the lung to mimic sequential steps of lung metastasis. CAFs increased SCC volume only in lung co-transplantations, characterized with increased proliferation and angiogenesis and decreased apoptosis compared to NAF co-transplanted SCCs. These CAF effects were attenuated by a clinically relevant TGFβ receptor inhibitor, suggesting that CAFs facilitated TGFβ-dependent SCC cell seeding and survival in the lung. CAFs also increased tumor volume when co-transplanted to the lung with limiting numbers of SCC cancer stem cells (CSCs). In vitro, CSC sphere formation and invasion were increased either with co-cultured CAFs or with CAF conditioned media (which contains the highest TGFβ1 concentration) and these CAF effects were blocked by TGFβ inhibition. Further, TGFβ activation was higher in primary human oral SCCs with lung metastasis than SCCs without lung metastasis. Similarly, TGFβ activation was detected in the lungs of mice with micrometastasis. Our data suggest that TGFβ-enriched CAFs play a causal role in CSC seeding and expansion in the lung during SCC metastasis, providing a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for SCC lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueke Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jingjing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kelsey J. Weigel
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Spencer C. Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Danfeng Du
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Fanglong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Michael C. Rudolph
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Christian D. Young
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, CO, United States
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23
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Yu F, Yu C, Li F, Zuo Y, Wang Y, Yao L, Wu C, Wang C, Ye L. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and targeted therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:307. [PMID: 34456337 PMCID: PMC8403677 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00701-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been broadly implicated in human cancers and experimental cancer models of animals. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is tightly linked with the increment of prevalence, advancement of malignant progression, development of poor prognostics, and even ascendence of the cancer-associated mortality. Early experimental investigations have proposed the theoretical potential that efficient repression of this signaling might provide promising therapeutic choices in managing various types of cancers. Up to date, many therapies targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers have been developed, which is assumed to endow clinicians with new opportunities of developing more satisfactory and precise remedies for cancer patients with aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, current facts indicate that the clinical translations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent targeted therapies have faced un-neglectable crises and challenges. Therefore, in this study, we systematically reviewed the most updated knowledge of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and relatively targeted therapies to generate a clearer and more accurate awareness of both the developmental stage and underlying limitations of Wnt/β-catenin-targeted therapies in cancers. Insights of this study will help readers better understand the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and provide insights to acknowledge the current opportunities and challenges of targeting this signaling in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changhao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feifei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanqin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yitian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenzhou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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24
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Affolter A, Lammert A, Kern J, Scherl C, Rotter N. Precision Medicine Gains Momentum: Novel 3D Models and Stem Cell-Based Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:666515. [PMID: 34307351 PMCID: PMC8296983 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666515] [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: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the current progress in the development of new concepts of precision medicine for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in particular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI), overall survival rates have not improved during the last decades. This is, on the one hand, caused by the fact that a significant number of patients presents with late stage disease at the time of diagnosis, on the other hand HNSCC frequently develop therapeutic resistance. Distinct intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity is one of the strongest features in HNSCC and has hindered both the identification of specific biomarkers and the establishment of targeted therapies for this disease so far. To date, there is a paucity of reliable preclinical models, particularly those that can predict responses to immune CPI, as these models require an intact tumor microenvironment (TME). The "ideal" preclinical cancer model is supposed to take both the TME as well as tumor heterogeneity into account. Although HNSCC patients are frequently studied in clinical trials, there is a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers allowing a better stratification of individuals who might benefit from new concepts of targeted or immunotherapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic. Through the process of stemness, epithelial cells acquire an invasive phenotype contributing to metastasis and recurrence. Specific markers for CSC such as CD133 and CD44 expression and ALDH activity help to identify CSC in HNSCC. For the majority of patients, allocation of treatment regimens is simply based on histological diagnosis and on tumor location and disease staging (clinical risk assessments) rather than on specific or individual tumor biology. Hence there is an urgent need for tools to stratify HNSCC patients and pave the way for personalized therapeutic options. This work reviews the current literature on novel approaches in implementing three-dimensional (3D) HNSCC in vitro and in vivo tumor models in the clinical daily routine. Stem-cell based assays will be particularly discussed. Those models are highly anticipated to serve as a preclinical prediction platform for the evaluation of stable biomarkers and for therapeutic efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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25
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Xie J, Huang L, Lu YG, Zheng DL. Roles of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 7:590912. [PMID: 33469547 PMCID: PMC7814318 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.590912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common type of head and neck tumor. It is a high incidence malignant tumor associated with a low survival rate and limited treatment options. Accumulating conclusions indicate that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a vital role in the pathobiological process of HNSCC. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects a variety of cellular progression, enabling tumor cells to maintain and further promote the immature stem-like phenotype, proliferate, prolong survival, and gain invasiveness. Genomic studies of head and neck tumors have shown that although β-catenin is not frequently mutated in HNSCC, its activity is not inhibited by mutations in upstream gene encoding β-catenin, NOTCH1, FAT1, and AJUBA. Genetic defects affect the components of the Wnt pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate inhibitors of the Wnt pathway. This paper aims to summarize the groundbreaking discoveries and recent advances involving the Wnt signaling pathway and highlight the relevance of this pathway in head and neck squamous cell cancer, which will help provide new insights into improving the treatment of human HNSCC by interfering with the transcriptional signaling of Wnt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Preventive Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - You-Guang Lu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Preventive Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Da-Li Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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26
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Zhang Y, Wang X. Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:165. [PMID: 33276800 PMCID: PMC7716495 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 615] [Impact Index Per Article: 153.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway facilitates cancer stem cell renewal, cell proliferation and differentiation, thus exerting crucial roles in tumorigenesis and therapy response. Accumulated investigations highlight the therapeutic potential of agents targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer. Wnt ligand/ receptor interface, β-catenin destruction complex and TCF/β-catenin transcription complex are key components of the cascade and have been targeted with interventions in preclinical and clinical evaluations. This scoping review aims at outlining the latest progress on the current approaches and perspectives of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway targeted therapy in various cancer types. Better understanding of the updates on the inhibitors, antagonists and activators of Wnt/β-catenin pathway rationalizes innovative strategies for personalized cancer treatment. Further investigations are warranted to confirm precise and secure targeted agents and achieve optimal use with clinical benefits in malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,School of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 250021, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,School of medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 250021, China.
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27
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Morton JJ, Alzofon N, Keysar SB, Chimed TS, Reisinger J, Perrenoud L, Le PN, Nieto C, Gomez K, Miller B, Yeager R, Gao D, Tan AC, Somerset H, Medina T, Wang XJ, Wang JH, Robinson W, Roop DR, Gonzalez R, Jimeno A. Studying Immunotherapy Resistance in a Melanoma Autologous Humanized Mouse Xenograft. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:346-357. [PMID: 33087417 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to immunotherapy is a significant challenge, and the scarcity of human models hinders the identification of the underlying mechanisms. To address this limitation, we constructed an autologous humanized mouse (aHM) model with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) and tumors from 2 melanoma patients progressing to immunotherapy. Unlike mismatched humanized mouse (mHM) models, generated from cord blood-derived HSPCs and tumors from different donors, the aHM recapitulates a patient-specific tumor microenvironment (TME). When patient tumors were implanted on aHM, mHM, and NOD/SCID/IL2rg-/- (NSG) cohorts, tumors appeared earlier and grew faster on NSG and mHM cohorts. We observed that immune cells differentiating in the aHM were relatively more capable of circulating peripherally, invading into tumors and interacting with the TME. A heterologous, human leukocyte antigen (HLA-A) matched cohort also yielded slower growing tumors than non-HLA-matched mHM, indicating that a less permissive immune environment inhibits tumor progression. When the aHM, mHM, and NSG cohorts were treated with immunotherapies mirroring what the originating patients received, tumor growth in the aHM accelerated, similar to the progression observed in the patients. This rapid growth was associated with decreased immune cell infiltration, reduced interferon gamma (IFNγ)-related gene expression, and a reduction in STAT3 phosphorylation, events that were replicated in vitro using tumor-derived cell lines. IMPLICATIONS: Engrafted adult HSPCs give rise to more tumor infiltrative immune cells, increased HLA matching leads to slower tumor initiation and growth, and continuing immunotherapy past progression can paradoxically lead to increased growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jason Morton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Nathaniel Alzofon
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stephen B Keysar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tugs-Saikhan Chimed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Julie Reisinger
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Loni Perrenoud
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Phuong N Le
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cera Nieto
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Karina Gomez
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Bettina Miller
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Randi Yeager
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dexiang Gao
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hilary Somerset
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Theresa Medina
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jing H Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - William Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dennis R Roop
- Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rene Gonzalez
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Antonio Jimeno
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado. .,Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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28
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Custódio M, Biddle A, Tavassoli M. Portrait of a CAF: The story of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 2020; 110:104972. [PMID: 33011636 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Complex interactions take place during cancer formation and progression. In this regard, there has been increasing focus on the non-malignant cells that make up the tumour microenvironment (TME), and how they interact with malignant tumour cells. TME is highly heterogeneous and has a major influence on tumour behaviour and therapy response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the main components of the TME, establish dangerous liaisons with cancer cells and other components of the TME to shape a tumour-supportive environment in many types of cancer. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) encompass the malignant neoplasms arising from the mucosal lining of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. The TME of HNSCC contributes to tumour progression and this stromal compartment may be an interesting target for treatment. There is an emerging picture of the behaviour of CAFs in HNSCC; how they affect and are affected by the TME. We aim to summarise and discuss the current understanding of CAFs in head and neck cancer, exploring CAF activation and heterogeneity, and interaction with cancer cells and other cells within the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Custódio
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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29
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Wu D, He X, Wang W, Hu X, Wang K, Wang M. Long noncoding RNA SNHG12 induces proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and stemness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via post-transcriptional regulation of BMI1 and CTNNB1. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:2332-2351. [PMID: 32239639 PMCID: PMC7463312 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors around the world. Numerous studies have revealed the function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancers, including ESCC. In this study, lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12), mainly distributed in ESCC cell cytoplasm, was overexpressed in ESCC specimens and CD133+ cells. In CD133‐ ESCC cells, SNHG12 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness and SNHG12 silencing led to opposite results. Furthermore, SNHG12 sequestered miR‐6835‐3p and induced the proto‐oncogene, polycomb ring finger (BMI1). SNHG12 also enhanced the stability of CTNNB1, the mRNA encoding β‐catenin, via recruiting insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) in ESCC. Rescue assays indicated that CTNNB1 and BMI1 were targets for SNHG12 to regulate ESCC cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and stemness. Furthermore, SOX4 (sex‐determining region Y‐box 4) bound with the SNHG12 promoter to transcriptionally activate SNHG12 in ESCC. Finally, in vivo data showed SNHG12 knockdown retarded tumorigenesis and metastasis in ESCC. In summary, SNHG12 induces proliferation, migration, EMT, and stemness of ESCC cells via post‐transcriptional regulation of BMI1 and CTNNB1, indicating that targeting SNHG12 might be a novel target for ESCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duoguang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotian He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueting Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kefeng Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minghui Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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30
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Wnt Signaling in Gynecologic Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124272. [PMID: 32560059 PMCID: PMC7348953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gynecologic malignancies, including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer, affect hundreds of thousands of women worldwide every year. Wnt signaling, specifically Wnt/β-catenin signaling, has been found to play an essential role in many oncogenic processes in gynecologic malignancies, including tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance. As such, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has the potential to be a target for effective treatment, improving patient outcomes. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the importance of the Wnt signaling pathways in the development, progression, and treatment of gynecologic malignancies.
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31
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Zappavigna S, Cossu AM, Grimaldi A, Bocchetti M, Ferraro GA, Nicoletti GF, Filosa R, Caraglia M. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs as Anticancer Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072605. [PMID: 32283655 PMCID: PMC7177823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is strictly associated with cancer and plays a key role in tumor development and progression. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that inflammation can predispose to tumors, therefore targeting inflammation and the molecules involved in the inflammatory process could represent a good strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. In the past, several clinical studies have demonstrated that many anti-inflammatory agents, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are able to interfere with the tumor microenvironment by reducing cell migration and increasing apoptosis and chemo-sensitivity. This review focuses on the link between inflammation and cancer by describing the anti-inflammatory agents used in cancer therapy, and their mechanisms of action, emphasizing the use of novel anti-inflammatory agents with significant anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zappavigna
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.C.); (A.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessia Maria Cossu
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.C.); (A.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Molecular and Precision Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Anna Grimaldi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.C.); (A.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Marco Bocchetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.C.); (A.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Molecular and Precision Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Andrea Ferraro
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania, “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Plastic Surgery Unit, 80138 Naples, Italy; (G.A.F.); (G.F.N.)
| | - Giovanni Francesco Nicoletti
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania, “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Plastic Surgery Unit, 80138 Naples, Italy; (G.A.F.); (G.F.N.)
| | - Rosanna Filosa
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
- Consorzio Sannio Tech-AMP Biotec, 82030 Apollosa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.C.); (A.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Molecular and Precision Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
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32
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Paluszczak J. The Significance of the Dysregulation of Canonical Wnt Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030723. [PMID: 32183420 PMCID: PMC7140616 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The knowledge about the molecular alterations which are found in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) has much increased in recent years. However, we are still awaiting the translation of this knowledge to new diagnostic and therapeutic options. Among the many molecular changes that are detected in head and neck cancer, the abnormalities in several signaling pathways, which regulate cell proliferation, cell death and stemness, seem to be especially promising with regard to the development of targeted therapies. Canonical Wnt signaling is a pathway engaged in the formation of head and neck tissues, however it is not active in adult somatic mucosal cells. The aim of this review paper is to bring together significant data related to the current knowledge on the mechanisms and functional significance of the dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in head and neck tumors. Research evidence related to the role of Wnt signaling activation in the stimulation of cell proliferation, migration and inhibition of apoptosis in HNSCC is presented. Moreover, its role in promoting stemness traits in head and neck cancer stem-like cells is described. Evidence corroborating the hypothesis that the Wnt signaling pathway is a very promising target of novel therapeutic interventions in HNSCC is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarosław Paluszczak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul. Swiecickiego 4, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
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33
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Zhu Q, Shen Y, Chen X, He J, Liu J, Zu X. Self-Renewal Signalling Pathway Inhibitors: Perspectives on Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer Stem Cells. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:525-540. [PMID: 32021295 PMCID: PMC6970631 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s224465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor survival and prognosis of individuals with cancer are often attributed to tumour relapse and metastasis, which may be due to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have the characteristics of self-renewal, differentiation potential, high carcinogenicity, and drug resistance. In addition, CSCs exhibit many characteristics similar to those of embryonic or tissue stem cells while displaying persistent abnormal activation of self-renewal pathways associated with development and tissue homeostasis, including the Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog (Hh), TGF-β, JAK/STAT3, and NF-κB pathways. Therefore, we can eliminate CSCs by targeting these self-renewal pathways to constrain stem cell replication, survival and differentiation. At the same time, we cannot neglect the ping-pong effect of the tumour microenvironment, which releases cytokines and promotes self-renewal pathways in CSCs. Recently, meaningful progress has been made in the study of inhibitors of self-renewal pathways in tumours. This review primarily summarizes several representative and novel agents targeting these self-renewal signalling pathways and the tumour microenvironment and that represent a promising strategy for treating refractory and recurrent cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Zhu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Shen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiguang Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianghua Liu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
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34
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Keysar SB, Gomes N, Miller B, Jackson BC, Le PN, Morton JJ, Reisinger J, Chimed TS, Gomez KE, Nieto C, Frederick B, Pronk GJ, Somerset HL, Tan AC, Wang XJ, Raben D, Su TT, Jimeno A. Inhibiting Translation Elongation with SVC112 Suppresses Cancer Stem Cells and Inhibits Growth in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1183-1198. [PMID: 31911553 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) drive growth, therapy resistance, and recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Regulation of protein translation is crucial for normal stem cells and CSCs; its inhibition could disrupt stemness properties, but translation inhibitors are limited clinically due to toxicity. SVC112 is a synthetic derivative of bouvardin, a plant-derived translation elongation inhibitor. SVC112 had greater antiproliferative effects on HNSCC cells compared with the FDA-approved translation inhibitor omacetaxine mepesuccinate (HHT). SVC112 preferentially inhibited cancer cells compared with patient-matched cancer-associated fibroblasts, whereas HHT was equally toxic to both. SVC112 reduced sphere formation by cell lines and CSCs. SVC112 alone inhibited the growth of patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and SVC112 combined with radiation resulted in tumor regression in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC PDXs. Notably, CSC depletion after SVC112 correlated with tumor response. SVC112 preferentially impeded ribosomal processing of mRNAs critical for stress response and decreased CSC-related proteins including Myc and Sox2. SVC112 increased cell-cycle progression delay and slowed DNA repair following radiation, enhancing colony and sphere formation radiation effects. In summary, these data demonstrate that SVC112 suppresses CSC-related proteins, enhances the effects of radiation, and blocks growth of HNSCC PDXs by inhibiting CSCs. SIGNIFICANCE: Inhibiting protein elongation with SVC112 reduces tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and increases the effects of radiation by targeting the cancer stem cell pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B Keysar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Bettina Miller
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Brian C Jackson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Phuong N Le
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - J Jason Morton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Julie Reisinger
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tugs-Saikhan Chimed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Karina E Gomez
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cera Nieto
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | | | - Hilary L Somerset
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David Raben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tin Tin Su
- SuviCa, Inc., Boulder, Colorado. .,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Antonio Jimeno
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado. .,Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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35
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Nie X, Liu H, Liu L, Wang YD, Chen WD. Emerging Roles of Wnt Ligands in Human Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1341. [PMID: 32923386 PMCID: PMC7456893 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is universal in most CRC cases. Wnt ligands (Wnts) are secreted glycoproteins and fundamentally essential for the transduction of Wnt signaling pathway. However, the 19 members of Wnts in humans imply a daunting complexity of Wnt signaling and biological effects, and our understanding of their roles in CRC tumorigenesis is still quite rudimentary. This review will give an overview of the structural characteristics and maturation process of Wnts. The expression pattern of all human Wnts in CRC tissues, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt6, Wnt7a, Wnt7b, Wnt8a, Wnt8b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, Wnt10a, Wnt10b, Wnt11, and Wnt16, and their relationship with the tumorigenesis and the progression of CRC will be specifically summarized separately. Despite certain challenges, Wnt-based therapeutics for CRC emerge continuously and some are now in clinical trials. In conclusion, a deep understanding of Wnts is very helpful for a better management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Nie
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, People's Hospital of Hebi, School of Medicine, Henan University, Henan, China
| | - Huiyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, People's Hospital of Hebi, School of Medicine, Henan University, Henan, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, People's Hospital of Hebi, School of Medicine, Henan University, Henan, China
| | - Yan-Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yan-Dong Wang
| | - Wei-Dong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, People's Hospital of Hebi, School of Medicine, Henan University, Henan, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Wei-Dong Chen
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36
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Chen D, Wang CY. Targeting cancer stem cells in squamous cell carcinoma. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2019; 2:152-165. [PMID: 31598386 PMCID: PMC6770277 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive tumor and the sixth
most common cancer worldwide. Current treatment strategies for HNSCC are surgery,
radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or combinatorial therapies. However, the overall
5-year survival rate of HNSCC patients remains at about 50%. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a
small population among tumor cells, are able to self-renew and differentiate into
different tumor cell types in a hierarchical manner, similar to normal tissue. In HNSCC,
CSCs are proposed to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, drug
resistance, and recurrence. In this review, we discuss the molecular and cellular
characteristics of CSCs in HNSCC. We summarize current approaches used in the literature
for identification of HNSCC CSCs, and mechanisms required for CSC regulation. We also
highlight the role of CSCs in treatment failure and therapeutic targeting options for
eliminating CSCs in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeng Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Broad Stem Cell Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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37
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Targeting Cellular Metabolism Modulates Head and Neck Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163960. [PMID: 31416244 PMCID: PMC6721038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the great energy and biomass demand for cell survival, cancer cells exhibit unique metabolic signatures compared to normal cells. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent neoplasms worldwide. Recent findings have shown that environmental challenges, as well as intrinsic metabolic manipulations, could modulate HNSCC experimentally and serve as clinic prognostic indicators, suggesting that a better understanding of dynamic metabolic changes during HNSCC development could be of great benefit for developing adjuvant anti-cancer schemes other than conventional therapies. However, the following questions are still poorly understood: (i) how does metabolic reprogramming occur during HNSCC development? (ii) how does the tumorous milieu contribute to HNSCC tumourigenesis? and (iii) at the molecular level, how do various metabolic cues interact with each other to control the oncogenicity and therapeutic sensitivity of HNSCC? In this review article, the regulatory roles of different metabolic pathways in HNSCC and its microenvironment in controlling the malignancy are therefore discussed in the hope of providing a systemic overview regarding what we knew and how cancer metabolism could be translated for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic reagents.
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38
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Zhang D, Li G, Chen X, Jing Q, Liu C, Lu S, Huang D, Wang Y, Tan P, Chen J, Zhang X, Qiu Y, Liu Y. Wnt3a protein overexpression predicts worse overall survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer 2019; 10:4633-4638. [PMID: 31528227 PMCID: PMC6746142 DOI: 10.7150/jca.35009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As a classical ligand in the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the role of Wnt3a in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. Therefore, the expression pattern of the Wnt3a protein in 222 primary LSCC, and 19 corresponding adjacent non-carcinoma specimens, was detected by immunohistochemistry and further correlated with clinicopathological parameters. The results showed that LSCC tissue expressed higher levels of the Wnt3a protein when compared to the corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues. High expression of Wnt3a was closely related to histological grade (P = 0.031), clinical stage (I+II / III+IV; P = 0.004), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.03). Kaplan-Meier analysis evidenced that a worse overall survival (OS) was correlated to the group with high Wnt3a expression (P = 0.003). When stratified survival analyses were performed, patients with lymph node metastasis/advanced clinical stages and high Wnt3a expression had worse OS rates than patients with other features (P < 0.001). Finally, multivariate analysis showed that Wnt3a expression was an independent prognosis factor for LSCC patients. The current findings suggest that Wnt3a is tightly related to the LSCC progression and could serve as a valuable clinic biomarker for LSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diekuo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiyu Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiancheng Jing
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Changsha Central Hospital, 161 Shaoshan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410004, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanhong Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghai Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingqing Tan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzheng Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China.,Otolaryngology Major Disease Research, Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan 410008, People's Republic of China
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39
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Vallée A, Lecarpentier Y, Vallée JN. Targeting the Canonical WNT/β-Catenin Pathway in Cancer Treatment Using Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070726. [PMID: 31311204 PMCID: PMC6679009 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are common and co-substantial pathological processes accompanying and contributing to cancers. Numerous epidemiological studies have indicated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could have a positive effect on both the prevention of cancer and tumor therapy. Numerous hypotheses have postulated that NSAIDs could slow tumor growth by acting on both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. This review takes a closer look at these hypotheses. In the cancer process, one of the major signaling pathways involved is the WNT/β-catenin pathway, which appears to be upregulated. This pathway is closely associated with both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in cancers. The administration of NSAIDs has been observed to help in the downregulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway and thus in the control of tumor growth. NSAIDs act as PPARγ agonists. The WNT/β-catenin pathway and PPARγ act in opposing manners. PPARγ agonists can promote cell cycle arrest, cell differentiation, and apoptosis, and can reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, and cell migration. In parallel, the dysregulation of circadian rhythms (CRs) contributes to cancer development through the upregulation of the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway. By stimulating PPARγ expression, NSAIDs can control CRs through the regulation of many key circadian genes. The administration of NSAIDs in cancer treatment would thus appear to be an interesting therapeutic strategy, which acts through their role in regulating WNT/β-catenin pathway and PPARγ activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Vallée
- Diagnosis and Therapeutic Center, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention Unit, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris Descartes, 75004 Paris, France.
| | - Yves Lecarpentier
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien (GHEF), 6-8 rue Saint-fiacre, 77100 Meaux, France
| | - Jean-Noël Vallée
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Amiens Picardie, Université Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV), 80054 Amiens, France
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), UMR CNRS 7348, Université de Poitiers, 86000 Poitiers, France
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40
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Peitzsch C, Nathansen J, Schniewind SI, Schwarz F, Dubrovska A. Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Identification, Characterization and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050616. [PMID: 31052565 PMCID: PMC6562868 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Despite advances in the treatment management, locally advanced disease has a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. The growth of HNSCC is maintained by a population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) which possess unlimited self-renewal potential and induce tumor regrowth if not completely eliminated by therapy. The population of CSCs is not only a promising target for tumor treatment, but also an important biomarker to identify the patients at risk for therapeutic failure and disease progression. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent pre-clinical and clinical studies on the biology and potential therapeutic implications of HNSCC stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Peitzsch
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Jacqueline Nathansen
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sebastian I Schniewind
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Franziska Schwarz
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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41
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The Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Microenvironment as a Potential Target for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040440. [PMID: 30925774 PMCID: PMC6520833 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Similarly to other types of malignant tumours, the incidence of head and neck cancer is increasing globally. It is frequently associated with smoking and alcohol abuse, and in a broader sense also with prolonged exposure to these factors during ageing. A higher incidence of tumours observed in younger populations without a history of alcohol and tobacco abuse may be due to HPV infection. Malignant tumours form an intricate ecosystem of cancer cells, fibroblasts, blood/lymphatic capillaries and infiltrating immune cells. This dynamic system, the tumour microenvironment, has a significant impact on the biological properties of cancer cells. The microenvironment participates in the control of local aggressiveness of cancer cells, their growth, and their consequent migration to lymph nodes and distant organs during metastatic spread. In cancers originating from squamous epithelium, a similarity was demonstrated between the cancer microenvironment and healing wounds. In this review, we focus on the specificity of the microenvironment of head and neck cancer with emphasis on the mechanism of intercellular crosstalk manipulation for potential therapeutic application.
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