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Microbiota-Derived Natural Products Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Inside the Gut Pharma Factory. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054997. [PMID: 36902427 PMCID: PMC10003410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have drawn much attention as important tumour-initiating cells that may also be crucial for recurrence after chemotherapy. Although the activity of CSCs in various forms of cancer is complex and yet to be fully elucidated, opportunities for therapies targeting CSCs exist. CSCs are molecularly distinct from bulk tumour cells, so they can be targeted by exploiting their signature molecular pathways. Inhibiting stemness has the potential to reduce the risk posed by CSCs by limiting or eliminating their capacity for tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence. Here, we briefly described the role of CSCs in tumour biology, the mechanisms involved in CSC therapy resistance, and the role of the gut microbiota in cancer development and treatment, to then review and discuss the current advances in the discovery of microbiota-derived natural compounds targeting CSCs. Collectively, our overview suggests that dietary intervention, toward the production of those identified microbial metabolites capable of suppressing CSC properties, is a promising approach to support standard chemotherapy.
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Masola V, Franchi M, Zaza G, Atsina FM, Gambaro G, Onisto M. Heparanase regulates EMT and cancer stem cell properties in prostate tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:918419. [PMID: 35965510 PMCID: PMC9363836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.918419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer displays a certain phenotypic plasticity that allows for the transition of cells from the epithelial to the mesenchymal state. This process, known as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), is one of the factors that give the tumor cells greater invasive and migratory capacity with subsequent formation of metastases. In addition, many cancers, including prostate cancer, are derived from a cell population that shows the properties of stem cells. These cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells, not only initiate the tumor process and growth but are also able to mediate metastasis and drug resistance. However, the impact of EMT and CSCs in prostate cancer progression and patient survival is still far from fully understood. Heparanase (HPSE), the sole mammalian endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparan sulfate (HS), is also involved in prostate cancer progression. We had previously proved that HPSE regulates EMT in non-cancerous pathologies. Two prostate cancer cell lines (DU145 and PC3) were silenced and overexpressed for HPSE. Expression of EMT and stemness markers was evaluated. Results showed that the expression of several EMT markers are modified by HPSE expression in both the prostate cancer cell lines analyzed. In the same way, the stemness markers and features are also modulated by HPSE expression. Taken together, the present findings seem to prove a new mechanism of action of HPSE in sustaining prostate cancer growth and diffusion. As for other tumors, these results highlight the importance of HPSE as a potential pharmacological target in prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Masola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maurizio Onisto, ; Valentina Masola,
| | - Marco Franchi
- Department of Life Quality Sciences, University of Bologna, Rimini, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Zaza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Gambaro
- Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Onisto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Maurizio Onisto, ; Valentina Masola,
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Wang Y, Gao W, Li Y, Chow ST, Xie W, Zhang X, Zhou J, Chan FL. Interplay between orphan nuclear receptors and androgen receptor-dependent or-independent growth signalings in prostate cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 78:100921. [PMID: 33121737 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is well-established that both the initial and advanced growth of prostate cancer depends critically on androgens and thus on the activated androgen receptor (AR) -mediated signaling pathway. The unique hormone-dependent feature of prostate cancer forms the biological basis of hormone or androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) that aims to suppress the AR signaling by androgen depletion or AR antagonists. ADT still remains the mainstay treatment option for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. However, most patients upon ADT will inevitably develop therapy-resistance and progress to relapse in the form of castration-resistant disease (castration-resistant prostate cancer or CRPC) or even a more aggressive androgen-independent subtype (therapy-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer or NEPC). Recent advances show that besides AR, some ligand-independent members of nuclear receptor superfamily-designated as orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs), as their endogenous physiological ligands are either absent or not yet identified to date, also play significant roles in the growth regulation of prostate cancer via multiple AR-dependent or -independent (AR-bypass) pathways or mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the newly elucidated roles of ONRs in prostate cancer, with a focus on their interplay in the AR-dependent pathways (intratumoral androgen biosynthesis and suppression of AR signaling) and AR-independent pathways or cellular processes (hypoxia, oncogene- or tumor suppressor-induced senescence, apoptosis and regulation of prostate cancer stem cells). These ONRs with their newly characterized roles not only can serve as novel biomarkers but also as potential therapeutic targets for management of advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Weijie Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Youjia Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sin Ting Chow
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenjuan Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianfu Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510370, China
| | - Franky Leung Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Usui T, Sakurai M, Nishikawa S, Umata K, Nemoto Y, Haraguchi T, Itamoto K, Mizuno T, Noguchi S, Mori T, Iwai S, Nakagawa T, Yamawaki H, Ohama T, Sato K. Establishment of a dog primary prostate cancer organoid using the urine cancer stem cells. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:2383-2392. [PMID: 29024204 PMCID: PMC5715251 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog spontaneously develop prostate cancer (PC) like humans. Because most dogs with PC have a poor prognosis, they could be used as a translational model for advanced PC in humans. Stem cell‐derived 3‐D organoid culture could recapitulate organ structures and physiology. Using patient tissues, a human PC organoid culture system was established. Recent study has shown that urine cells also possess the characteristic of stem cells. However, urine cell‐derived PC organoids have never been produced. Therefore, we generated PC organoids using the dog urine samples. Urine organoids were successfully generated from each dog with PC. Each organoid showed cystic structures and resembled the epithelial structures of original tissues. Expression of an epithelial cell marker, E‐cadherin, and a myofibloblast marker, α‐SMA, was observed in the urine organoids. The organoids also expressed a basal cell marker, CK5, and a luminal cell marker, CK8. CD49f‐sorted basal cell organoids rapidly grew compared with CD24‐sorted luminal cell organoids. The population of CD44‐positive cells was the highest in both organoids and the original urine cells. Tumors were successfully formed with the injection of the organoids into immunodeficient mice. Treatment with a microtubule inhibitor, docetaxel, but not a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, piroxicam, and an mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, decreased the cell viability of organoids. Treatment with a Hedgehog signal inhibitor, GANT61, increased the radiosensitivity in the organoids. These findings revealed that PC organoids using urine might become a useful tool for investigating the mechanisms of the pathogenesis and treatment of PC in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Usui
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Sakurai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shimpei Nishikawa
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Koji Umata
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yuki Nemoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Tomoya Haraguchi
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Itamoto
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Takuya Mizuno
- Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Noguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Mori
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satomi Iwai
- Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery 2, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yamawaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Koichi Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-KIT signalling in testis and prostate cancer. J Cell Commun Signal 2017; 11:297-307. [PMID: 28656507 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0399-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The stem cell factor (SCF) is a cytokine that specifically binds the tyrosine kinase receptor c-KIT. The SCF/c-KIT interaction leads to receptor dimerization, activation of kinase activity and initiation of several signal transduction pathways that control cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration in several tissues. The activity of SCF/c-KIT system is linked with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), the Src, the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), the phospholipase-C (PLC-γ) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Moreover, it has been reported that cancer cases display an overactivation of c-KIT due to the presence of gain-of-function mutations or receptor overexpression, which renders c-KIT a tempting target for cancer treatment. In the case of male cancers the most documented activated pathways are the PI3-K and Src, both enhancing abnormal cell proliferation. It is also known that the Src activity in prostate cancer cases depends on the presence of tr-KIT, the cytoplasmic truncated variant of c-KIT that is specifically expressed in tumour tissues and, thus, a very interesting target for drug development. The present review provides an overview of the signalling pathways activated by SCF/c-KIT and discusses the potential application of c-KIT inhibitors for treatment of testicular and prostatic cancers.
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Zhang K, Guo Y, Wang X, Zhao H, Ji Z, Cheng C, Li L, Fang Y, Xu D, Zhu HH, Gao WQ. WNT/β-Catenin Directs Self-Renewal Symmetric Cell Division of hTERThigh Prostate Cancer Stem Cells. Cancer Res 2017; 77:2534-2547. [PMID: 28209613 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-1887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanjing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongzhong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaping Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxiang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Haematology and Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen He Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai, China
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