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Malla R, Jyosthsna K, Rani G, Purnachandra Nagaraju G. CD44/PD-L1-mediated networks in drug resistance and immune evasion of breast cancer stem cells: Promising targets of natural compounds. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112613. [PMID: 38959542 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly interfere with immunotherapy, leading to challenges such as low response rates and acquired resistance. PD-L1 expression is associated with the CSC population's overexpression of CD44. Mounting evidence suggests that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker CD44 and the immune checkpoint PD-L1 contribute to treatment failure through their networks. Natural compounds can overcome therapy resistance in breast cancer by targeting mechanisms underlying resistance in BCSCs. This review provides an updated insight into the CD44 and PD-L1 networks of BCSCs in mediating metastasis and immune evasion. The review critically examines existing literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic and emphasizing the impact of natural flavones on the signaling pathways of BCSCs. Additionally, the review discusses the potential of natural compounds in targeting CD44 and PD-L1 in breast cancer (BC). Natural compounds consistently show potential in targeting regulatory mechanisms of BCSCs, inducing loss of stemness, and promoting differentiation. They offer a promising approach for developing alternative therapeutic strategies to manage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Kattula Jyosthsna
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - G Rani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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Huang P, Zhang X, Prabhu JS, Pandey V. Therapeutic vulnerabilities in triple negative breast cancer: Stem-like traits explored within molecular classification. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116584. [PMID: 38613998 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer (BC). Despite advances in the clinical management of TNBC, recurrence-related mortality remains a challenge. The stem-like phenotype of TNBC plays a significant role in the persistence of minimal disease residue after therapy. Individuals exhibiting stem-like characteristics are particularly prone to inducing malignant relapse accompanied by strong resistance. Therefore, stem-like traits have been broadly proposed as therapeutic vulnerabilities to treat TNBC and reduce recurrence. However, heterogeneity within TNBC often generally restricts the stability of the therapeutic efficacy. To understand the heterogeneity and manage TNBC more precisely, multiple TNBC subtyping categories have been reported, providing the basis for profile-according therapeutic regimens. To provide more insight into targeting stem-like traits to ablate TNBC and reduce recurrence in the context of heterogeneity, this paper reviewed the molecular subtyping of TNBC, identified the consensus subtypes with distinct stem-like phenotypes, characterized the stemness hierarchy of TNBC, outlined the biological models for stem-like TNBC subtypes, summarized the therapeutic vulnerabilities in stem-like traits of the subtypes, and proposed potential therapeutic regimens targeting stem-like characteristics to improve TNBC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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3
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Qin H, Zhou Y, Liu H, Yuan Y, Guo Q, Yuan M, Xi T, Zhang Y. 1-Benzylimidazole attenuates the stemness of breast cancer cells through partially targeting CYP4Z1. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1505-1520. [PMID: 37994574 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4Z1 (CYP4Z1) has recently garnered much interest as its expression predicts a poor prognosis and as a oncogene in breast cancer, and overexpressed in other many cancers. We previously showed that CYP4Z1 acts as a promoter of cancer stem cells (CSCs) to facilitate the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Here, RNA sequencing found that 1-benzylimidazole (1-Benzy) held a preferable correlation with breast cancer and suppressed the expression of CSC makers. Further functional experiments, including mammary spheroid formation, wound-healing, transwell-invasion, detection of tumor initiation, and metastatic ability, showed that 1-Benzy suppressed the stemness and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Additionally, we further demonstrated that CYP4Z1 is necessary for 1-Benzy-mediated suppression on breast cancer stemness and 1-Benzy exerted a weaker effect in breast cancer cells with CYP4Z1 knockdown. Taken together, our data suggest that 1-Benzy might be a potential drug suppressing breast cancer stemness via targeting CYP4Z1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Qin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital, Guiyang City, Guizhou, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqin Yuan
- Microbiological Laboratory, Guizhou Center For Medical Device Testing, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Manqin Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Tao Xi
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital, Guiyang City, Guizhou, China
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4
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Hao XL, Lv YF, Li DF, Bai FH, Gong J, Pan GQ, Su LX, Wang YL, Fu WL, Liu B, Huang L, Yan D, Tan QL, Liu JY, Guo QN. TC2N inhibits distant metastasis and stemness of breast cancer via blocking fatty acid synthesis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:6. [PMID: 38167440 PMCID: PMC10763294 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04721-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tandem C2 domains, nuclear (TC2N) is a C2 domain-containing protein that belongs to the carboxyl-terminal type (C-type) tandem C2 protein family, and acts as an oncogenic driver in several cancers. Previously, we preliminarily reported that TC2N mediates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to inhibit tumor growth of breast cancer (BC) cells. Beyond that, its precise biological functions and detailed molecular mechanisms in BC development and progression are not fully understood. METHODS Tumor tissues of 212 BC patients were subjected to tissue microarray and further assessed the associations of TC2N expression with pathological parameters and FASN expression. The protein levels of TC2N and FASN in cell lines and tumor specimens were monitored by qRT-PCR, WB, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. In vitro cell assays, in vivo nude mice model was used to assess the effect of TC2N ectopic expression on tumor metastasis and stemness of breast cancer cells. The downstream signaling pathway or target molecule of TC2N was mined using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics, and the underlying mechanism was explored by WB and co-IP assays. RESULTS Here, we found that the expression of TC2N remarkedly silenced in metastatic and poorly differentiated tumors. Function-wide, TC2N strongly inhibits tumor metastasis and stem-like properties of BC via inhibition of fatty acid synthesis. Mechanism-wise, TC2N blocks neddylated PTEN-mediated FASN stabilization by a dual mechanism. The C2B domain is crucial for nuclear localization of TC2N, further consolidating the TRIM21-mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of FASN by competing with neddylated PTEN for binding to FASN in nucleus. On the other hand, cytoplasmic TC2N interacts with import proteins, thereby restraining nuclear import of PTEN to decrease neddylated PTEN level. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, we demonstrate a previously unidentified role and mechanism of TC2N in regulation of lipid metabolism and PTEN neddylation, providing a potential therapeutic target for anti-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Lin Hao
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang-Fan Lv
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Feng Li
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu-Hai Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Gong
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Qiang Pan
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Xi Su
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan-Lei Fu
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Lin Tan
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Yi Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiao-Nan Guo
- Department of Pathology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Guo YJ, Pang JR, Zhang Y, Li ZR, Zi XL, Liu HM, Wang N, Zhao LJ, Gao Y, Wang B, Herdewijn P, Jin CY, Liu Y, Zheng YC. Neddylation-dependent LSD1 destabilization inhibits the stemness and chemoresistance of gastric cancer. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:126801. [PMID: 37689288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) expression has been evaluated in multiple tumors, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the mechanisms underlying LSD1 dysregulation in GC remain largely unclear. In this study, neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 8 (NEDD8) was identified to be conjugated to LSD1 at K63 by ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 M (UBE2M), and this neddylated LSD1 could promote LSD1 ubiquitination and degradation, leading to a decrease of GC cell stemness and chemoresistance. Herein, our findings revealed a novel mechanism of LSD1 neddylation and its contribution to decreasing GC cell stemness and chemoresistance. Taken together, our findings may whistle about the future application of neddylation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jia Guo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing-Ru Pang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Rui Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zi
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cheng-Yun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Engineering Research Center for Application & Translation of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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6
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Jan N, Sofi S, Qayoom H, Haq BU, Shabir A, Mir MA. Targeting breast cancer stem cells through retinoids: A new hope for treatment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 192:104156. [PMID: 37827439 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex and diverse disease accounting for nearly 30% of all cancers diagnosed in females. But unfortunately, patients develop resistance to the existing chemotherapeutic regimen, resulting in approximately 90% treatment failure. With over half a million deaths annually, it is imperative to explore new therapeutic approaches to combat the disease. Within a breast tumor, a small sub-population of heterogeneous cells, with a unique ability of self-renew and differentiation and responsible for tumor formation, initiation, and recurrence are referred to as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). These BCSCs have been identified as one of the main contributors to chemoresistance in breast cancer, making them an attractive target for developing novel therapeutic strategies. These cells exhibit surface biomarkers such as CD44+, CD24-/LOW, ALDH, CD133, and CD49f phenotypes. Higher expression of CD44+ and ALDH activity has been associated with the formation of tumors in various cancers. Moreover, the abnormal regulation of signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Notch, β-catenin, JAK/STAT, and P13K/AKT/mTOR, leads to the formation of cancer stem cells, resulting in the development of tumors. The growing drug resistance in BC is a significant challenge, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies to combat this dreadful disease. Retinoids, a large group of synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, have been studied as chemopreventive agents in clinical trials and have been shown to regulate various crucial biological functions including vision, development, inflammation, and metabolism. On a cellular level, the retinoid activity has been well characterized and translated and is known to induce differentiation and apoptosis, which play important roles in the outcome of the transformation of tissues into malignant. Retinoids have been investigated extensively for their use in the treatment and prevention of cancer due to their high receptor-binding affinity to directly modulate gene expression programs. Therefore, in this study, we aim to summarize the current understanding of BCSCs, their biomarkers, and the associated signaling pathways. Retinoids, such as Adapalene, a third-generation retinoid, have shown promising anti-cancer potential and may serve as therapeutic agents to target BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Jan
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Shazia Sofi
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Hina Qayoom
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Burhan Ul Haq
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Aisha Shabir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India
| | - Manzoor Ahmad Mir
- Department of Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India.
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7
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Zhang S, Zhong M, Zhu H, You Q, Yuan H, Li Y. Hypomethylation of DRD2 promotes breast cancer through the FLNA-ERK pathway. Cancer Genet 2023; 278-279:71-78. [PMID: 37729778 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effect of stem cell marker dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) on the proliferation of hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer cells. High-throughput DNA methylation sequencing on an 850 K chip was used to pre-screen breast cancer tissues with significant methylation differences. The expression of DRD2 in breast cancer and normal breast tissues, and clinical risk factors, were detected by pyrophosphoric acid validation and immunohistochemistry. In vitro and in vivo experiments verified the possible molecular signaling pathways. DRD2 promoter region was hypomethylated in hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer or with high-risk factors compared to the normal tissues. The proliferation of breast cancer cells was enhanced after DRD2 was upregulated and decreased after DRD2 was downregulated. In vivo experiments found that tumor growth and the expression of antigen KI-67 (Ki67) and the cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) were improved by the overexpression of DRD2 and inhibited by the down expression of DRD2. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated the phosphorylation of filamin A and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (FLNA-ERK) was influenced by the expression of DRD2, suggesting DRD2 plays a role in the FLNA-ERK signaling pathway. Methylation inhibitors (5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, 5-azadc) partially reversed the inhibitory effect of DRD2 down expression on cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth in animal models, indicating that inhibition of DRD2 methylation promotes cancer development. This study demonstrated the DRD2 promoter region is hypomethylated in hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer or with high-risk factors. The methylation status of the DRD2 promoter and FLNA-ERK signaling pathway and the DRD2 expression in breast cancer treatment need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuoyi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China
| | - Ming Zhong
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China
| | - Qinghua You
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China
| | - Yongping Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, China.
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8
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Guo Q, Pan K, Qiu P, Liu Z, Chen J, Lin J. Identification of an exosome-related signature associated with prognosis and immune infiltration in breast cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18198. [PMID: 37875600 PMCID: PMC10598067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45325-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes, nanosized vesicles, play a vital role in breast cancer (BC) occurrence, development, and drug resistance. Hence, we proceeded to study the potential prognostic value of exosome-related genes and their relationship to the immune microenvironment in BC. 121 exosome-related genes were provided by the ExoBCD database, and 7 final genes were selected to construct the prognostic signature. Besides, the expression levels of the 7 exosome-related genes were validated by the experiment in BC cell lines. Based on the signature, BC patients from the training and validation cohorts were separated into low- and high-risk groups. Subsequently, the R clusterProfiler package was applied to identify the distinct enrichment pathways between high-risk groups and low-risk groups. The relevance of the tumor immune microenvironment and exosome-related gene risk score were analyzed in BC. Eventually, the different expression levels of immune checkpoint-related genes were compared between the two risk groups. Based on the risk model, the low-risk groups were identified with a higher survival rate both in the training and validation cohorts. A better overall survival was revealed in patients with higher scores evaluated by the estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Subsequently, BC patients with lower risk scores were indicated by higher expression levels of some immune checkpoint-related genes and immune cell infiltration. Exosomes are closely associated with the prognosis and immune cell infiltration of BC. These findings may contribute to improving immunotherapy and provide a new vision for BC treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaonan Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Kelun Pan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Pengjun Qiu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zundong Liu
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jianpeng Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Jianqing Lin
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
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9
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Spatio-temporal modelling of phenotypic heterogeneity in tumour tissues and its impact on radiotherapy treatment. J Theor Biol 2023; 556:111248. [PMID: 36150537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We present a mathematical model that describes how tumour heterogeneity evolves in a tissue slice that is oxygenated by a single blood vessel. Phenotype is identified with the stemness level of a cell and determines its proliferative capacity, apoptosis propensity and response to treatment. Our study is based on numerical bifurcation analysis and dynamical simulations of a system of coupled, non-local (in phenotypic "space") partial differential equations that link the phenotypic evolution of the tumour cells to local tissue oxygen levels. In our formulation, we consider a 1D geometry where oxygen is supplied by a blood vessel located on the domain boundary and consumed by the tumour cells as it diffuses through the tissue. For biologically relevant parameter values, the system exhibits multiple steady states; in particular, depending on the initial conditions, the tumour is either eliminated ("tumour-extinction") or it persists ("tumour-invasion"). We conclude by using the model to investigate tumour responses to radiotherapy, and focus on identifying radiotherapy strategies which can eliminate the tumour. Numerical simulations reveal how phenotypic heterogeneity evolves during treatment and highlight the critical role of tissue oxygen levels on the efficacy of radiation protocols that are commonly used in the clinic.
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10
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Qiu P, Guo Q, Pan K, Chen J, Lin J. A pyroptosis-associated gene risk model for predicting the prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:890242. [PMID: 36276158 PMCID: PMC9582146 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.890242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyroptosis is a novel identified form of inflammatory cell death that is important in the development and progression of various diseases, including malignancies. However, the relationship between pyroptosis and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still unclear. Therefore, we started to investigate the potential prognostic value of pyroptosis-associated genes in TNBC. METHODS Thirty-three genes associated with pyroptosis were extracted from previous publications, 30 of which were identified in the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) cohort. On the basis of the 30 pyroptosis-related genes, patients with TNBC were divided into three subtypes through unsupervised cluster analysis. The prognostic value of each pyroptosis-associated gene was assessed, and six genes were selected by univariate and LASSO Cox regression analysis to establish a multigene signature. According to the median value of risk score, patients with TNBC in the training and validation cohorts were separated to high- and low-risk sets. The enrichment analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the two risk sets using R clusterProfiler package. Moreover, the ESTIMATE score and immune cell infiltration were calculated by the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT methods. After that, the correlation among pyroptosis-associated risk score and the expression of immune checkpoint-associated genes as well as anti-cancer drugs sensitivities were further analyzed. RESULTS In the training and validation cohorts, patients with TNBC in the high-risk set were found in a lower survival rate than those in the low-risk set. Combined with the clinical characteristics, the pyroptosis-related risk score was identified as an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with TNBC. The enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs between the two risk groups were mainly enriched by immune responses and activities. In addition, patients with TNBC in the low-risk set were found to have a higher value of ESTIMATE score and a higher rate of immune cell infiltration. Finally, the expression levels of five genes [programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1); cytotoxic t-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4); lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3); T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT)] associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors were identified to be higher in the low-risk sets. The sensitivities of some anti-cancer drugs commonly used in breast cancer were found closely related to the pyroptosis-associated risk model. CONCLUSION The pyproptosis-associated risk model plays a vital role in the tumor immunity of TNBC and can be applied to be a prognostic predictor of patients with TNBC. Our discovery will provide novel insight for TNBC immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jianqing Lin
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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11
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Li J, Zhang Y, Li C, Wu H, Feng C, Wang W, Liu X, Zhang Y, Cai Y, Jia Y, Qiao H, Wu F, Zhang S. A lactate-related LncRNA model for predicting prognosis, immune landscape and therapeutic response in breast cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:956246. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.956246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) has the highest incidence rate of all cancers globally, with high heterogeneity. Increasing evidence shows that lactate and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) play a critical role in tumor occurrence, maintenance, therapeutic response, and immune microenvironment. We aimed to construct a lactate-related lncRNAs prognostic signature (LRLPS) for BC patients to predict prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and treatment responses. The BC data download from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was the entire cohort, and it was randomly assigned to the training and test cohorts at a 1:1 ratio. Difference analysis and Pearson correlation analysis identified 196 differentially expressed lactate-related lncRNAs (LRLs). The univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to construct the LRLPS, which consisted of 7 LRLs. Patients could be assigned into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the medium-risk sore in the training cohort. Then, we performed the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and univariate and multivariate analyses. The results indicated that the prognosis prediction ability of the LRLPS was excellent, robust, and independent. Furthermore, a nomogram was constructed based on the LRLPS risk score and clinical factors to predict the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival probability. The GO/KEGG and GSEA indicated that immune-related pathways differed between the two-risk group. CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), and Immunophenoscore (IPS) showed that low-risk patients had higher levels of immune infiltration and better immunotherapeutic response. The pRRophetic and CellMiner databases indicated that many common chemotherapeutic drugs were more effective for low-risk patients. In conclusion, we developed a novel LRLPS for BC that could predict the prognosis, immune landscape, and treatment response.
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12
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Mendez MJ, Hoffman MJ, Cherry EM, Lemmon CA, Weinberg SH. A data-assimilation approach to predict population dynamics during epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Biophys J 2022; 121:3061-3080. [PMID: 35836379 PMCID: PMC9463646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that plays a central role in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer metastasis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a potent inducer of this cellular transition, comprising transitions from an epithelial state to partial or hybrid EMT state(s), to a mesenchymal state. Recent experimental studies have shown that, within a population of epithelial cells, heterogeneous phenotypical profiles arise in response to different time- and TGFβ dose-dependent stimuli. This offers a challenge for computational models, as most model parameters are generally obtained to represent typical cell responses, not necessarily specific responses nor to capture population variability. In this study, we applied a data-assimilation approach that combines limited noisy observations with predictions from a computational model, paired with parameter estimation. Synthetic experiments mimic the biological heterogeneity in cell states that is observed in epithelial cell populations by generating a large population of model parameter sets. Analysis of the parameters for virtual epithelial cells with biologically significant characteristics (e.g., EMT prone or resistant) illustrates that these sub-populations have identifiable critical model parameters. We perform a series of in silico experiments in which a forecasting system reconstructs the EMT dynamics of each virtual cell within a heterogeneous population exposed to time-dependent exogenous TGFβ dose and either an EMT-suppressing or EMT-promoting perturbation. We find that estimating population-specific critical parameters significantly improved the prediction accuracy of cell responses. Thus, with appropriate protocol design, we demonstrate that a data-assimilation approach successfully reconstructs and predicts the dynamics of a heterogeneous virtual epithelial cell population in the presence of physiological model error and parameter uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario J Mendez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Matthew J Hoffman
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
| | - Elizabeth M Cherry
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York; School of Computational Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christopher A Lemmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Seth H Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
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13
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Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126813. [PMID: 35743256 PMCID: PMC9224163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer therapies have made significant strides in improving survival for patients over the past decades. However, recurrence and drug resistance continue to challenge long-term recurrence-free and overall survival rates. Mounting evidence supports the cancer stem cell model in which the existence of a small population of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) within the tumor enables these cells to evade conventional therapies and repopulate the tumor, giving rise to more aggressive, recurrent tumors. Thus, successful breast cancer therapy would need to target these BCSCs, as well the tumor bulk cells. Since the Women’s Health Initiative study reported an increased risk of breast cancer with the use of conventional hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, many have turned their attention to phytoestrogens as a natural alternative. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that share structural similarities with human estrogens and can bind to the estrogen receptors to alter the endocrine responses. Recent studies have found that phytoestrogens can also target BCSCs and have the potential to complement conventional therapy eradicating BCSCs. This review summarized the latest findings of different phytoestrogens and their effect on BCSCs, along with their mechanisms of action, including selective estrogen receptor binding and inhibition of molecular pathways used by BCSCs. The latest results of phytoestrogens in clinical trials are also discussed to further evaluate the use of phytoestrogen in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
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14
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Screening of Immune-Related Genes and Predicting the Immunotherapeutic Effects of Formononetin in Breast Cancer: A Bioinformatics Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:9942373. [PMID: 35463082 PMCID: PMC9033346 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9942373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective Immunotherapy is a promising breast cancer treatment. Nonetheless, tumor heterogeneity and the interaction between immune cells in the tumor microenvironment limit its effectiveness. Formononetin—extracted from the Chinese medicinal plant Astragalus membranaceus—can inhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosis and angiogenesis, and reverse multidrug resistance. However, its efficacy and mechanism of action on the immune cells in breast cancer remain unclear. Here, we screened immune-related genes of breast cancer to determine the potential of formononetin as a therapeutic. Methods GSE103512 and GSE139038 breast cancer microarray data and immune-related gene data were obtained from the GEO and ImmPort databases, respectively, to analyze the differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs) in breast cancer tissues compared with normal breast tissues. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed using the STRING database to screen differentially expressed IRGs based on the topological parameters. The Kaplan–Meier test was applied to detect differentially expressed IRGs associated with breast cancer survival, and the interaction of formononetin with differentially expressed IRGs was analyzed using molecular docking. Finally, the relationship between differentially expressed IRGs and breast cancer immune cell infiltration was analyzed using the TIMER2.0 database. Results A total of 29 differentially expressed IRGs of breast cancer were screened through GEO and ImmPort databases and 10 key differentially expressed IRGs based on the topological parameters from the PPI network. Among these, CXCL12, ESR1, IGF1, and FOS were associated with breast cancer survival. Furthermore, IGF1, ESR1, and CXCL12 were found to have stable binding sites for formononetin. These genes were associated with substantial immune cell infiltration in breast cancer tissues. Conclusion In conclusion, formononetin may exert antitumor effects by acting on CXCL12, ESR1, and IGF1 and may have a potential synergistic effect with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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15
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Conde I, Ribeiro AS, Paredes J. Breast Cancer Stem Cell Membrane Biomarkers: Therapy Targeting and Clinical Implications. Cells 2022; 11:934. [PMID: 35326385 PMCID: PMC8946706 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women worldwide. Importantly, there have been significant improvements in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment options, which resulted in a significant decrease in breast cancer mortality rates. Nevertheless, the high rates of incidence combined with therapy resistance result in cancer relapse and metastasis, which still contributes to unacceptably high mortality of breast cancer patients. In this context, a small subpopulation of highly tumourigenic cancer cells within the tumour bulk, commonly designated as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), have been suggested as key elements in therapy resistance, which are responsible for breast cancer relapses and distant metastasis. Thus, improvements in BCSC-targeting therapies are crucial to tackling the metastatic progression and might allow therapy resistance to be overcome. However, the design of effective and specific BCSC-targeting therapies has been challenging since there is a lack of specific biomarkers for BCSCs, and the most common clinical approaches are designed for commonly altered BCSCs signalling pathways. Therefore, the search for a new class of BCSC biomarkers, such as the expression of membrane proteins with cancer stem cell potential, is an area of clinical relevance, once membrane proteins are accessible on the cell surface and easily recognized by specific antibodies. Here, we discuss the significance of BCSC membrane biomarkers as potential prognostic and therapeutic targets, reviewing the CSC-targeting therapies under clinical trials for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Conde
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Ribeiro
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Paredes
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (A.S.R.)
- Ipatimup, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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16
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Xu Q, Yan X, Han Z, Jin X, Jin Y, Sun H, Liang J, Zhang S. Immune Cell Infiltration and Relevant Gene Signatures in the Tumor Microenvironment that Significantly Associates With the Prognosis of Patients With Breast Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:823911. [PMID: 35281270 PMCID: PMC8905140 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.823911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Recent studies have investigated the prognostic value of the tumor microenvironment (TME)-related genes in breast cancer. The purpose of this research is to identify the immune-associated prognostic signature for breast cancer evaluate the probability of their prognostic value and compare the current staging system. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the infiltration patterns of TME in 1,077 breast cancer patients downloaded from TCGA by applying the ssGSEA method to the transcriptome of these patients. Thus, generated two groups of immune cell infiltration. Based on two groups of low infiltration and high infiltration immune cell groups, 983 common differentially expressed genes were found using the limma algorithm. In addition, studying potential mechanisms, the GSEA method was used to indicate some pathways with remarkable enrichment in two clusters of immune cell infiltration. Finally, the seven immune-associated hub genes with survival as prognostic signatures were identified by using univariate Cox, survival, and LASSO analyses and constructed a TME score. The prognostic value of the TME score was self-validated in the TCGA cohort and further validated in an external independent set from METABRIC and GEO database by time-dependent survival receiver operation. Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinicopathological characteristics indicated that the TME score was an independent prognostic factor. In conclusion, the proposed TME score model should be considered as a prognostic factor, similar to the current TNM stage, and the seven immune-related genes can be a valuable potential biomarker for breast cancer.
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Wang C, Xu K, Wang R, Han X, Tang J, Guan X. Heterogeneity of BCSCs contributes to the metastatic organotropism of breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:370. [PMID: 34801088 PMCID: PMC8605572 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most-common female malignancies with a high risk of relapse and distant metastasis. The distant metastasis of breast cancer exhibits organotropism, including brain, lung, liver and bone. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small population of breast cancer cells with tumor-initiating ability, which participate in regulating distant metastasis in breast cancer. We investigated the heterogeneity of BCSCs according to biomarker status, epithelial or mesenchymal status and other factors. Based on the classical “seed and soil” theory, we explored the effect of BCSCs on the metastatic organotropism in breast cancer at both “seed” and “soil” levels, with BCSCs as the “seed” and BCSCs-related microenvironment as the “soil”. We also summarized current clinical trials, which assessed the safety and efficacy of BCSCs-related therapies. Understanding the role of BCSCs heterogeneity for regulating metastatic organotropism in breast cancer would provide a new insight for the diagnosis and treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cenzhu Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Kun Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Runtian Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Xin Han
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Jinhai Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Guan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.
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Tumor Heterogeneity and Consequences for Bladder Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215297. [PMID: 34771460 PMCID: PMC8582570 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease that is composed of epithelia with varying transcriptional, mutational and lineage signatures. The epithelia of bladder tumors can also undergo pronounced changes in transcriptional and phenotypical qualities in response to progression, treatment related stresses and cues from the tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesize that changes in epithelial tumor heterogeneity (EpTH) occur due to the evolving content of epithelial subpopulations through both Darwinian and Lamarckian-like natural selection processes. We further conjecture that lineage-defined subpopulations can change through nongenomic and genomic cellular mechanisms that include cellular plasticity and acquired driver mutations, respectively. We propose that such processes are dynamic and contribute towards clinical treatment challenges including progression to drug resistance. In this article, we assess mechanisms that may support dynamic tumor heterogeneity with the overall goal of emphasizing the application of these concepts to the clinical setting. Abstract Acquired therapeutic resistance remains a major challenge in cancer management and associates with poor oncological outcomes in most solid tumor types. A major contributor is tumor heterogeneity (TH) which can be influenced by the stromal; immune and epithelial tumor compartments. We hypothesize that heterogeneity in tumor epithelial subpopulations—whether de novo or newly acquired—closely regulate the clinical course of bladder cancer. Changes in these subpopulations impact the tumor microenvironment including the extent of immune cell infiltration and response to immunotherapeutics. Mechanisms driving epithelial tumor heterogeneity (EpTH) can be broadly categorized as mutational and non-mutational. Mechanisms regulating lineage plasticity; acquired cellular mutations and changes in lineage-defined subpopulations regulate stress responses to clinical therapies. If tumor heterogeneity is a dynamic process; an increased understanding of how EpTH is regulated is critical in order for clinical therapies to be more sustained and durable. In this review and analysis, we assess the importance and regulatory mechanisms governing EpTH in bladder cancer and the impact on treatment response.
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Nguyen A, Fullard K, Sheehan-Dare G, Tang R, Chan L, Ho B, Dear R, Keane J, Hickey A, Nandurkar R, Chen J, Chen A, Lim E, Emmett L. Diagnostic value of 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET-CT imaging for staging of ER + /PR + HER2- breast cancer patients with metastatic disease: Comparison with conventional imaging with bone scan, diagnostic CT and 18 F-FDG PET-CT in a prospective pilot trial. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 66:731-737. [PMID: 34676675 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13342] [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: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 18 F-Fludeoxyglucose PET-CT (FDG) is increasingly used to stage breast cancer. Most breast cancers express the Oestrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PR), and this subtype demonstrates lower activity on FDG imaging. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) offer a potentially improved radiotracer target for ER+ /PR+ breast cancer. We present the first in␣vivo clinical study comparing 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET-CT (DOTA) to FDG and conventional imaging (bone scan and diagnostic CT), in metastatic ER+ /PR+ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer. METHODS Patients with clinically progressive metastatic ER+ /PR+ HER2- breast cancer underwent restaging with DOTA, FDG and conventional imaging. Scans were analysed visually, and semi-quantitatively. Wilcoxon-Rank Scoring was used to assess significance. RESULTS Ten women (mean age 57 years) underwent imaging. 8/10 demonstrated disease on both DOTA and FDG. 2/10 positive on conventional imaging, but DOTA- /FDG- , and had no disease progression at 1-year follow-up. Heterogeneity of uptake was seen between DOTA and FDG with 5 bone lesions DOTA+ /FDG- and 1 bone lesion FDG+ /DOTA- . Twenty-one visceral lesions were FDG+ /DOTA- (2 patients), with 10/21 identified on conventional imaging. Maximum standard uptake values (SUV max) of DOTA were greater than FDG (10.9 vs. 6.6, P = ns). Four sites were biopsied (3 patients). 3/4 had high ER/PR expression (mean DOTA SUV max 9.4) and 1/4 low ER/PR expression (DOTA SUV max 3.1). CONCLUSION Whilst we have not demonstrated DOTA to be superior to FDG in staging of ER+ /PR+ breast cancers, DOTA may have a role in assessing HR status and treatment decisions; further evaluation of this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Nguyen
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Fullard
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gemma Sheehan-Dare
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Reuben Tang
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lyn Chan
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bao Ho
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Dear
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne Keane
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Hickey
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rohan Nandurkar
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julia Chen
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Chen
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Emmett
- Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Zhu K, Liu X, Liu C, Xu Y, Fu Y, Dong W, Yan Y, Wang W, Qian C. AKT inhibitor AZD5363 suppresses stemness and promotes anti-cancer activity of 3,3'-diindolylmethane in human breast cancer cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 429:115700. [PMID: 34464674 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) is a dimer compound converted from Indoly-3-carbinol that had been studied as promising chemo-preventive agent against breast cancer. In this study, we observed that proportion of CD133+Nanog+ subpopulation in MCF-7 cells was significantly increased after DIM administration with up-regulated AKT activity by using CyTOF assay. SPADE analysis revealed this stem-like subpopulation exhibited apoptosis-resistance property against DIM treatment. By combining with AKT inhibitor AZD5363, DIM induced CD133 expression could be suppressed. In addition, a combination treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with DIM and AZD5363 showed synergistic decreases in cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, results from imaging flow cytometry suggested that FoxO3a nuclear localization and PUMA expression could be improved by combination of AZD5363 with DIM. Taken together, the above observations suggested that the combination of AZD5363 with DIM could be developed as potential therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Zhu
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Chunxiao Liu
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yuting Xu
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yingqiang Fu
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yadong Yan
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Cheng Qian
- Department of breast cancer surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China; North China Translational Medicine Research Center of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China.
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21
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Cui X, Liu R, Duan L, Cao D, Zhang Q, Zhang A. CAR-T therapy: Prospects in targeting cancer stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9891-9904. [PMID: 34585512 PMCID: PMC8572776 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a group of tumour cells with stem cell characteristics, have the ability of self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation and tumour formation. Since CSCs are resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, their existence may be one of the root causes of cancer treatment failure and tumour progression. The elimination of CSCs may be effective for eventual tumour eradication. Because of the good therapeutic effects without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction and the unique characteristics of CSCs, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is expected to be an important method to eliminate CSCs. In this review, we have discussed the feasibility of CSCs-targeted CAR-T therapy for cancer treatment, summarized current research and clinical trials of targeting CSCs with CAR-T cells and forecasted the challenges and future direction from the perspectives of toxicity, persistence and potency, trafficking, infiltration, immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, and tumour heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Cui
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Lian Duan
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Aijie Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
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22
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Oliveira BSAD, de Assis ACC, Souza NM, Ferreira LFR, Soriano RN, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN. Nanotherapeutic approach to tackle chemotherapeutic resistance of cancer stem cells. Life Sci 2021; 279:119667. [PMID: 34087280 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estimates indicate that cancer will become the leading cause of mortality worldwide in the future. Tumorigenesis is a complex process that involves self-sufficiency in signs of growth, insensitivity to anti-growth signals, prevention of apoptosis, unlimited replication, sustained angiogenesis, tissue invasion, and metastasis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an important role in tumor development and resistance. Here we will approach phenotypic plasticity capacity, highly efficient DNA repair systems, anti-apoptotic machinery, sustained stemness features, interaction with the tumor microenvironment, and Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling pathways. The researches about CSCs as a target in cancer treatment has been growing. Many different options have pointed beneficial results, such as pathways and CSC-surface markers targeting. Besides its limitations, nanotherapeutics have emerged as a potential strategy in this context since they aim to improve pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and reduce the side effects observed in traditional treatments. Nanoparticles have been studied in this field, mostly for drug delivery and a multitherapy approach. Another widely researched approaches in this area are related to heat therapy, such as photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy and magnetic hyperthermia, besides molecular targeting. This review will contemplate the most relevant studies that have shown the effects of nanotherapeutics. In conclusion, although the studies analyzed are mostly preclinical, we believe that there is strong evidence that nanoparticles can increase the chances of a better prognosis to cancer in the future. It is also essential to transpose these findings to the clinic to confirm and better understand the role of nanotherapeutics in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Stefane Alves de Oliveira
- Undergradute student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Correa de Assis
- Undergradute student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Natália Melo Souza
- Undergradute student, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG 35032-620, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Romanholo Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Process Engineering, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Renato Nery Soriano
- Division of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Basic Life Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG 35010-177, Brazil
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China.
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
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23
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Turner KM, Yeo SK, Holm TM, Shaughnessy E, Guan JL. Heterogeneity within molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 321:C343-C354. [PMID: 34191627 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00109.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the quintessential example of how molecular characterization of tumor biology guides therapeutic decisions. From the discovery of the estrogen receptor to current clinical molecular profiles to evolving single-cell analytics, the characterization and compartmentalization of breast cancer into divergent subtypes is clear. However, competing with this divergent model of breast cancer is the recognition of intratumoral heterogeneity, which acknowledges the possibility that multiple different subtypes exist within a single tumor. Intratumoral heterogeneity is driven by both intrinsic effects of the tumor cells themselves as well as extrinsic effects from the surrounding microenvironment. There is emerging evidence that these intratumoral molecular subtypes are not static; rather, plasticity between divergent subtypes is possible. Interconversion between seemingly different subtypes within a tumor drives tumor progression, metastases, and treatment resistance. Therapeutic strategies must, therefore, contend with changing phenotypes in an individual patient's tumor. Identifying targetable drivers of molecular heterogeneity may improve treatment durability and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Turner
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Syn Kok Yeo
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tammy M Holm
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Elizabeth Shaughnessy
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jun-Lin Guan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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24
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3D Multicellular Stem-Like Human Breast Tumor Spheroids Enhance Tumorigenicity of Orthotopic Xenografts in Athymic Nude Rat Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112784. [PMID: 34205080 PMCID: PMC8199968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer presents a unique clinical problem because of the variety of cellular subtypes present, including cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast CSCs can induce the formation of new blood vessels at the site of tumor growth and a develop metastatic phenotype by enhancing a stromal cell response, similar to that of the primary breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate breast cancer cells cultured in stromal stem cell factor-supplemented media to generate 3D spheroids that exhibit increased stem-like properties. These 3D stem-like spheroids reproducibly and efficiently established orthotopic breast cancer xenografts in the athymic nude rat. This approach enables a means to develop orthotopic tumors with a stem-like phenotype in a larger athymic rat rodent model of human breast cancer. Abstract Therapeutic targeting of stem cells needs to be strategically developed to control tumor growth and prevent metastatic burden successfully. Breast cancer presents a unique clinical problem because of the variety of cellular subtypes present, including cancer stem cells (CSCs). The development of 3D stem-like properties of human breast tumor spheroids in stem cell factor conditioned media was investigated in orthotopic xenografts for enhanced tumorgenicity in the athymic nude rat model. MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines were cultured in serum-free, stem cell factor-supplemented medium under non-adherent conditions and passaged to generate 3rd generation spheroids. The spheroids were co-cultured with fetal lung fibroblast (FLF) cells before orthotopic heterotransplantation into the mammary fat pads of athymic nude rats. Excised xenografts were assessed histologically by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry for breast cancer marker (ERB1), proliferation marker (Ki67), mitotic marker (pHH3), hypoxia marker (HIF-2α), CSC markers (CD47, CD44, CD24, and CD133), and vascularization markers (CD31, CD34). Breast cancer cells cultured in stem cell factor supplemented medium generated 3D spheroids exhibited increased stem-like characteristics. The 3D stem-like spheroids co-cultured with FLF as supporting stroma reproducibly and efficiently established orthotopic breast cancer xenografts in the athymic nude rat.
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25
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Mohan A, Raj R R, Mohan G, K P P, Thomas Maliekal T. Reporters of Cancer Stem Cells as a Tool for Drug Discovery. Front Oncol 2021; 11:669250. [PMID: 33968778 PMCID: PMC8100607 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.669250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In view of the importance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in chemoresistance, metastasis and recurrence, the biology of CSCs were explored in detail. Based on that, several modalities were proposed to target them. In spite of the several clinical trials, a successful CSC-targeting drug is yet to be identified. The number of molecules screened and entered for clinical trial for CSC-targeting is comparatively low, compared to other drugs. The bottle neck is the lack of a high-throughput adaptable screening strategy for CSCs. This review is aimed to identify suitable reporters for CSCs that can be used to identify the heterogeneous CSC populations, including quiescent CSCs, proliferative CSCs, drug resistant CSCs and metastatic CSCs. Analysis of the tumor microenvironment regulating CSCs revealed that the factors in CSC-niche activates effector molecules that function as CSC markers, including pluripotency markers, CD133, ABCG2 and ALDH1A1. Among these factors OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, ABCG2 and ALDH1A1 are ideal for making reporters for CSCs. The pluripotency molecules, like OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG, regulate self-renewal, chemoresistance and metastasis. ABCG2 is a known regulator of drug resistance while ALDH1A1 modulates self-renewal, chemoresistance and metastasis. Considering the heterogeneity of CSCs, including a quiescent population and a proliferative population with metastatic ability, we propose the use of a combination of reporters. A dual reporter consisting of a pluripotency marker and a marker like ALDH1A1 will be useful in screening drugs that target CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Centre for Doctoral Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Reshma Raj R
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gayathri Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Padmaja K P
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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26
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Sukocheva OA, Hu DG, Meech R, Bishayee A. Divergence of Intracellular Trafficking of Sphingosine Kinase 1 and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 3 in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and MCF-7-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Mammospheres. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094314. [PMID: 33919234 PMCID: PMC8122545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094314] [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: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer MCF-7 cell-line-derived mammospheres were shown to be enriched in cells with a CD44+/CD24- surface profile, consistent with breast cancer stem cells (BCSC). These BCSC were previously reported to express key sphingolipid signaling effectors, including pro-oncogenic sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1P3). In this study, we explored intracellular trafficking and localization of SphK1 and S1P3 in parental MCF-7 cells, and MCF-7 derived BCSC-enriched mammospheres treated with growth- or apoptosis-stimulating agents. Intracellular trafficking and localization were assessed using confocal microscopy and cell fractionation, while CD44+/CD24- marker status was confirmed by flow cytometry. Mammospheres expressed significantly higher levels of S1P3 compared to parental MCF-7 cells (p < 0.01). Growth-promoting agents (S1P and estrogen) induced SphK1 and S1P3 translocation from cytoplasm to nuclei, which may facilitate the involvement of SphK1 and S1P3 in gene regulation. In contrast, pro-apoptotic cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-treated MCF-7 cells demonstrated increased apoptosis and no nuclear localization of SphK1 and S1P3, suggesting that TNFα can inhibit nuclear translocation of SphK1 and S1P3. TNFα inhibited mammosphere formation and induced S1P3 internalization and degradation. No nuclear translocation of S1P3 was detected in TNFα-stimulated mammospheres. Notably, SphK1 and S1P3 expression and localization were highly heterogenous in mammospheres, suggesting the potential for a large variety of responses. The findings provide further insights into the understanding of sphingolipid signaling and intracellular trafficking in BCs. Our data indicates that the inhibition of SphK1 and S1P3 nuclear translocation represents a novel method to prevent BCSCs proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A. Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
- Correspondence: (O.A.S.); or (A.B.)
| | - Dong Gui Hu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia; (D.G.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Robyn Meech
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia; (D.G.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
- Correspondence: (O.A.S.); or (A.B.)
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27
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Pourbagher R, Ghorbani H, Akhavan-Niaki H, Jorsaraei SGA, Fattahi S, Ghooran S, Abedian Z, Ghasemi M, Saeedi F, Jafari N, Kalali B, Mostafazadeh A. Downregulation of Stemness Genes and Induction of Necrosis in Rat LA7 Cancer Stem Cells Induced Tumors Treated with Starved Fibroblasts Culture Supernatant. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 10:105-118. [PMID: 34277874 PMCID: PMC8279721 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.10.1.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem cell differentiation therapy is a promising strategy in cancer treatment. we show that protein cocktail prepared from serum starved fibroblasts has therapeutic potential based on this strategy. METHODS The condition medium was prepared from foreskin isolated fibroblasts and analyzed by Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). LA7 mammary gland cancer stem cells originated tumors were induced in Sprague Dawley rats. The rats treated subcutaneously with DMEM (group A), condition medium (group B), or normal saline (group C) once daily for 7 days. Then the tumors were removed and divided into the two parts, one part was used to quantify gene expression by stem-loop RT-qPCR assay and the other part was used for Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E), Giemsa, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. RESULTS All induced tumors appeared as sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC). Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed this conclusion by recognizing the tumor as Ki67+, cytokeratin+, vimentine+, and estrogen receptor negative SC. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that Oct4-, Sox-2, Nanog- gene expression was much reduced in the condition medium treated tumors versus proper controls (p< 0.05). Tissue necrosis was more prevalent in this group while tumors volume was diminished almost by 40%. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis unrevealed the stemness reducing and the cell death inducing proteins such as, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), insulin like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) and -7 (IGFBP-7) in the condition medium. CONCLUSION This study showed that the substances released from starved human fibroblasts were able to down-regulate the stemness-related genes and induce necrosis in LA7 derived tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Pourbagher
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Hossein Ghorbani
- Department of Pathology, Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Seyed Gholam Ali Jorsaraei
- Fatemeh Zahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Sadegh Fattahi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Sahar Ghooran
- Department of Pathology, Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Zeinab Abedian
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Dental Materials Research Center, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Masoumeh Ghasemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Saeedi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Negar Jafari
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Behnam Kalali
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - Amrollah Mostafazadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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28
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Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Critical roles in breast tumor microenvironment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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29
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Lv L, Shi Y, Wu J, Li G. Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems for Breast Cancer Stem Cell Targeting. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:1487-1508. [PMID: 33654398 PMCID: PMC7914063 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s282110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), also known as breast cancer initiating cells, are reported to be responsible for the initiation, progression, therapeutic resistance, and relapse of breast cancer. Conventional therapeutic agents mainly kill the bulk of breast tumor cells and fail to eliminate BCSCs, even enhancing the fraction of BCSCs in breast tumors sometimes. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific and effective methods of eliminating BCSCs that will enhance the efficacy of killing breast tumor cells and thereby, increase the survival rates and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Despite the availability of an increasing number of anti-BCSC agents, their clinical translations are hindered by many issues, such as instability, low bioavailability, and off-target effects. Nanosized drug delivery systems (NDDSs) have the potential to overcome the drawbacks of anti-BCSC agents by providing site-specific delivery and enhancing of the stability and bioavailability of the delivered agents. In this review, we first briefly introduce the strategies and agents used against BCSCs and then highlight the mechanism of action and therapeutic efficacy of several state-of-the-art NDDSs that can be used to treat breast cancer by eliminating BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pharmacy, Zengcheng District People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guocheng Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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30
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The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A New In Vivo Tool to Evaluate Breast Cancer Stem Cell Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010334. [PMID: 33396951 PMCID: PMC7795925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The high plasticity of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) allows them to differentiate and proliferate, specifically when xenotransplanted subcutaneously into immunocompromised mice. CSCs are highly tumorigenic, even when inoculated in small numbers. Thus, in vivo limiting dilution assays (LDA) in mice are the current gold standard method to evaluate CSC enrichment and activity. The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a low cost, naturally immune-incompetent and reproducible model widely used to evaluate the spontaneous growth of human tumor cells. Here, we established a CAM-LDA assay able to rapidly reproduce tumor specificities—in particular, the ability of the small population of CSCs to form tumors. We used a panel of organotropic metastatic breast cancer cells, which show an enrichment in a stem cell gene signature, enhanced CD44+/CD24−/low cell surface expression and increased mammosphere-forming efficiency (MFE). The size of CAM-xenografted tumors correlate with the number of inoculated cancer cells, following mice xenograft growth pattern. CAM and mice tumors are histologically comparable, displaying both breast CSC markers CD44 and CD49f. Therefore, we propose a new tool for studying CSC prevalence and function—the chick CAM-LDA—a model with easy handling, accessibility, rapid growth and the absence of ethical and regulatory constraints.
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31
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Sun Y, Wang Z, Na L, Dong D, Wang W, Zhao C. FZD5 contributes to TNBC proliferation, DNA damage repair and stemness. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1060. [PMID: 33311446 PMCID: PMC7733599 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03282-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently remains the standard treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, TNBC frequently develop chemoresistance, which is responsible for cancer recurrence and distal metastasis. Both DNA damage repair and stemness are related to chemoresistance. FZD5, a member in Frizzled family, was identified to be preferentially expressed in TNBC, and associated with unfavorable prognosis. Loss and gain of function studies revealed that FZD5 contributed to TNBC cell G1/S transition, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, survival, and stemness. Mechanistically, transcription factor FOXM1, which promoted BRCA1 and BIRC5 transcription, acted as a downstream effecter of FZD5 signaling. FOXM1 overexpression in FZD5-deficient/low TNBC cells induced FZD5-associated phenotype. Finally, Wnt7B, a specific ligand for FZD5, was shown to be involved in cell proliferation, DNA damage repair, and stemness. Taken together, FZD5 is a novel target for the development of therapeutic strategies to overcome chemoresistance and prevent recurrence in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lei Na
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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32
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Zeng X, Liu C, Yao J, Wan H, Wan G, Li Y, Chen N. Breast cancer stem cells, heterogeneity, targeting therapies and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2020; 163:105320. [PMID: 33271295 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Both hereditary and sporadic breast cancer are suggested to develop from a stem cell subcomponent retaining most key stem cell properties but with dysregulation of self-renewal pathways, which drives tumorigenic differentiation and cellular heterogeneity. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), characterized by their self-renewal and differentiation potential, have been reported to contribute to chemo-/radio-resistance and tumor initiation and to be the main reason for the failure of current therapies in breast cancer and other CSC-bearing cancers. Thus, CSC-targeted therapies, such as those inducing CSC apoptosis and differentiation, inhibiting CSC self-renewal and division, and targeting the CSC niche to combat CSC activity, are needed and may become an important component of multimodal treatment. To date, the understanding of breast cancer has been extended by advances in CSC biology, providing more accurate prognostic and predictive information upon diagnosis. Recent improvements have enhanced the prospect of targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which has shown promise for increasing the breast cancer remission rate. However, targeted therapy for breast cancer remains challenging due to tumor heterogeneity. One major challenge is determining the CSC properties that can be exploited as therapeutic targets. Another challenge is identifying suitable BCSC biomarkers to assess the efficacy of novel BCSC-targeted therapies. This review focuses mainly on the characteristics of BCSCs and the roles of BCSCs in the formation, maintenance and recurrence of breast cancer; self-renewal signaling pathways in BCSCs; the BCSC microenvironment; potential therapeutic targets related to BCSCs; and current therapies and clinical trials targeting BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zeng
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Medicine School of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518037, PR China
| | - Chengxiao Liu
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China
| | - Jie Yao
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China
| | - Haoqiang Wan
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Medicine School of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518037, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, (Longhua Branch), Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518120, PR China
| | - Guoqing Wan
- Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201318, PR China
| | - Yingpeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, (Longhua Branch), Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518120, PR China.
| | - Nianhong Chen
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Department of Cell Biology & University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, 10065, USA.
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AXL Receptor in Breast Cancer: Molecular Involvement and Therapeutic Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228419. [PMID: 33182542 PMCID: PMC7696061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer was one of the first malignancies to benefit from targeted therapy, i.e., treatments directed against specific markers. Inhibitors against HER2 are a significant example and they improved the life expectancy of a large cohort of patients. Research on new biomarkers, therefore, is always current and important. AXL, a member of the TYRO-3, AXL and MER (TAM) subfamily, is, today, considered a predictive and prognostic biomarker in many tumor contexts, primarily breast cancer. Its oncogenic implications make it an ideal target for the development of new pharmacological agents; moreover, its recent role as immune-modulator makes AXL particularly attractive to researchers involved in the study of interactions between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these peculiarities characterize AXL as compared to other members of the TAM family. In this review, we will illustrate the biological role played by AXL in breast tumor cells, highlighting its molecular and biological features, its involvement in tumor progression and its implication as a target in ongoing clinical trials.
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Hu Q, Yuan Y, Wu Y, Huang Y, Zhao Z, Xiao C. MicroRNA‑137 exerts protective effects on hypoxia‑induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy/mitophagy and maintaining mitochondrial function in breast cancer stem‑like cells. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:1627-1637. [PMID: 32945512 PMCID: PMC7448477 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem‑like cells (BCSCs) have been identified and proven to play critical roles in tumorigenesis and progression. Hypoxia is a common pathologic feature of breast cancer and potentially, at least in part, regulates the initiation, progression, and recurrence of breast cancer. However, less is known about how hypoxia regulates BCSCs. As several well‑known microRNAs respond to hypoxia, we aimed to determine how hypoxia regulates the physiological processes of BCSCs by regulating the corresponding microRNAs. As expected, microRNA‑137 (miRNA‑137 or miR‑137) was downregulated upon hypoxic exposure, indicating that it may play critical roles in BCSCs. Introduction of miR‑137 mimics promoted cell cycle entry and inhibited hypoxia‑induced cell apoptosis as determined by cell cycle assay and apoptosis assay. By detecting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), it was found that miR‑137 inhibited ROS accumulation induced by hypoxic exposure and thus suppressed cell apoptosis. Introduction of miR‑137 mimics under hypoxia inhibited mitophagy/autophagy by targeting FUN14 domain containing 1 (Fundc1) and thus promoted mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial mass, ATP synthesis and mitochondrial transcriptional activity, which was similar to the effects of Fundc1 knockdown by specific siRNA. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that the survival of BCSCs under hypoxia was mediated by miR‑137 by regulating mitochondrial dysfunction. We demonstrated here that the introduction of exogenous miR‑137 promoted mitochondrial function, indicating that it may be a potential therapeutic target in BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongying Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yun Yuan
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yeke Wu
- Department of Stomatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yongliang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Chong Xiao
- Teaching and Research Office of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
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Gao Y, Tang M, Leung E, Svirskis D, Shelling A, Wu Z. Dual or multiple drug loaded nanoparticles to target breast cancer stem cells. RSC Adv 2020; 10:19089-19105. [PMID: 35518295 PMCID: PMC9054075 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra02801k] [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: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem(-like) cells (BCSCs) have been found to be responsible for therapeutic resistance and disease relapse. BCSCs are difficult to eradicate due to their high resistance to conventional treatments and high plasticity. Functionalised nanoparticles have been investigated as smart vehicles to transport across various barriers and increase the interaction of therapeutic agents with cancer cells, as well as BCSCs. In this review, we discuss the different characteristics of BCSCs, and challenges to tackle BCSCs at cellular and molecular levels. The mechanisms of action and physicochemical properties of the current BCSC targeting agents are also covered. We will focus on the rational design and recent advances of "Nano + Nano" or single tumour targeting nanoparticle systems loaded with dual or multiple agents to kill all cancer cells including BCSCs. These cocktail therapies include the combination of a chemotherapy agent with a BCSC-specific inhibitor, a phytochemical agent or RNA based therapy. Given the heterogeneity of breast tumour tissue, targeting both BCSCs and bulk breast cancer cells simultaneously with multiple agents holds great promise in eliminating breast cancer. The future research needs to focus on overcoming various barriers in the 'clinical translation' of BCSC-targeting nanomedicines to cure breast cancer, which requires a significant multidisciplinary effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland 1142 New Zealand +64-9-9231709
| | - Mingtan Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland 1142 New Zealand +64-9-9231709
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland 1023 New Zealand
| | - Darren Svirskis
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland 1142 New Zealand +64-9-9231709
| | - Andrew Shelling
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland Auckland 1142 New Zealand
| | - Zimei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland 1142 New Zealand +64-9-9231709
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Chiodi I, Mondello C. Life style factors, tumor cell plasticity and cancer stem cells. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2020; 784:108308. [PMID: 32430096 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2020.108308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancers are heterogeneous tissues and a layer of heterogeneity is determined by the presence of cells showing stemness traits, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Evidence indicates that CSCs are important players in tumor development, progression and relapse. Oncogenic transformation of normal stem cells can give rise to CSCs, but CSCs can also originate from de-differentiation of bulk tumor cells. Thus, factors promoting the increase of normal stem cell pools or stimulating the acquisition of stemness features by tumor cells can have serious consequences on cancer origin and progression. In this review, we will first give an overview of the CSC model of cancer development and we will then discuss the role of life style factors, such as high caloric diet, alcohol drinking and smoking, on the widening of stem cell pools and the induction of CSC features in tumors. Finally, we will discuss some healthy life style factors that can help to prevent cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Chiodi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare L. L. Cavalli-Sforza, CNR, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Mondello
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare L. L. Cavalli-Sforza, CNR, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Muley H, Fadó R, Rodríguez-Rodríguez R, Casals N. Drug uptake-based chemoresistance in breast cancer treatment. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113959. [PMID: 32272110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of tumor and the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women. Although screening methods, diagnosis and therapeutic options have improved in the last decade, chemoresistance remains an important challenge. There is evidence relating breast cancer resistance with signaling pathways involving hormone and growth receptors, survival, apoptosis and the activation of efflux pumps. However, the resistance mechanisms linked to drug uptake are poorly understood, despite it often being observed that the drug content is lower in resistant cancer cells and that the entry of the drug into these cells is a limiting process for the subsequent therapeutic effect.In this review, we provide an overview of drug uptake-based resistance mechanisms developed by cancer cells in the four main types of chemotherapy used in breast cancer: anthracyclines, taxanes, oxazaphosphorines and platinum-based drugs. The contribution of tumor microenvironment to reduced drug-uptake and multidrug resistance is also analyzed. As a developing field, nanomedicine-based approaches provide promising opportunities to improve drug specific targeting, cell interaction and uptake into cancer cells. The endocytic-mediated pathways attributed to the different types of nanoformulations as well as the contribution of nanotherapeutics to overcoming chemoresistance affecting drug uptake in breast cancer will be described. New approaches focusing on drug uptake mechanisms could improve breast cancer chemotherapy, obtaining better dose-response outcomes and reducing toxic side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Muley
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Rut Fadó
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Rosalía Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Núria Casals
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, E-28029 Madrid, Spain.
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38
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Shen Y, Peng X, Shen C. Identification and validation of immune-related lncRNA prognostic signature for breast cancer. Genomics 2020; 112:2640-2646. [PMID: 32087243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with breast cancer is closely related to both the infiltration of immune cells and the expression of lncRNAs. In this study, we evaluated the infiltration of immune cells in 1109 breast cancer samples obtained from TCGA by applying the ssGSEA to the transcriptome of these samples, thereby generating high immune cell infiltration group and low immune cell infiltration group. On the basis of these groupings, we found 696 differentially expressed lncRNAs which were sequentially subjected to univariate Cox regression and stepwise multiple Cox regression analysis. 11 lncRNAs were identified as prognostic signature for breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and ROC analyses further revealed that this 11-lncRNA signature was a novel and important prognostic factor independent of multiple clinicopathological parameters. The TIMER database showed that this 11-lncRNA prognostic signature for breast cancer was associated with the infiltration of immune cell subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Shen
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009 Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Peng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009 Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanlu Shen
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009 Nanjing, China.
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Sousa B, Pereira J, Paredes J. The Crosstalk Between Cell Adhesion and Cancer Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1933. [PMID: 31010154 PMCID: PMC6515343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells preferentially use aerobic glycolysis over mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation for energy production, and this metabolic reprogramming is currently recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Oncogenic signaling frequently converges with this metabolic shift, increasing cancer cells' ability to produce building blocks and energy, as well as to maintain redox homeostasis. Alterations in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion promote cancer cell invasion, intravasation, anchorage-independent survival in circulation, and extravasation, as well as homing in a distant organ. Importantly, during this multi-step metastatic process, cells need to induce metabolic rewiring, in order to produce the energy needed, as well as to impair oxidative stress. Although the individual implications of adhesion molecules and metabolic reprogramming in cancer have been widely explored over the years, the crosstalk between cell adhesion molecular machinery and metabolic pathways is far from being clearly understood, in both normal and cancer contexts. This review summarizes our understanding about the influence of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in the metabolic behavior of cancer cells, with a special focus concerning the role of classical cadherins, such as Epithelial (E)-cadherin and Placental (P)-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Sousa
- Ipatimup-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Pereira
- Ipatimup-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Paredes
- Ipatimup-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
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