1
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Mao B, Liu S, Zhu S, Wu F, Yuan W, Yan Y, Wang B. The janus face of serotonin: Regenerative promoter and chronic liver disease aggravator. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30703. [PMID: 38756588 PMCID: PMC11096747 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30703] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The progression of liver diseases, from viral hepatitis and fatty liver disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most representative series of pathological events in liver diseases. While serotonin (5-HT) primarily regulates brain functions such as psychology, mood, and appetite in the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral 5-HT plays a crucial role in regulating tumor development, glucose and lipid metabolism, immune function and inflammatory response related to liver diseases. These peripheral physiological processes involving 5-HT are the key mechanisms driving the development of these liver diseases. This study presents an overview of the existing literature, focusing on the role of 5-HT in HCC, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and liver injury. In summary, while 5-HT promotes liver regeneration, it can also contribute to the progression of chronic liver disease. These findings indicate the potential for the development and use of 5-HT-related drugs for the treatment of liver diseases, including HCC and cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benliang Mao
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shoupei Liu
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Translational Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanfei Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bailin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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2
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Heumann P, Albert A, Gülow K, Tümen D, Müller M, Kandulski A. Insights in Molecular Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1831. [PMID: 38791911 PMCID: PMC11120383 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We conducted a comprehensive review of the current literature of published data and clinical trials (MEDLINE), as well as published congress contributions and active recruiting clinical trials on targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Combinations of different agents and medical therapy along with radiological interventions were analyzed for the setting of advanced HCC. Those settings were also analyzed in combination with adjuvant situations after resection or radiological treatments. We summarized the current knowledge for each therapeutic setting and combination that currently is or has been under clinical evaluation. We further discuss the results in the background of current treatment guidelines. In addition, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways for each of these investigated targets and drugs to further elucidate the molecular background and underlying mechanisms of action. Established and recommended targeted treatment options that already exist for patients are considered for systemic treatment: atezolizumab/bevacizumab, durvalumab/tremelimumab, sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, and ramucirumab. Combination treatment for systemic treatment and local ablative treatment or transarterial chemoembolization and adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment strategies are under clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Heumann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany (K.G.); (D.T.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Arne Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany (K.G.); (D.T.)
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3
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Domènech Omella J, Cortesi EE, Verbinnen I, Remmerie M, Wu H, Cubero FJ, Roskams T, Janssens V. A Novel Mouse Model of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and Loss of Ppp2r5d. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4193. [PMID: 37627221 PMCID: PMC10453342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164193] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) can be classified in hepatocellular (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). The molecular mechanisms involved in PLC development and phenotype decision are still not well understood. Complete deletion of Ppp2r5d, encoding the B56δ subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), results in spontaneous HCC development in mice via a c-MYC-dependent mechanism. In the present study, we aimed to examine the role of Ppp2r5d in an independent mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Ppp2r5d deletion (heterozygous and homozygous) accelerated HCC development, corroborating its tumor-suppressive function in liver and suggesting Ppp2r5d may be haploinsufficient. Ppp2r5d-deficient HCCs stained positively for c-MYC, consistent with increased AKT activation in pre-malignant and tumor tissues of Ppp2r5d-deficient mice. We also found increased YAP activation in Ppp2r5d-deficient tumors. Remarkably, in older mice, Ppp2r5d deletion resulted in cHCC-CCA development in this model, with the CCA component showing increased expression of progenitor markers (SOX9 and EpCAM). Finally, we observed an upregulation of Ppp2r5d in tumors from wildtype and heterozygous mice, revealing a tumor-specific control mechanism of Ppp2r5d expression, and suggestive of the involvement of Ppp2r5d in a negative feedback regulation restricting tumor growth. Our study highlights the tumor-suppressive role of mouse PP2A-B56δ in both HCC and cHCC-CCA, which may have important implications for human PLC development and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Domènech Omella
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Emanuela E. Cortesi
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
| | - Iris Verbinnen
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Michiel Remmerie
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
| | - Francisco J. Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Network on Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Janssens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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4
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Lazzaro A, Hartshorn KL. A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the History, Current Landscape, and Future Directions of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Systemic Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092506. [PMID: 37173972 PMCID: PMC10177076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide a comprehensive review of current approved systemic treatment strategies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), starting with the phase III clinical trial of sorafenib which was the first to definitively show a survival benefit. After this trial, there was an initial period of little progress. However, in recent years, an explosion of new agents and combinations of agents has resulted in a markedly improved outlook for patients. We then provide the authors' current approach to therapy, i.e., "How We Treat HCC". Promising future directions and important gaps in therapy that persist are finally reviewed. HCC is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide and the incidence is growing due not only to alcoholism, hepatitis B and C, but also to steatohepatitis. HCC, like renal cell carcinoma and melanoma, is a cancer largely resistant to chemotherapy but the advent of anti-angiogenic, targeted and immune therapies have improved survival for all of these cancers. We hope this review will heighten interest in the field of HCC therapies, provide a clear outline of the current data and strategy for treatment, and sensitize readers to new developments that are likely to emerge in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lazzaro
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kevan L Hartshorn
- Section of Hematology Oncology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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5
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Leowattana W, Leowattana T, Leowattana P. Systemic treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:1407-1424. [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i10.1407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most commonly found in the context of liver cirrhosis and, in rare cases, in a healthy liver. Its prevalence has risen in recent years, particularly in Western nations, due to the increasing frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Advanced HCC has a poor prognosis. For many years, the only proven therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC) was sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Recently, the synergistic effect of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab, and bevacizumab outperformed sorafenib alone in terms of survival, making it the recommended first-line therapy. Other multikinase inhibitors, lenvatinib and regorafenib, were also recommended as first and second-line drugs, respectively. Intermediate-stage HCC patients with retained liver function, particularly uHCC without extrahepatic metastasis, may benefit from trans-arterial chemoembolization. The current problem in uHCC is selecting a patient for the best treatment while considering the preexisting liver condition and liver function. Indeed, all study patients had a Child-Pugh class A, and the best therapy for other individuals is unknown. Additionally, in the absence of a medical contraindication, atezolizumab could be combined with bevacizumab for uHCC systemic therapy. Several studies are now underway to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with anti-angiogenic drugs, and the first findings are encouraging. The paradigm of uHCC therapy is changing dramatically, and many obstacles remain for optimum patient management in the near future. The purpose of this commentary review was to give an insight into current systemic treatment options for patients with uHCC who are not candidates for surgery to cure the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wattana Leowattana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tawithep Leowattana
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - PathompThep Leowattana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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6
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Leowattana W, Leowattana T, Leowattana P. Systemic treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:1551-1568. [PMID: 36970588 PMCID: PMC10037251 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i10.1551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most commonly found in the context of liver cirrhosis and, in rare cases, in a healthy liver. Its prevalence has risen in recent years, particularly in Western nations, due to the increasing frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Advanced HCC has a poor prognosis. For many years, the only proven therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC) was sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Recently, the synergistic effect of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, atezolizumab, and bevacizumab outperformed sorafenib alone in terms of survival, making it the recommended first-line therapy. Other multikinase inhibitors, lenvatinib and regorafenib, were also recommended as first and second-line drugs, respectively. Intermediate-stage HCC patients with retained liver function, particularly uHCC without extrahepatic metastasis, may benefit from trans-arterial chemoembolization. The current problem in uHCC is selecting a patient for the best treatment while considering the preexisting liver condition and liver function. Indeed, all study patients had a Child-Pugh class A, and the best therapy for other individuals is unknown. Additionally, in the absence of a medical contraindication, atezolizumab could be combined with bevacizumab for uHCC systemic therapy. Several studies are now underway to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with anti-angiogenic drugs, and the first findings are encouraging. The paradigm of uHCC therapy is changing dramatically, and many obstacles remain for optimum patient management in the near future. The purpose of this commentary review was to give an insight into current systemic treatment options for patients with uHCC who are not candidates for surgery to cure the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wattana Leowattana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tawithep Leowattana
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - PathompThep Leowattana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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7
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Kumar S, Pandey AK. Potential Molecular Targeted Therapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1363-1380. [PMID: 36826066 PMCID: PMC9955633 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers, representing a serious worldwide health concern. The recurrence incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following surgery or ablation is as high as 70%. Thus, the clinical applicability of standard surgery and other locoregional therapy to improve the outcomes of advanced HCC is restricted and far from ideal. The registered trials did not identify a treatment that prolonged recurrence-free survival, the primary outcome of the majority of research. Several investigator-initiated trials have demonstrated that various treatments extend patients' recurrence-free or overall survival after curative therapies. In the past decade, targeted therapy has made significant strides in the treatment of advanced HCC. These targeted medicines produce antitumour effects via specific signals, such as anti-angiogenesis or advancement of the cell cycle. As a typical systemic treatment option, it significantly improves the prognosis of this fatal disease. In addition, the combination of targeted therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor is redefining the paradigm of advanced HCC treatment. In this review, we focused on the role of approved targeted medicines and potential therapeutic targets in unresectable HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Punjab, Guddha, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (A.K.P.)
| | - Abhay Kumar Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, University Road, Prayagraj 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Correspondence: (S.K.); (A.K.P.)
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8
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Rasl J, Grusanovic J, Klimova Z, Caslavsky J, Grousl T, Novotny J, Kolar M, Vomastek T. ERK2 signaling regulates cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells and enhances growth factor-induced cell scattering. Cell Signal 2022; 99:110431. [PMID: 35933033 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110431] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ERK signaling pathway, consisting of core protein kinases Raf, MEK and effector kinases ERK1/2, regulates various biological outcomes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, or cell migration. Signal transduction through the ERK signaling pathway is tightly controlled at all levels of the pathway. However, it is not well understood whether ERK pathway signaling can be modulated by the abundance of ERK pathway core kinases. In this study, we investigated the effects of low-level overexpression of the ERK2 isoform on the phenotype and scattering of cuboidal MDCK epithelial cells growing in discrete multicellular clusters. We show that ERK2 overexpression reduced the vertical size of lateral membranes that contain cell-cell adhesion complexes. Consequently, ERK2 overexpressing cells were unable to develop cuboidal shape, remained flat with increased spread area and intercellular adhesive contacts were present only on the basal side. Interestingly, ERK2 overexpression was not sufficient to increase phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets including transcription factors and induce global changes in gene expression, namely to increase the expression of pro-migratory transcription factor Fra1. However, ERK2 overexpression enhanced HGF/SF-induced cell scattering as these cells scattered more rapidly and to a greater extent than parental cells. Our results suggest that an increase in ERK2 expression primarily reduces cell-cell cohesion and that weakened intercellular adhesion synergizes with upstream signaling in the conversion of the multicellular epithelium into single migrating cells. This mechanism may be clinically relevant as the analysis of clinical data revealed that in one type of cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ERK2 overexpression correlates with a worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rasl
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josipa Grusanovic
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Klimova
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Caslavsky
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Grousl
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Novotny
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Informatics and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolar
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Vomastek
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
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9
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Wang W, Pan F, Lin X, Yuan J, Tao C, Wang R. Ferroptosis-Related Hub Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Prognostic Signature, Immune-Related, and Drug Resistance Analysis. Front Genet 2022; 13:907331. [PMID: 35938001 PMCID: PMC9355705 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.907331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of primary liver cancer with a high fatality rate and dismal prognosis because of frequent recurrence and lack of efficient therapies. Ferroptosis is a recently recognized iron-dependent cell death distinct from necroptosis and apoptosis. The relationship between ferroptosis-related hub gene expression and prognosis in HCC remains to be further elucidated. Methods: Ferroptosis-related genes from the FerrDb database and the mRNA sequencing data and clinical information of HCC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was applied to identify a prognostic signature consisting of five ferroptosis-related hub genes in the TCGA cohort. The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database was utilized to validate the reliability of the signature. Functional enrichment and immune-related analysis, including single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), immune checkpoints, TIP-related genes, tumor stemness, and m6A-related genes, were performed to analyze the underlying mechanism. Additionally, the correlations between ferroptosis and drug resistance were evaluated using the NCI-60 database. Results: A 5–hub-gene signature associated with ferroptosis was constructed by multivariate Cox regression analysis to stratify patients into two risk groups. Patients with high risk had worse prognosis than those with low risk. Multivariate Cox regression analysis uncovered that the risk score was an independent prognostic indicator. We also proved the signature’s predictive capacity using the Kaplan–Meier method and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Functional analysis showed that nuclear division and the cell cycle were enriched. Immune-related analysis revealed that the signature was enriched in immune-related pathways. Moreover, the risk signature was significantly associated with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, TIP-related genes, tumor stem cells, as well as m6A-related genes. Furthermore, these genes were crucial regulators of drug resistance. Conclusion: We identified and validated a novel hub gene signature that is closely associated with ferroptosis as a new and efficient biomarker with favorable potential for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. In addition, it also offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms of HCC and provides an effective approach for the treatment of HCC. Further studies are necessary to validate the results of our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinrong Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiakai Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunyu Tao
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Wang,
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10
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Varlamova EG, Goltyaev MV, Simakin AV, Gudkov SV, Turovsky EA. Comparative Analysis of the Cytotoxic Effect of a Complex of Selenium Nanoparticles Doped with Sorafenib, "Naked" Selenium Nanoparticles, and Sorafenib on Human Hepatocyte Carcinoma HepG2 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126641. [PMID: 35743086 PMCID: PMC9223423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the use of sorafenib as one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of liver cancer, its significant limitations remain—poor solubility, the need to use high doses with the ensuing complications on healthy tissues and organs, and the formation of cell resistance to the drug. At the same time, there is more and more convincing evidence of the anticancer effect of selenium-containing compounds and nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to develop a selenium–sorafenib nanocomplex and study the molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effect on human hepatocyte carcinoma cells, where nanoselenium is not only a sorafenib transporter, but also an active compound. We have created a selenium–sorafenib nanocomplex based on selenium nanoparticles with size 100 nm. Using vitality tests, fluorescence microscopy, and PCR analysis, it was possible to show that selenium nanoparticles, both by themselves and doped with sorafenib, have a pronounced pro-apoptotic effect on HepG2 cells with an efficiency many times greater than that of sorafenib (So). “Naked” selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and the selenium–sorafenib nanocomplex (SeSo), already after 24 h of exposure, lead to the induction of the early stages of apoptosis with the transition to the later stages with an increase in the incubation time up to 48 h. At the same time, sorafenib, at the studied concentrations, began to exert a proapoptotic effect only after 48 h. Under the action of SeNPs and SeSo, both classical pathways of apoptosis induction and ER-stress-dependent pathways involving Ca2+ ions are activated. Thus, sorafenib did not cause the generation of Ca2+ signals by HepG2 cells, while SeNPs and SeSo led to the activation of the Ca2+ signaling system of cells. At the same time, the selenium–sorafenib nanocomplex turned out to be more effective in activating the Ca2+ signaling system of cells, inducing apoptosis and ER stress by an average of 20–25% compared to “naked” selenium nanoparticles. Our data on the mechanisms of action and the created nanocomplex are promising as a platform for the creation of highly selective and effective drugs with targeted delivery to tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G. Varlamova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Correspondence: (E.G.V.); (E.A.T.)
| | - Mikhail V. Goltyaev
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Aleksander V. Simakin
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilove St., 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Sergey V. Gudkov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilove St., 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.V.S.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Egor A. Turovsky
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Correspondence: (E.G.V.); (E.A.T.)
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11
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Zhu QY, Zhao GX, Li Y, Talakatta G, Mai HQ, Le QT, Young LS, Zeng MS. Advances in pathogenesis and precision medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:175-206. [PMID: 34766141 PMCID: PMC8491203 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous carcinoma with apparent geographical and racial distribution, mostly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, particularly concentrated in southern China. The epidemiological trend over the past decades has suggested a substantial reduction in the incidence rate and mortality rate due to NPC. These results may reflect changes in lifestyle and environment, and more importantly, a deeper comprehension of the pathogenic mechanism of NPC, leading to much progress in the preventing, screening, and treating for this cancer. Herein, we present the recent advances on the key signal pathways involved in pathogenesis of NPC, the mechanism of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) entry into the cell, and the progress of EBV vaccine and screening biomarkers. We will also discuss in depth the development of various therapeutic approaches including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These research advancements have led to a new era of precision medicine in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Ge-Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Girish Talakatta
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Hai-Qiang Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Quynh-Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology Stanford California
| | - Lawrence S Young
- Warwick Medical School University of Warwick Coventry United Kingdom
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
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12
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Niu M, Yi M, Li N, Wu K, Wu K. Advances of Targeted Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:719896. [PMID: 34381735 PMCID: PMC8350567 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.719896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common and fatal malignancies, which is a significant global health problem. The clinical applicability of traditional surgery and other locoregional therapies is limited, and these therapeutic strategies are far from satisfactory in improving the outcomes of advanced HCC. In the past decade, targeted therapy had made a ground-breaking progress in advanced HCC. Those targeted therapies exert antitumor effects through specific signals, including anti-angiogenesis or cell cycle progression. As a standard systemic therapy option, it tremendously improves the survival of this devastating disease. Moreover, the combination of targeted therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has demonstrated more potent anticancer effects and becomes the hot topic in clinical studies. The combining medications bring about a paradigm shift in the treatment of advanced HCC. In this review, we presented all approved targeted agents for advanced HCC with an emphasis on their clinical efficacy, summarized the advances of multi-target drugs in research for HCC and potential therapeutic targets for drug development. We also discussed the exciting results of the combination between targeted therapy and ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kongju Wu
- Department of Nursing, Medical School of Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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13
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Li L, Song S, Fang X, Cao D. Role of ATF3 as a prognostic biomarker and correlation of ATF3 expression with macrophage infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:8. [PMID: 33407456 PMCID: PMC7789720 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00852-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The abnormal expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a member of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family of transcription factors, is associated with carcinogenesis. However, the expression pattern and exact role of ATF3 in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. METHODS We used UALCAN, ONCOMINE, Kaplan-Meier plotter, and cBioPortal databases to investigate the prognostic value of ATF3 expression in HCC. RESULTS ATF3 was found to be expressed at low levels in multiple HCC tumor tissues. Moreover, low ATF3 expression was significantly associated with clinical cancer stage and pathological tumor grade in patients with HCC. Therefore, low expression of ATF3 was significantly associated with poor overall survival in patients with HCC. Functional network analysis showed that ATF3 regulates cytokine receptors and signaling pathways via various cancer-related kinases, miRNAs, and transcription factors. ATF3 expression was found to be correlated with macrophage infiltration levels and with macrophage immune marker sets in HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS Using data mining methods, we clarified the role of ATF3 expression and related regulatory networks in HCC, laying a foundation for further functional research. Future research will validate our findings and establish clinical applications of ATF3 in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Xingang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510317, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shaohua Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Xingang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510317, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoling Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Xingang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510317, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Donglin Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Xingang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510317, Guangdong Province, China.
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14
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Kim R, Tan E, Wang E, Mahipal A, Chen DT, Cao B, Masawi F, Machado C, Yu J, Kim DW. A Phase I Trial of Trametinib in Combination with Sorafenib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Cancer. Oncologist 2020; 25:e1893-e1899. [PMID: 32776632 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
LESSONS LEARNED The combination of trametinib and sorafenib has an acceptable safety profile, albeit at doses lower than approved for monotherapy. Maximum tolerated dose is trametinib 1.5 mg daily and sorafenib 200 mg twice daily. The limited anticancer activity observed in this unselected patient population does not support further exploration of trametinib plus sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. BACKGROUND The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is associated with proliferation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Preclinical data suggest that paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway may be one of the resistance mechanisms of sorafenib; therefore, we evaluated trametinib plus sorafenib in HCC. METHODS This was a phase I study with a 3+3 design in patients with treatment-naïve advanced HCC. The primary objective was safety and tolerability. The secondary objective was clinical efficacy. RESULTS A total of 17 patients were treated with three different doses of trametinib and sorafenib. Two patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity, including grade 4 hypertension and grade 3 elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/bilirubin over 7 days. Maximum tolerated dose was trametinib 1.5 mg daily and sorafenib 200 mg twice a day. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were elevated AST (37%) and hypertension (24%). Among 11 evaluable patients, 7 (63.6%) had stable disease with no objective response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.7 and 7.8 months, respectively. Phosphorylated-ERK was evaluated as a pharmacodynamic marker, and sorafenib plus trametinib inhibited phosphorylated-ERK up to 98.1% (median: 81.2%) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION Trametinib and sorafenib can be safely administered up to trametinib 1.5 mg daily and sorafenib 200 mg twice a day with limited anticancer activity in advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kim
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Elaine Tan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Emily Wang
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Amit Mahipal
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Dung-Tsa Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Biwei Cao
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Fadzai Masawi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Cindy Machado
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - James Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Advent Health, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Dae Won Kim
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
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15
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Xiao H, Wang B, Xiong HX, Guan JF, Wang J, Tan T, Lin K, Zou SB, Hu ZG, Wang K. A novel prognostic index of hepatocellular carcinoma based on immunogenomic landscape analysis. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:2572-2591. [PMID: 32853412 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Changes in immune responses to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of this disease. Exploring the role of immune-related genes (IRGs) in HCC would provide insights into the mechanisms regulating this disease. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) provide a platform for such research, owing to a large number of HCC samples available for comprehensive and systematic immunogenomics analyses. We analyzed the IRGs expression profile and clinical information of patients with HCC based on the TCGA and ICGC database. Potential molecular mechanisms and properties of the screened IRGs were analyzed across multiple databases. And we analyzed the correlation between IRGs, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and copy number variation. A novel prognostic index, based on IRGs, was developed using the LASSO Cox regression algorithm, followed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to analyze the prognostic index. Information in the ICGC database was used to verify the reliability of the prognostic index. A total of 54 differentially expressed IRGs were found to be significantly associated with HCC prognosis, and there is a significant correlation between their expression level and copy number variation. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that the genes play active roles in tumor and immune-related signaling pathways. In addition, five potential biomarkers namely IRG, MAPK3, HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, HSPA4, and CDK4, were identified. Finally, a novel prognostic index, based on IRGs (PSMD14, FABP6, ISG20L2, HGF, BIRC5, IL17D, and STC2), was found useful as an independent prognostic factor, not only for prognosis but also to reflect levels of infiltration in a variety of immune cells. Our team conducted a genomics study of IRGs in HCC and screened several clinically significant IRGs, and our model provides an effective approach for stratification and characterization of patients using IRG-based immunolabeling tools to monitor the prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xiao
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Ben Wang
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Hai-Xia Xiong
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Jia-Fu Guan
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Tan
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Kang Lin
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Gastrointestinal Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shu-Bing Zou
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Hu
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Jiangxi Province Engineering Research Center of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nanchang, China
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Miltirone induces cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma cell through GSDME-dependent pyroptosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1397-1413. [PMID: 32963939 PMCID: PMC7488361 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death, and recently described as a new molecular mechanism of chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of tumors. Miltirone, a derivative of phenanthrene-quinone isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activities. Here, we found that miltirone inhibited the cell viability of either HepG2 or Hepa1-6 cells, and induced the proteolytic cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME) in each hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line, with concomitant cleavage of caspase 3. Knocking out GSDME switched miltirone-induced cell death from pyroptosis to apoptosis. Additionally, the induction effects of miltirone on GSDME-dependent pyroptosis were attenuated by siRNA-mediated caspase three silencing and the specific caspase three inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK, respectively. Miltirone effectively elicited intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and suppressed phosphorylation of mitogen-activated and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) for pyroptosis induction. Moreover, miltirone significantly inhibited tumor growth and induced pyroptosis in the Hepa1-6 mouse HCC syngeneic model. These results provide a new insight that miltirone is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC via GSDME-dependent pyroptosis.
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Key Words
- 7-AAD, 7-aminoactinomycin D
- AKT, AKT serine/threonine kinase, also known as protein kinase B
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- BAX, BCL2-associated X
- CCK-8, cell counting kit-8
- CRISPR, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
- Cas9, caspase 9
- Cell death
- DCFH-DA, dye 2,7-dichlorofluoresce diacetate
- DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
- DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide
- ECL, enhanced chemiluminescence
- ERK1/2, extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2
- FBS, fetal bovine serum
- FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate
- GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- GSDMD, gasdermin D
- GSDME
- GSDME, gasdermin E
- H&E, hematoxylin and eosin
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HRP, horseradish peroxidase
- HepG2
- Hepa1-6
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- IC50, the half maximal inhibitory concentration
- IgG (H + L), immunoglobulin G (heavy chain + light chain)
- KO, knockout
- LDH, lactic dehydrogenase
- MEK, mitogen-activated and extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- MEM, minimum essential medium
- MMP, mitochondrial membrane potential
- MS, mass spectrum
- Miltirone
- N-GSDME, N-terminal GSDME
- NAC, N-acetyl cysteine
- NC, negative control
- NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance
- NS, no significance
- PARP, poly ADP-ribose polymerase
- PBS, phosphate-based buffer
- PI, propidium iodide
- PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
- Pyroptosis
- RIPA, radioimmunoprecipitation assay
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SD, standard deviation
- SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- TBST, Tris-buffered saline with Tween solution
- TCGA, the Cancer Genome Atlas
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- gRNA, guide RNA
- i.p., intraperitoneal
- i.v., intravenous
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
- p-AKT, phosphorylated-AKT
- p-ERK1/2, phosphorylated-ERK1/2
- p-MEK, phosphorylated-MEK
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Chou YT, Chen LY, Tsai SL, Tu HC, Lu JW, Ciou SC, Wang HD, Yuh CH. Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase A overexpression promotes liver cancer development in transgenic zebrafish via activation of ERK and β-catenin pathways. Carcinogenesis 2020; 40:461-473. [PMID: 30418535 PMCID: PMC6514454 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the enzymes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is known to promote tumorigenesis. Our recent study demonstrated that ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RPIA), a key regulator of the PPP, regulates hepatoma cell proliferation and colony formation. Our studies in zebrafish reveal that RPIA-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis requires extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and β-catenin signaling. To further investigate RPIA-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis, two independent lines of transgenic zebrafish expressing human RPIA in the liver were generated. These studies reveal that RPIA overexpression triggers lipogenic factor/enzyme expression, steatosis, fibrosis and proliferation of the liver. In addition, the severity of fibrosis and the extent of proliferation are positively correlated with RPIA expression levels. Furthermore, RPIA-mediated induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires the ERK and β-catenin signaling pathway but is not dependent upon transaldolase levels. Our study presents a mechanism for RPIA-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis and suggests that RPIA represents a valuable therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Chou
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yang Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Lin Tsai
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chen Tu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Wei Lu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shih-Ci Ciou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Dar Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chiou-Hwa Yuh
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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18
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Poojari R, Sawant AV, Kini S, Srivastava R, Panda D. Antihepatoma activity of multifunctional polymeric nanoparticles via inhibition of microtubules and tyrosine kinases. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:381-396. [PMID: 31990235 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2019-0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Synthesis of poly-L-lactic acid nanoparticles comprising of microtubule-inhibitor docetaxel and tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib (PLDS NPs) for hepatoma treatment. Materials & methods: PLDS NPs were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation method and the anticancer activity was evaluated in Huh7 hepatoma cells. Results: Real-time imaging of quantum dots incorporating poly-L-lactic acid nanoparticles showed a rapid internalization of the nanoparticles in Huh7 cells. PLDS NPs exerted stronger antiproliferative, apoptotic and antiangiogenic effects than free single drug counterparts. They strongly promoted microtubule bundling, multinucleation and increased mitotic index in Huh7 cells. They also inhibited the expression of pERK1/2, pAKT and cyclin D1. Conclusion: We developed a single-nanoscale platform for dual drug delivery and high-sensitivity quantum dots imaging for hepatoma treatment. [Formula: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Poojari
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Avishkar V Sawant
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Sudarshan Kini
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.,Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, 575018, India
| | - Rohit Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Dulal Panda
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
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19
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Cyclosporin A activates human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cells) proliferation: implication of EGFR-mediated ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2020; 393:897-908. [PMID: 31907582 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-019-01798-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
One of the most common causes of cancer mortality worldwide is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway has been shown to play an important role in the development and progression of HCC. Here, we demonstrate that the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CsA) has the ability to increase the cellular growth in HCC (HepG2 cells) via activation of ERK1/2 signaling cascade. It was found that ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by CsA was highly reduced in the presence of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD). Furthermore, it was observed that inhibition of metalloproteinase activity using TAPI-2 prevents ERK1/2 activation by CsA. Moreover, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM-17) activity was found to be critical for ERK phosphorylation by CsA. In addition, CsA-induced ERK phosphorylation was highly reduced in the presence of either neutralizing anti-heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) antibody or UO126 (MEK inhibitor). By using the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478, it was found that EGFR is critical for ERK phosphorylation induced by CsA. Furthermore, CsA-induced cell proliferation was strongly reduced in the presence of either PEG-SOD or TAPI-2 or neutralizing anti-ADAM17 antibody or neutralizing anti-HB-EGF antibody or AG1478 or UO126. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CsA has the ability to activate ERK1/2 signaling cascade that could be translated into an increase in HepG2 cell proliferation. Furthermore, these data support the role of ROS, ADAM-17, and EGFR in ERK1/2 signaling activation and subsequent cell proliferation induced by CsA in HepG2 cells.
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20
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Kumar N, Shrungeswara AH, Mallik SB, Biswas S, Mathew J, Nandakumar K, Mathew J, Lobo R. Pinocembrin-Enriched Fractions of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser Modulates Apoptotic and MAPK Cellular Signaling in HepG2 Cells. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2019; 18:1563-1572. [DOI: 10.2174/1871520618666180911112127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cáncer mortality. Elytranthe
parasitica (L.) Danser (EP), a hemiparasitic plant (Loranthaceae) has potent anti-cancer properties.
Objective:
In the study, we investigated the effect of EP fractions on the expression of apoptosis and mitogenactivated
protein kinase (MAPK) markers deregulated in HCC. Bioactivity fractionation was performed to isolate the
phytochemical(s) exerting anti-tumor activity in HepG2 cells.
Method:
Anti-proliferative, clonogenic and anti-metastatic effects of EP fractions were examined in hepatocellular
carcinoma cell line, HepG2 by Sulphorhodamine B, colony formation and scratch wound assays respectively in
hepatocellular cell line, HepG2. The effects of EP fractions on key markers of apoptosis and MAPK signaling pathways
were explored.
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Key findings: EP bioactive fractions showed significant anti-tumor potential, reduced clonogenicity and considerably
inhibited cell migration in HepG2 cells in vitro. The fractions augmented annexin V binding and induced apoptosis
by causing cell cycle arrest at G2/M and S phase checkpoints. The fractions increased expression levels of p53, bad,
cleaved PARP (Poly ADP ribose polymerase) and cleaved Caspase-3. Expression levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2
(Extracellular signal-regulated kinase) were downregulated. Pinocembrin-7-O-ß-D-glucoside and chrysin were isolated
and characterized for the first time from Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser.
Conclusion:
Our findings reveal that EP fractions induced cell cycle arrest and triggered apoptosis in HepG2 cells by
upregulating apoptosis and deactivating MAPK pathway. It signifies that pinocembrin glycoside and chrysin are
bioactive phytochemicals contributing to the potent anti-hepatocarcinoma effects on HepG2 cells. Hence, bioactive
EP fractions could be used as a therapeutic agent for effective HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimmy Kumar
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Akhila H. Shrungeswara
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Sanchari B. Mallik
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Subhankar Biswas
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Jesil Mathew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Krishnadas Nandakumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Jessy Mathew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Richard Lobo
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karnataka 576104, India
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Wang J, Xia C, Pu M, Dai B, Yang X, Shang R, Yang Z, Zhang R, Tao K, Dou K. Silencing of CDCA5 inhibits cancer progression and serves as a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2018; 40:1875-1884. [PMID: 30015982 PMCID: PMC6111608 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5) has been associated with the progression of several types of cancers. However, its possible role and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. In the present study, immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR were used to assess CDCA5 protein and mRNA levels in clinical samples. Statistical analysis was performed to explore the clinical correlation between CDCA5 protein expression and clinicopathological features and overall survival in HCC patients. Cell counting and colony formation assays were employed to analyse the effect of CDCA5 on cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to study the role of CDCA5 in cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Moreover, subcutaneous xenograft tumour models were implemented to predict the efficacy of targeting CDCA5 in HCC in vivo. We found that CDCA5 expression was significantly higher in HCC tumour tissues, was associated with clinicopathological characteristics, and predicted poor overall survival in HCC patients. Silencing of CDCA5 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited cell proliferation and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in vitro. The xenograft growth assay revealed that CDCA5 downregulation impeded HCC growth in vivo. Further study indicated that CDCA5 depletion decreased the levels of ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that CDCA5 may act as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Congcong Xia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Meng Pu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Air Force General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
| | - Bin Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Xisheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Ruohan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
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22
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Lee KH, Choi EY, Hyun MS, Eun JR, Jang BI, Kim TN, Lee HJ, Lee DS, Yun SS, Kim HJ, Kim JH, Kim JR. Cellular Mechanisms of Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Mediated Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Secretion by MAPK Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 94:523-30. [DOI: 10.1177/030089160809400414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aims and Background The hepatocyte growth factor, its receptor c-Met, and urokinase-type plasminogen mediate various cellular responses on activation, including proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. The regulatory mechanisms for the proliferation and the particular invasive phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma are not yet fully understood. In order to clarify the intracellular downstream signal for hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling in tumor progression and metastasis in hepatoma, we determined the effects of a specific MEK1 inhibitor (PD 098059) and a p38 kinase inhibitor (SB 203580) on hepatocyte growth factor-mediated cell proliferation and urokinase-type plasminogen expression in hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B). Results Hepatocyte growth factor treatment induced the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 kinase in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in an early peak of phosphorylation at 3 to 10 min, which then rapidly decreased to a near basal level. Pretreatment with PD 098059 reduced hepatocyte growth factor-mediated cell proliferation and urokinase-type plasminogen secretion. In contrast, SB 203580 pretreatment enhanced cell proliferation and urokinase-type plasminogen secretion due to induction of ERK phosphorylation. Treatment with PD 098059 and SB 203580 resulted in a decrease in phospho-ERK activity. Stable expression of dominant negative-MEK1 in HepG2 cells showed a decrease in hepatocyte growth factor-mediated urokinase-type plasminogen secretion. Conclusions Such results suggest that interaction of an MEK/ERK and a p38 kinase might be critical in intrahepatic invasion and metastasis of human hepatoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hee Lee
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Choi
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Soo Hyun
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Ryul Eun
- Department of Gastro-Enterology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Ik Jang
- Department of Gastro-Enterology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Nyeun Kim
- Department of Gastro-Enterology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Heon Ju Lee
- Department of Gastro-Enterology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Shik Lee
- General Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Su Yun
- General Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jīn Kim
- General Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hye Kim
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ryong Kim
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Aging-associated Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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23
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The construction of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma model in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13419. [PMID: 29042681 PMCID: PMC5645375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13815-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly malignant tumor, difficult to diagnose even at an early stage. In this study, we successfully constructed an nras61K-induced ICC model in zebrafish. Transcriptome analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of liver samples of the ICC and WT (wild-type) zebrafish revealed that the genes differentially expressed between the two groups were mainly involved in focal adhesion, chemokine signaling and metabolic pathways. Analysis of DNA methylomes revealed that compared with WT samples, methylated genes in ICC samples were enriched in functions associated with cellular, single-organism and metabolic processes. In particular, our result discovered eleven potential biomarker genes of ICC which were conserved between zebrafish and humans. Moreover, three potential biomarker genes were hypomethylated in the tumorigenesis of ICC: ehf, epha4 and itgb6. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of molecular mechanisms accompanying the progressive nras61K-induced ICC. This work indicates that our transgenic zebrafish could be a valuable model, not only for studying liver cancer, but also for exploring new therapeutic targets.
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24
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Elsonbaty SM, Zahran WE, Moawed FS. Gamma-irradiated β-glucan modulates signaling molecular targets of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317708703. [PMID: 28810822 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317708703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
β-glucans are one of the most abundant forms of polysaccharides known as biological response modifiers which influence host's biological response and stimulate immune system. Accordingly, this study was initiated to evaluate irradiated β-glucan as a modulator for cellular signaling growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced with 20 mg diethylnitrosamine/kg BW. Rats received daily by gastric gavage 65 mg irradiated β-glucan/kg BW. It was found that treatment of rats with diethylnitrosamine induced hepatic injury and caused significant increase in liver injury markers with a concomitant significant increase in both hepatic oxidative and inflammatory indices: alpha-fetoprotein, interferon gamma, and interleukin 6 in comparison with normal and irradiated β-glucan-treated groups. Western immunoblotting showed a significant increase in the signaling growth factors: extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase proteins in a diethylnitrosamine-treated group while both preventive and therapeutic irradiated β-glucan treatments recorded significant improvement versus diethylnitrosamine group via the modulation of growth factors that encounters hepatic toxicity. The transcript levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and inducible nitric oxide synthase genes were significantly higher in the diethylnitrosamine-treated group in comparison with controls. Preventive and therapeutic treatments with irradiated β-glucan demonstrated that the transcript level of these genes was significantly decreased which demonstrates the protective effect of β-glucan. Histological investigations revealed that diethylnitrosamine treatment affects the hepatic architecture throughout the significant severe appearance of inflammatory cell infiltration in the portal area and congestion in the portal vein in association with severe degeneration and dysplasia in hepatocytes all over hepatic parenchyma. The severity of hepatic architecture changes was significantly decreased with both β-glucan therapeutic and preventive treatments. In conclusion, irradiated β-glucan modulated signal growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor A, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, which contributed to experimental hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan M Elsonbaty
- 1 National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Walid E Zahran
- 2 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fatma Sm Moawed
- 1 National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
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25
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Yılmaz Y, Güneş A, Topel H, Atabey N. Signaling Pathways as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Hepatocarcinogenesis. J Gastrointest Cancer 2017; 48:225-237. [PMID: 28819741 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-017-9958-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yeliz Yılmaz
- Izmir International Biomedicine & Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayşim Güneş
- Izmir International Biomedicine & Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hande Topel
- Izmir International Biomedicine & Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Neşe Atabey
- Izmir International Biomedicine & Genome Institute (iBG-izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova, 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
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26
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Wang Y, Pan T, Wang H, Li L, Li J, Zhang D, Yang H. Overexpression of SIRT6 attenuates the tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:76223-76230. [PMID: 29100306 PMCID: PMC5652700 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to explore the effects of overexpression of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) on the tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells Methods Stable SIRT6-overexpressed HCC cell lines were established by transfecting SIRT6 plasmid. Soft agar assay and tumor xenograft assay in nude mice were applied. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle distribution. Western blotting analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins. Results Overexpression of SIRT6 attenuated HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells proliferation, colony formation in vitro and tumor formation in nude mice, and resulted in the G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Overexpression of SIRT6 reduced the expression of cyclin D1 and p-ERK proteins in both HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells. Conclusion Overexpression of SIRT6 attenuates the tumorigenicity of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadong Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China.,Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Teng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haiyu Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Toxicology, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Jiangmin Li
- Department of Toxicology, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Ding Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou 450016, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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27
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Lee SJ, Lim HY. Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment: a comparative review of emerging growth factor receptor antagonists. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2017; 22:191-200. [DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2017.1330886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Su Jin Lee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Yeong Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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28
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Yan C, Yang Q, Huo X, Li H, Zhou L, Gong Z. Chemical inhibition reveals differential requirements of signaling pathways in kras V12- and Myc-induced liver tumors in transgenic zebrafish. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45796. [PMID: 28378824 PMCID: PMC5381109 DOI: 10.1038/srep45796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously we have generated inducible liver tumor models by transgenic expression of an oncogene and robust tumorigenesis can be rapidly induced by activation of the oncogene in both juvenile and adult fish. In the present study, we aimed at chemical intervention of tumorigenesis for understanding molecular pathways of tumorigenesis and for potential development of a chemical screening tool for anti-cancer drug discovery. Thus, we evaluated the roles of several major signaling pathways in krasV12- or Myc-induced liver tumors by using several small molecule inhibitors: SU5402 and SU6668 for VEGF/FGF signaling; IWR1 and cardionogen 1 for Wnt signaling; and cyclopamine and Gant61 for Hedgehog signaling. Inhibition of VEGF/FGF signaling was found to deter both Myc- and krasV12-induced liver tumorigenesis while suppression of Wnt signaling relaxed only Myc- but not krasV12-induced liver tumorigenesis. Inhibiting Hedgehog signaling did not suppress either krasV12 or Myc-induced tumors. The suppression of liver tumorigenesis was accompanied with a decrease of cell proliferation, increase of apoptosis, distorted liver histology. Collectively, our observations suggested the requirement of VEGF/FGF signaling but not the hedgehog signaling in liver tumorigenesis in both transgenic fry. However, Wnt signaling appeared to be required for liver tumorigenesis only in Myc but not krasV12 transgenic zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Yan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University of Singapore graduate school for integrative sciences and engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qiqi Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaojing Huo
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hankun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University of Singapore graduate school for integrative sciences and engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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29
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Dietary restriction protects against diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular tumorigenesis by restoring the disturbed gene expression profile. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43745. [PMID: 28262799 PMCID: PMC5338348 DOI: 10.1038/srep43745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal and prevalent malignancies, worse still, there are very limited therapeutic measures with poor clinical outcomes. Dietary restriction (DR) has been known to inhibit spontaneous and induced tumors in several species, but the mechanisms are little known. In the current study, by using a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mice model, we found that DR significantly reduced the hepatic tumor number and size, delayed tumor development, suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Further transcriptome sequencing of liver tissues from the DEN and the DEN accompanied with DR (DEN+DR) mice showed that DEN induced profound changes in the gene expression profile, especially in cancer-related pathways while DR treatment reversed most of the disturbed gene expression induced by DEN. Finally, transcription factor enrichment analysis uncovered the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) probably functioned as the main regulator of gene changes, orchestrating the protective effects of DR on DEN induced HCC. Taken together, by the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis, we elucidate that DR protects aginst DEN-induced HCC by restoring the disturbed gene expression profile, which holds the promise to provide effective molecular targets for cancer therapies.
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30
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TAMH: A Useful In Vitro Model for Assessing Hepatotoxic Mechanisms. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4780872. [PMID: 28074186 PMCID: PMC5198153 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4780872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models for hepatotoxicity can be useful tools to predict in vivo responses. In this review, we discuss the use of the transforming growth factor-α transgenic mouse hepatocyte (TAMH) cell line, which is an attractive model to study drug-induced liver injury due to its ability to retain a stable phenotype and express drug-metabolizing enzymes. Hepatotoxicity involves damage to the liver and is often associated with chemical exposure. Since the liver is a major site for drug metabolism, drug-induced liver injury is a serious health concern for certain agents. At the molecular level, various mechanisms may protect or harm the liver during drug-induced hepatocellular injury including signaling pathways and endogenous factors (e.g., Bcl-2, GSH, Nrf2, or MAPK). The interplay between these and other pathways in the hepatocyte can change upon drug or drug metabolite exposure leading to intracellular stress and eventually cell death and liver injury. This review focuses on mechanistic studies investigating drug-induced toxicity in the TAMH line and how alterations to hepatotoxic mechanisms in this model relate to the in vivo situation. The agents discussed herein include acetaminophen (APAP), tetrafluoroethylcysteine (TFEC), flutamide, PD0325901, lapatinib, and flupirtine.
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31
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Jiang M, Zeng Q, Dai S, Liang H, Dai F, Xie X, Lu K, Gao C. Comparative analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis gene expression profiles. Mol Med Rep 2016; 15:380-386. [PMID: 27959423 PMCID: PMC5355740 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.6021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression data of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was compared with that of cirrhosis (C) to identify critical genes in HCC. A total of five gene expression data sets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. HCC and healthy samples were combined as dataset HCC, whereas cirrhosis samples were included in dataset C. A network was constructed for dataset HCC with the package R for performing Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. Modules were identified by cluster analysis with the packages flashClust and dynamicTreeCut. Hub genes were screened out by calculating connectivity. Functional annotations were assigned to the hub genes using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery, and functional annotation networks were visualized with Cytoscape. Following the exclusion of outlier samples, 394 HCC samples and 47 healthy samples were included in dataset HCC and 233 cirrhosis samples were included in dataset C. A total of 6 modules were identified in the weighted gene co-expression network of dataset HCC (blue, brown, turquoise, green, red and yellow). Modules blue, brown and turquoise had high preservation whereas module yellow exhibited the lowest preservation. These modules were associated with transcription, mitosis, cation transportation, cation homeostasis, secretion and regulation of cyclase activity. Various hub genes of module yellow were cytokines, including chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 22 and interleukin-19, which may be important in the development of HCC. Gene expression profiles of HCC were compared with those of cirrhosis and numerous critical genes were identified, which may contribute to the progression of HCC. Further studies on these genes may improve the understanding of HCC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Qingfang Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Suiping Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Huixia Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Fengying Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Xueling Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Kunlin Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 180th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Quanzhou, Fujian 362000, P.R. China
| | - Chunfang Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
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32
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Zhang B, Finn RS. Personalized Clinical Trials in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Biomarker Selection. Liver Cancer 2016; 5:221-32. [PMID: 27493897 PMCID: PMC4960351 DOI: 10.1159/000367763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the approval of sorafenib there have been numerous failures of new agents in Phase III studies for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These studies have generally ignored the molecular heterogeneity of HCC and they have not enrolled patients based on predictive markers of response. The development of molecular targeted therapeutics in HCC needs to model the approach that has been taken with great success in other solid tumors, to decrease the likelihood of failure in future studies. SUMMARY Here we review the paradigm taken with novel targeted agents in other solid tumors and highlight ongoing studies in HCC that are incorporating biomarkers in clinical development. KEY MESSAGES With the appreciation of the molecular diversity of HCC, clinical development of new agents in HCC will need to be targeted towards those patients who are most likely to benefit. This strategy, based on biomarkers for patient selection, is more likely to yield positive results and mitigate the risk of continued negative Phase III studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard S. Finn
- *Richard S. Finn, MD, Division of Hematology Oncology Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 2825 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90404 (USA), Tel. +01 310 586 2091, E-Mail
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33
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Dauch D, Rudalska R, Cossa G, Nault JC, Kang TW, Wuestefeld T, Hohmeyer A, Imbeaud S, Yevsa T, Hoenicke L, Pantsar T, Bozko P, Malek NP, Longerich T, Laufer S, Poso A, Zucman-Rossi J, Eilers M, Zender L. A MYC-aurora kinase A protein complex represents an actionable drug target in p53-altered liver cancer. Nat Med 2016; 22:744-53. [PMID: 27213815 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MYC oncoproteins are involved in the genesis and maintenance of the majority of human tumors but are considered undruggable. By using a direct in vivo shRNA screen, we show that liver cancer cells that have mutations in the gene encoding the tumor suppressor protein p53 (Trp53 in mice and TP53 in humans) and that are driven by the oncoprotein NRAS become addicted to MYC stabilization via a mechanism mediated by aurora kinase A (AURKA). This MYC stabilization enables the tumor cells to overcome a latent G2/M cell cycle arrest that is mediated by AURKA and the tumor suppressor protein p19(ARF). MYC directly binds to AURKA, and inhibition of this protein-protein interaction by conformation-changing AURKA inhibitors results in subsequent MYC degradation and cell death. These conformation-changing AURKA inhibitors, with one of them currently being tested in early clinical trials, suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice bearing Trp53-deficient, NRAS-driven MYC-expressing hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). TP53-mutated human HCCs revealed increased AURKA expression and a positive correlation between AURKA and MYC expression. In xenograft models, mice bearing TP53-mutated or TP53-deleted human HCCs were hypersensitive to treatment with conformation-changing AURKA inhibitors, thus suggesting a therapeutic strategy for this subgroup of human HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dauch
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ramona Rudalska
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Giacomo Cossa
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France
| | - Tae-Won Kang
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology Group within the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Wuestefeld
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anja Hohmeyer
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sandrine Imbeaud
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France
| | - Tetyana Yevsa
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lisa Hoenicke
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tatu Pantsar
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Przemyslaw Bozko
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Longerich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Antti Poso
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lars Zender
- Division of Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology Group within the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
MicroRNAs are involved in almost all biological processes and have emerged as regulators of signaling pathways. We show that miRNA target genes and pathway genes are not uniformly expressed across human tissues. To capture tissue specific effects, we developed a novel methodology for tissue specific pathway analysis of miRNAs. We incorporated the most recent and highest quality miRNA targeting data (TargetScan and StarBase), RNA-seq based gene expression data (EBI Expression Atlas) and multiple new pathway data sources to increase the biological relevance of the predicted miRNA-pathway associations. We identified new potential roles of miR-199a-3p, miR-199b-3p and the miR-200 family in hepatocellular carcinoma, involving the regulation of metastasis through MAPK and Wnt signaling. Also, an association of miR-571 and Notch signaling in liver fibrosis was proposed. To facilitate data update and future extensions of our tool, we developed a flexible database backend using the graph database neo4j. The new backend as well as the novel methodology were included in the updated miTALOS v2, a tool that provides insights into tissue specific miRNA regulation of biological pathways. miTALOS v2 is available at http://mips.helmholtz-muenchen.de/mitalos.
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Nguyen AT, Koh V, Spitsbergen JM, Gong Z. Development of a conditional liver tumor model by mifepristone-inducible Cre recombination to control oncogenic kras V12 expression in transgenic zebrafish. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19559. [PMID: 26790949 PMCID: PMC4726387 DOI: 10.1038/srep19559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report a new transgenic expression system by combination of liver-specific expression, mifepristone induction and Cre-loxP recombination to conditionally control the expression of oncogenic krasV12. This transgenic system allowed expression of krasV12 specifically in the liver by a brief exposure of mifepristone to induce permanent genomic recombination mediated by the Cre-loxP system. We found that liver tumors were generally induced from multiple foci due to incomplete Cre-loxP recombination, thus mimicking naturally occurring human tumors resulting from one or a few mutated cells and clonal proliferation to form nodules. Similar to our earlier studies by both constitutive and inducible expression of the krasV12 oncogene, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main type of liver tumor induced by krasV12 expression. Moreover, mixed tumors with hepatocellular adenoma and hepatoblastoma (HB) were also frequently observed. Molecular analyses also indicated similar increase of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in all types of liver tumors, but nuclear localization of β–catenin, a sign of malignant transformation, was found only in HCC and HB. Taken together, our new transgenic system reported in this study allows transgenic krasV12 expression specifically in the zebrafish liver only by a brief exposure of mifepristone to induce permanent genomic recombination mediated by the Cre-loxP system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543.,Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, 97331
| | - Vivien Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
| | - Jan M Spitsbergen
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, 97331
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
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36
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Mehdizadeh A, Somi MH, Darabi M, Jabbarpour-Bonyadi M. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 in cancer therapy: a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Biol Rep 2016; 43:107-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-016-3943-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Shah AD, Bouchard MJ, Shieh AC. Interstitial Fluid Flow Increases Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Invasion through CXCR4/CXCL12 and MEK/ERK Signaling. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142337. [PMID: 26560447 PMCID: PMC4641731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer (~80%), and it is one of the few cancer types with rising incidence in the United States. This highly invasive cancer is very difficult to detect until its later stages, resulting in limited treatment options and low survival rates. There is a dearth of knowledge regarding the mechanisms associated with the effects of biomechanical forces such as interstitial fluid flow (IFF) on hepatocellular carcinoma invasion. We hypothesized that interstitial fluid flow enhanced hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion through chemokine-mediated autologous chemotaxis. Utilizing a 3D in vitro invasion assay, we demonstrated that interstitial fluid flow promoted invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell lines. Furthermore, we showed that autologous chemotaxis influences this interstitial fluid flow-induced invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell lines via the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) signaling axis. We also demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling affects interstitial fluid flow-induced invasion; however, this pathway was separate from CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential role of interstitial fluid flow in hepatocellular carcinoma invasion. Uncovering the mechanisms that control hepatocellular carcinoma invasion will aid in enhancing current liver cancer therapies and provide better treatment options for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpit D. Shah
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adrian C. Shieh
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Ewald F, Nörz D, Grottke A, Bach J, Herzberger C, Hofmann BT, Nashan B, Jücker M. Vertical Targeting of AKT and mTOR as Well as Dual Targeting of AKT and MEK Signaling Is Synergistic in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Cancer 2015; 6:1195-205. [PMID: 26535060 PMCID: PMC4622849 DOI: 10.7150/jca.12452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer, and the third most common cause of cancer related death worldwide. The multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib represents the only systemic treatment option until today, and results from clinical trials with allosteric mTOR inhibitors were sobering. Since the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathways are frequently upregulated in HCC, we have analyzed the effects of AKT inhibitor MK-2206, MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (ARRY 142886) and mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055, given as single drugs or in combination, on proliferation and apoptosis of three HCC cell lines in vitro. We show that all three inhibitor combinations synergistically inhibit proliferation of the three HCC cell lines, with the strongest synergistic effect observed after vertical inhibition of AKT and mTORC1/2. We demonstrate that AKT kinase activity is restored 24h after blockade of mTORC1/2 by increased phosphorylation of T308, providing a rationale for combined targeting of AKT and mTOR inhibition in HCC. Our data suggest that a combination of inhibitors targeting those respective pathways may be a viable approach for future application in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Ewald
- 1. Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Dominik Nörz
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Grottke
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Bach
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Herzberger
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bianca T Hofmann
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Björn Nashan
- 1. Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Manfred Jücker
- 2. Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Negri FV, Dal Bello B, Porta C, Campanini N, Rossi S, Tinelli C, Poggi G, Missale G, Fanello S, Salvagni S, Ardizzoni A, Maria SE. Expression of pERK and VEGFR-2 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and resistance to sorafenib treatment. Liver Int 2015; 35:2001-8. [PMID: 25559745 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The study aimed to evaluate the tissue expression of molecules involved in intracellular signalling pathways as predictors of response to sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We considered 77 patients enrolled into three prospective trials of sorafenib treatment for whom pretreatment tumour tissue was available. The tissue expression of β-catenin, glutamine synthetase (GS), phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (pERK), phosphorylated v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (pAKT) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) was analysed by immunostaining. Stains were scored semiquantitatively and compared with a reference group of 56 untreated HCCs. RESULTS Overall, the expression of antigens was comparable between treated and untreated patients. Shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were associated with increased pERK staining (≥ 2+ scores) (PFS: 75th percentile 4.4 vs 8.4 months; P = 0.01; OS: 75th percentile 7.0 vs 15.0 months; P = 0.005) and VEGFR-2 staining (≥ 2+ scores) (PFS: 75th percentile 3.8 vs 7.0 months; P = 0.039; OS: 75th percentile 6.3 vs 15.0 months; P = 0.004). At multivariate analysis, both pERK and VEGFR-2 staining maintained an independent effect on OS (HR 2.09; 95% CI, 1.13-3.86, P = 0.019 and HR 2.28; 95% CI, 1.13-4.61, P = 0.021 respectively). No effect was observed for the other tested biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Elevated tissue expression of pERK and VEGFR-2 was predictive of poor outcome in advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Dal Bello
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Camillo Porta
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Rossi
- VI Internal Medicine, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carmine Tinelli
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biometric Unit, IRCCS-Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Guido Poggi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Istituto di Cura Città di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Fanello
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera ASMN, IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Ardizzoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Silini Enrico Maria
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Facciorusso A, Licinio R, Carr BI, Di Leo A, Barone M. MEK 1/2 inhibitors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 9:993-1003. [PMID: 25915713 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2015.1040763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is the only approved systemic treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients and all the recently published randomized controlled trials on new systemic drugs have been unsuccessful. This is likely due to a lack of understanding of tumor progression, molecular drivers, and liver toxicity, as well as flaws in trial design. An important signaling pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis is the MEK cascade involved in various cellular responses, including adaptation and survival. A key role in this cascade is played by MEK, of which MEK 1/2 represent the prototypes and an interesting target for new oncological drugs. This review analyzes recent developments and future perspectives on the role of MEK inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Facciorusso
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Ospedali Riuniti Foggia, Italy
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41
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Delire B, Stärkel P. The Ras/MAPK pathway and hepatocarcinoma: pathogenesis and therapeutic implications. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:609-23. [PMID: 25832714 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a major health problem, often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is to date the sole approved systemic therapy. Several signalling pathways are implicated in tumour development and progression. Among these pathways, the Ras/MAPK pathway is activated in 50-100% of human HCCs and is correlated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this work was to review the main intracellular mechanisms leading to aberrant Ras pathway activation in HCC and the potential therapeutic implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review is based on the material found on PubMed up to December 2014. 'Ras signaling, Ras dysregulation, Ras inhibition, MAPK pathway, cancer, hepatocarcinoma and liver cancer' alone or in combination were the main terms used for online research. RESULTS Multiple mechanisms lead to the deregulation of the Ras pathway in liver cancer. Ras and Raf gene mutations are rare events in human hepatocarcinogenesis in contrast to experimental models in rodents. Downregulation of several Ras/MAPK pathway inhibitors such as GAPs, RASSF proteins, DUSP1, Sprouty and Spred proteins is largely implicated in the aberrant activation of this pathway in the context of wild-type Ras and Raf genes. Epigenetic or post-transcriptional mechanisms lead to the downregulation of these tumour suppressor genes. CONCLUSION Ras/MAPK pathway effectors may be considered as potential therapeutic targets in the field of HCC. In particular after the arrival of sorafenib, more Ras/MAPK inhibitors have emerged and are still in preclinical or clinical investigation for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte Delire
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Stärkel
- Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology, Saint-Luc Academic Hospital and Institute of Clinical Research, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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42
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Ciou SC, Chou YT, Liu YL, Nieh YC, Lu JW, Huang SF, Chou YT, Cheng LH, Lo JF, Chen MJ, Yang MC, Yuh CH, Wang HD. Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase A regulates hepatocarcinogenesis via PP2A and ERK signaling. Int J Cancer 2014; 137:104-15. [PMID: 25429733 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The deregulated nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is known to promote oncogenesis, but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we report that human ribose-5-phosphate isomerase A (RPIA) plays a role in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A significant increase in RPIA expression was detected both in tumor biopsies of HCC patients and in a liver cancer tissue array. Importantly, the clinicopathological analysis indicated that RPIA mRNA levels were highly correlated with clinical stage, grade, tumor size, types, invasion and alpha-fetoprotein levels in the HCC patients. In addition, we demonstrated that the ability of RPIA to regulate cell proliferation and colony formation in different liver cancer cell lines required ERK signaling as well as the negative modulation of PP2A activity and that the effects of RPIA could be modulated by the addition of either a PP2A inhibitor or activator. Furthermore, the xenograft studies in nude mice revealed that the modulation of RPIA in liver cancer cells regulated tumor growth and that NIH3T3 cells overexpressing RPIA exhibited increased proliferation, enhanced colony formation, elevated levels of p-ERK1/2 and accelerated tumor growth. This study provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which RPIA overexpression can induce oncogenesis in HCC. Furthermore, it suggests that RPIA can be a good prognosis biomarker and a potential target for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Ci Ciou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Zheng T, Chen M, Han S, Zhang L, Bai Y, Fang X, Ding SZ, Yang Y. Plasma minichromosome maintenance complex component 6 is a novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:1347-56. [PMID: 24451028 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to investigate the presence of plasma minichromosome maintenance complex component 6 (MCM6) mRNA and protein levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and evaluate their diagnostic value for HCC. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 61 HCC and 29 cirrhotic patients, and 30 healthy individuals. Circulating RNA was extracted from plasma of all samples. The mRNA for MCM6 were amplified and quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma MCM6 and α-fetoprotein (AFP) protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS In HCC patients, MCM6 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased over the cirrhotic and healthy controls. The levels of MCM6 mRNA and protein in the plasma of HCC patients correlated to vascular invasion (P < 0.01). Higher MCM6 protein levels also correlated with tumor stage progression and lymph node metastasis. The MCM6 protein has sensitivity of 67.2% and specificity of 89.8% in differentiating total HCC from non-HCC individuals. In the AFP negative HCC group, MCM6 mRNA and protein could both detect 76.9% of HCC patients; combining the two of them increased the detection rate to 84.6%. In small HCC patients, MCM6 mRNA and protein could detect 64.3% and 71.4% of patients, respectively; combining AFP, MCM6 mRNA and MCM6 protein could detect 85.7% of small HCC patients. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that MCM6 mRNA and protein levels in plasma can be promising independent biomarkers for HCC, especially in AFP negative and small HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenghao Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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44
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Abstract
Introduction: The MAPK pathway is essential for regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and survival. Multiple human cancers have demonstrated activation of Raf-mitogen-activated kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-related kinase signaling, a hallmark of these tumors. Efforts to inhibit various protein kinases in this pathway have led to the development of MEK inhibitors. Selumetinib is one such drug, functioning as an oral, selective non-ATP-competitive MEK1/2 inhibitor. Areas covered: In this article, the authors discuss the underlying biology of MEK inhibition and its rationale in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the authors summarize the clinical development of selumetinib in various tumor types, from initial Phase I studies to randomized Phase II studies, both as monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapeutics. Expert opinion: Given the frequency of activated MAPK signaling in multiple tumor types, the potent MEK inhibitor selumetinib had strong preclinical and early clinical rationale, particularly in those tumors harboring KRAS or BRAF mutations. While efficacy signals have been seen in various tumor types treated with selumetinib, better biomarkers are needed to select patients most likely to respond favorably to this agent. Furthermore, combinatorial therapy with selumetinib and other targeted agents can likely be optimized to maximize the antitumor effect of inhibiting RAS/MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Keon Ciombor
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine , Columbus, OH , USA
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Işeri OD, Sahin FI, Terzi YK, Yurtcu E, Erdem SR, Sarialioglu F. beta-Adrenoreceptor antagonists reduce cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2014; 52:1374-1381. [PMID: 25026350 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.892513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Propranolol, atenolol, and ICI118,551 are non-selective β-adrenergic receptor (AR), β1-AR, and β2-AR antagonists, respectively. OBJECTIVE We investigated the efficacy of propranolol, atenolol, and ICI118,551 on proliferation, migration, and invasion of non-stimulated breast (MCF7), colon (HT-29), and hepatocellular (HepG2) cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS β-AR expression profiling of cells was performed by real time PCR. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT. Boyden chamber and scratch assays were performed to evaluate invasion and migration. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION All cell lines expressed β-ARs. ICI118,551 was the most cytotoxic, whereas atenolol was the least effective β-AR antagonist for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell invasion was inhibited by ICI118,551 (45, 46, and 50% for MCF7, HT29, and HepG2, respectively) and propranolol (72, 65, and 90% for MCF7, HT29, and HepG2, respectively). Propranolol, atenolol, and ICI118,551 reduced migration of MCF7, HT-29, and HepG2 cells to varying extents depending on the application concentration and duration. Propranolol and atenolol reduced migration of MCF7 and HT-29 in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas migration of these cells decreased after 48 and 72 h of ICI118,551 applications. CONCLUSION Beta2-AR antagonist seemed to be the most cytotoxic β-blocker on non-stimulated cancer cells. Propranolol and ICI118,551 were more effective than atenolol in inhibiting invasion and migration of non-stimulated MCF7 and HT-29 cells; ICI118,551 being the most potent. Concordantly, β2-selective blockage seemed to be more effective for non-stimulated cells. Effect of the selective β-AR antagonists showed variation depending on the concentration, incubation time, and histological origin of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Darcansoy Işeri
- Institute of Transplantation and Gene Sciences, Baskent University , Ankara , Turkey
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46
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Braeuning A, Bucher P, Hofmann U, Buchmann A, Schwarz M. Chemically induced mouse liver tumors are resistant to treatment with atorvastatin. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:766. [PMID: 25319454 PMCID: PMC4203962 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Atorvastatin is a potent inhibitor of the mevalonate pathway and widely used as a hypolipidemic drug. Some epidemiological studies and animal experiments indicate that the long-term use of atorvastatin and structurally related drugs might be associated with a reduced risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common hepatocellular malignancy in humans. However, the potential of atorvastatin to inhibit HCC formation is controversially discussed. Methods Hepatocellular tumors were chemically induced by treatment of C3H/He mice with 10 μg/g body weight N-nitrosodiethylamine and the ability of atorvastatin to interfere with tumor formation was investigated by treatment of mice with 0.1% atorvastatin in the diet for 6 months. Tumor size and tumor multiplicity were analyzed, as were tissue levels of cholesterol and atorvastatin. Results Atorvastatin treatment efficiently reduced serum cholesterol levels. However, the growth of tumors driven by activated MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling was not attenuated by the presence of the drug, as evidenced by a lack of reduction of tumor volume or tumor multiplicity by atorvastatin. Levels of the atorvastatin uptake transporters Oatp1a4 and Oatp1b2 were down-regulated at the mRNA and protein levels in chemically induced mouse liver tumors, but without striking effects on atorvastatin concentrations in the tumor tissue. Conclusion In summary, the present data provide substantial evidence that atorvastatin does not beneficially influence tumor growth in mouse liver and thereby challenge the hypothesis that statin use might protect against hepatocellular cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-766) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Braeuning
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Toxicology, University of Tuebingen, Wilhelmstr, 56, Tuebingen 72074, Germany.
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48
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Mikhail S, Cosgrove D, Zeidan A. Hepatocellular carcinoma: systemic therapies and future perspectives. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2014; 14:1205-18. [PMID: 25199765 DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2014.949246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is (HCC) the most common primary malignancy of the liver in adults. It is also the fifth most common solid cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Treatment options for HCC include liver transplantation, surgical resection, locoregional therapies and chemotherapy. The median survival time of patients following the diagnosis of unresectable disease is approximately 6-20 months, whereas the 5-year survival is less than 5%. Given the projected increase in incidence of HCC due to hepatitis C virus infection and obesity related cirrhosis, there is an urgent need for more intensive research in this cancer. In this article, we review the systemic options available for patients with HCC, its molecular pathogenesis and future therapeutic directions with special emphasis on immune-based and molecularly-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh Mikhail
- Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, 320 W.10th Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
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49
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Allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor refametinib (BAY 86-9766) in combination with sorafenib exhibits antitumor activity in preclinical murine and rat models of hepatocellular carcinoma. Neoplasia 2014; 15:1161-71. [PMID: 24204195 DOI: 10.1593/neo.13812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objectives of the study were to evaluate the allosteric mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor BAY 86-9766 in monotherapy and in combination with sorafenib in orthotopic and subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models with different underlying etiologies in two species. DESIGN Antiproliferative potential of BAY 86-9766 and synergistic effects with sorafenib were studied in several HCC cell lines. Relevant pathway signaling was studied in MH3924a cells. For in vivo testing, the HCC cells were implanted subcutaneously or orthotopically. Survival and mode of action (MoA) were analyzed. RESULTS BAY 86-9766 exhibited potent antiproliferative activity in HCC cell lines with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 33 to 762 nM. BAY 86-9766 was strongly synergistic with sorafenib in suppressing tumor cell proliferation and inhibiting phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). BAY 86-9766 prolonged survival in Hep3B xenografts, murine Hepa129 allografts, and MH3924A rat allografts. Additionally, tumor growth, ascites formation, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were reduced. Synergistic effects in combination with sorafenib were shown in Huh-7, Hep3B xenografts, and MH3924A allografts. On the signaling pathway level, the combination of BAY 86-9766 and sorafenib led to inhibition of the upregulatory feedback loop toward MEK phosphorylation observed after BAY 86-9766 monotreatment. With regard to the underlying MoA, inhibition of ERK phosphorylation, tumor cell proliferation, and microvessel density was observed in vivo. CONCLUSION BAY 86-9766 shows potent single-agent antitumor activity and acts synergistically in combination with sorafenib in preclinical HCC models. These results support the ongoing clinical development of BAY 86-9766 and sorafenib in advanced HCC.
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Liu Y, Wang M, Feng H, Li A. Comprehensive study of tumour single nucleotide polymorphism array data reveals significant driver aberrations and disrupted signalling pathways in human hepatocellular cancer. IET Syst Biol 2014; 8:24-32. [PMID: 25014222 DOI: 10.1049/iet-syb.2013.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The authors describe an integrated method for analysing cancer driver aberrations and disrupted pathways by using tumour single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. The authors new method adopts a novel statistical model to explicitly quantify the SNP signals, and therefore infers the genomic aberrations, including copy number alteration and loss of heterozygosity. Examination on the dilution series dataset shows that this method can correctly identify the genomic aberrations even with the existence of severe normal cell contamination in tumour sample. Furthermore, with the results of the aberration identification obtained from multiple tumour samples, a permutation-based approach is proposed for identifying the statistically significant driver aberrations, which are further incorporated with the known signalling pathways for pathway enrichment analysis. By applying the approach to 286 hepatocellular tumour samples, they successfully uncover numerous driver aberration regions across the cancer genome, for example, chromosomes 4p and 5q, which harbour many known hepatocellular cancer related genes such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ectodermal-neural cortex (ENC1). In addition, they identify nine disrupted pathways that are highly enriched by the driver aberrations, including the systemic lupus erythematosus pathway, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling pathway and so on. These results support the feasibility and the utility of the proposed method on the characterisation of the cancer genome and the downstream analysis of the driver aberrations and the disrupted signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Liu
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei AH230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Wang
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei AH230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanqing Feng
- School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei AH230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Ao Li
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei AH230027, People's Republic of China.
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