Tumor microenvironment promotes breast cancer chemoresistance

Tumor microenvironment: A playground for cells from multiple diverse origins

Tumor microenvironment is formed by various cellular and non-cellular components which interact with one another and form a complex network of interactions. Some of these cellular components also attain a secretory phenotype and release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines etc. in the surroundings which are capable of inducing even greater number of signalling networks. All these interactions play a decisive role in determining the course of tumorigenesis. The treatment strategies against cancer also exert their impact on the local microenvironment. Such interactions and anticancer therapies have been found to induce more deleterious outcomes like immunosuppression and chemoresistance in the process of tumor progression. Hence, understanding the tumor microenvironment is crucial for dealing with cancer and chemoresistance. This review is an attempt to develop some understanding about the tumor microenvironment and different factors which modulate it, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis. Along with summarising the major components of tumor microenvironment and various interactions taking place between them, it also throws some light on how the existing and potential therapies exert their impact on these dynamics.

Quality of life and survival analyses of breast cancer cases treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of tumor-related mortality after lung cancer. Chemotherapy resistance remains a major challenge to progress in BC treatment, warranting further exploration of feasible and effective alternative therapies.

AIM

To analyzed the quality of life (QoL) and survival of patients with BC treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (TCM-WM).

METHODS

This study included 226 patients with BC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2018 and February 2023, including 100 who received conventional Western medicine treatment (control group) and 126 who received TCM-WM treatment (research group). The total effective rate, side effects (alopecia, nausea and vomiting, hepatorenal toxicity, and myelosuppression), QoL assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), 1-year overall survival (OS), recurrence and metastasis rates, and serum inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha] were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

The research group showed statistically better overall efficacy, EORTC QoL-C30 scores, and 1-year OS than the control group, with markedly lower side effects and 1-year recurrence and metastasis rates. Moreover, the posttreatment levels of serum inflammatory in the research group were significantly lower than the baseline and those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Overall, TCM-WM demonstrated significantly improved therapeutic efficacy while ensuring drug safety in BC, which not only improved patients' QoL and prolonged survival, but also significantly inhibited the inflammatory response.

Plasma Metabolome Signatures to Predict Responsiveness to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has arisen as a treatment option for breast cancer (BC). However, the response to NACT is still unpredictable and dependent on cancer subtype. Metabolomics is a tool for predicting biomarkers and chemotherapy response. We used plasma to verify metabolomic alterations in BC before NACT, relating to clinical data.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was performed on pre-NACT plasma from patients with BC (n = 75). After data filtering, an SVM model for classification was built and validated with 75%/25% of the data, respectively.

RESULTS

The model composed of 19 identified metabolites effectively predicted NACT response for training/validation sets with high sensitivity (95.4%/93.3%), specificity (91.6%/100.0%), and accuracy (94.6%/94.7%). In both sets, the panel correctly classified 95% of resistant and 94% of sensitive females. Most compounds identified by the model were lipids and amino acids and revealed pathway alterations related to chemoresistance.

CONCLUSION

We developed a model for predicting patient response to NACT. These metabolite panels allow clinical gain by building precision medicine strategies based on tumor stratification.

A distinct subset of urothelial cells with enhanced EMT features promotes chemotherapy resistance and cancer recurrence by increasing COL4A1-ITGB1 mediated angiogenesis

Drug resistance and tumor recurrence remain clinical challenges in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing and identified a subset of urothelial cells with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features (EMT-UC), which is significantly correlated with chemotherapy resistance and cancer recurrence. To validate the clinical significance of EMT-UC, we constructed EMT-UC like cells by introducing overexpression of two markers, Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and Desmin (DES), and examined their histological distribution characteristics and malignant phenotypes. EMT-UC like cells were mainly enriched in UC tissues from patients with adverse prognosis and exhibited significantly elevated EMT, migration and gemcitabine tolerance in vitro. However, EMT-UC was not specifically identified from tumorous tissues, certain proportion of them were also identified in adjacent normal tissues. Tumorous EMT-UC highly expressed genes involved in malignant behaviors and exhibited adverse prognosis. Additionally, tumorous EMT-UC was associated with remodeled tumor microenvironment (TME), which exhibited high angiogenic and immunosuppressive potentials compared with the normal counterparts. Furthermore, a specific interaction of COL4A1 and ITGB1 was identified to be highly enriched in tumorous EMT-UC, and in the endothelial component. Targeting the interaction of COL4A1 and ITGB1 with specific antibodies significantly suppressed tumorous angiogenesis and alleviated gemcitabine resistance of UC. Overall, our findings demonstrated that the driven force of chemotherapy resistance and recurrence of UC was EMT-UC mediated COL4A1-ITGB1 interaction, providing a potential target for future UC treatment.

A review concerning the breast cancer-related tumour microenvironment

Breast cancer (BC) is currently the most common malignant tumour in women and one of the leading causes of their death around the world. New and increasingly personalised diagnostic and therapeutic tools have been introduced over the last few decades, along with significant advances regarding the study and knowledge related to BC. The tumour microenvironment (TME) refers to the tumour cell-associated cellular and molecular environment which can influence conditions affecting tumour development and progression. The TME is composed of immune cells, stromal cells, extracellular matrix (ECM) and signalling molecules secreted by these different cell types. Ever deeper understanding of TME composition changes during tumour development and progression will enable new and more innovative therapeutic strategies to become developed for targeting tumours during specific stages of its evolution. This review summarises the role of BC-related TME components and their influence on tumour progression and the development of resistance to therapy. In addition, an account on the modifications in BC-related TME components associated with therapy is given, and the completed or ongoing clinical trials related to this topic are presented.

Assessment and process optimization of high throughput biofabrication of immunocompetent breast cancer model for drug screening applications

Recent advancements in 3D cancer modeling have significantly enhanced our ability to delve into the intricacies of carcinogenesis. Despite the pharmaceutical industry's substantial investment of both capital and time in the drug screening and development pipeline, a concerning trend persists: drug candidates screened on conventional cancer models exhibit a dismal success rate in clinical trials. One pivotal factor contributing to this discrepancy is the absence of drug testing on pathophysiologically biomimetic 3D cancer models during pre-clinical stages. Unfortunately, current manual methods of 3D cancer modeling, such as spheroids and organoids, suffer from limitations in reproducibility and scalability. In our study, we have meticulously developed 3D bioprinted breast cancer model utilizing decellularized adipose tissue-based hydrogel obtained via a detergent-free decellularization method. Our innovative printing techniques allows for rapid, high-throughput fabrication of 3D cancer models in a 96-well plate format, demonstrating unmatched scalability and reproducibility. Moreover, we have conducted extensive validation, showcasing the efficacy of our platform through drug screening assays involving two potent anti-cancer drugs, 5-Fluorouracil and PRIMA-1Met. Notably, our platform facilitates effortless imaging and gene expression analysis, streamlining the evaluation process. In a bid to enhance the relevance of our cancer model, we have introduced a heterogeneous cell population into the DAT-based bioink. Through meticulous optimization and characterization, we have successfully developed a biomimetic immunocompetent breast cancer model, complete with microenvironmental cues and diverse cell populations. This breakthrough paves the way for rapid multiplex drug screening and the development of personalized cancer models, marking a paradigm shift in cancer research and pharmaceutical development.

The G Protein Estrogen Receptor (GPER) is involved in the resistance to the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The cyclin D1-cyclin dependent kinases (CDK)4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with endocrine therapy shows remarkable efficacy in the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless, resistance to palbociclib frequently arises, highlighting the need to identify new targets toward more comprehensive therapeutic strategies in BC patients.

METHODS

BC cell lines resistant to palbociclib were generated and used as a model system. Gene silencing techniques and overexpression experiments, real-time PCR, immunoblotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies as well as cell viability, colony and 3D spheroid formation assays served to evaluate the involvement of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the resistance to palbociclib in BC cells. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to investigate the potential interaction of palbociclib with GPER. Furthermore, BC cells co-cultured with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) isolated from mammary carcinoma, were used to investigate whether GPER signaling may contribute to functional cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment toward palbociclib resistance. Finally, by bioinformatics analyses and k-means clustering on clinical and expression data of large cohorts of BC patients, the clinical significance of novel mediators of palbociclib resistance was explored.

RESULTS

Dissecting the molecular events that characterize ER-positive BC cells resistant to palbociclib, the down-regulation of ERα along with the up-regulation of GPER were found. To evaluate the molecular events involved in the up-regulation of GPER, we determined that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) interacts with the promoter region of GPER and stimulates its expression toward BC cells resistance to palbociclib treatment. Adding further cues to these data, we ascertained that palbociclib does induce pro-inflammatory transcriptional events via GPER signaling in CAFs. Of note, by performing co-culture assays we demonstrated that GPER contributes to the reduced sensitivity to palbociclib also facilitating the functional interaction between BC cells and main components of the tumor microenvironment named CAFs.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our results provide novel insights on the molecular events through which GPER may contribute to palbociclib resistance in BC cells. Additional investigations are warranted in order to assess whether targeting the GPER-mediated interactions between BC cells and CAFs may be useful in more comprehensive therapeutic approaches of BC resistant to palbociclib.

Prognostic Value and Immune Signatures of Anoikis-related Genes in Breast Cancer

From databases of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE42568, transcriptome data of breast cancer patients was obtained. Then, anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) were identified and constructed a risk score system. As a threshold value, the median risk score was used to stratify patients into low-risk and high-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was then conducted to evaluate the prognostic ability of the risk score system, which was validated using GSE7390. Furthermore, we identified potential enrichment of function and tumor immune infiltration in the model. Finally, the biological functions of a risk gene (EPB41L4B) in breast cancer were investigated through in vitro experiments. We constructed a risk score system via 9 prognosis ANRGs (CXCL2, EPB41L4B, SLC7A5, SFRP1, SDC1, BHLHE41, SPINT1, KRT15, and CD24). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that both TCGA-BRCA (training set) and GSE7390 (testing set) patients with high-risk status had significantly worse survival outcomes. In addition, the calibration plots were in good agreement with the prognosis prediction. Breast cancer patients with immunosuppressive microenvironment could be screened using risk groups since risk scores were correlated negatively with ESTIMATE score, tumor-infiltration lymphocytes, immune checkpoints, and chemotactic factors. Furthermore, cellular viability and cell migration of cancerous breast cells were inhibited and apoptosis was promoted by down-regulation of EPB41L4B gene expression. Based on ANRGs, a 9-gene prognostic model could be developed to predict breast cancer prognosis; moreover, patients of the high-risk group were in an immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment.

Enhancing the Inhibition of Breast Cancer Growth Through Synergistic Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment Using Combined Nano-Delivery Systems

Purpose

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, and malignancy is closely linked to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we prepared mixed nano-sized formulations composed of pH-sensitive liposomes (Ber/Ru486@CLPs) and small-sized nano-micelles (Dox@CLGs). These liposomes and nano-micelles were modified by chondroitin sulfate (CS) to selectively target breast cancer cells.

Methods

Ber/Ru486@CLPs and Dox@CLGs were prepared by thin-film dispersion and ethanol injection, respectively. To mimic actual TME, the in vitro "condition medium of fibroblasts + MCF-7" cell model and in vivo "4T1/NIH-3T3" co-implantation mice model were established to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of drugs.

Results

The physicochemical properties showed that Dox@CLGs and Ber/Ru486@CLPs were 28 nm and 100 nm in particle size, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that the mixed formulations significantly improved drug uptake and inhibited cell proliferation and migration. The in vivo anti-tumor studies further confirmed the enhanced anti-tumor capabilities of Dox@CLGs + Ber/Ru486@CLPs, including smaller tumor volumes, weak collagen deposition, and low expression levels of α-SMA and CD31 proteins, leading to a superior anti-tumor effect.

Conclusion

In brief, this combination therapy based on Dox@CLGs and Ber/Ru486@CLPs could effectively inhibit tumor development, which provides a promising approach for the treatment of breast cancer.

Unveiling innovative therapeutic strategies and future trajectories on stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for targeted treatment of breast carcinoma

This comprehensive review delineates the latest advancements in stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems engineered for the targeted treatment of breast carcinoma. The manuscript commences by introducing mammary carcinoma and the current therapeutic methodologies, underscoring the urgency for innovative therapeutic strategies. Subsequently, it elucidates the logic behind the employment of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, which promise targeted drug administration and the minimization of adverse reactions. The review proffers an in-depth analysis of diverse types of stimuli-responsive systems, including thermoresponsive, pH-responsive, and enzyme-responsive nanocarriers. The paramount importance of material choice, biocompatibility, and drug loading strategies in the design of these systems is accentuated. The review explores characterization methodologies for stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and probes preclinical evaluations of their efficacy, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution in mammary carcinoma models. Clinical applications of stimuli-responsive systems, ongoing clinical trials, the potential of combination therapies, and the utility of multifunctional nanocarriers for the co-delivery of assorted drugs and therapies are also discussed. The manuscript addresses the persistent challenge of drug resistance in mammary carcinoma and the potential of stimuli-responsive systems in surmounting it. Regulatory and safety considerations, including FDA guidelines and biocompatibility assessments, are outlined. The review concludes by spotlighting future trajectories and emergent technologies in stimuli-responsive drug delivery, focusing on pioneering approaches, advancements in nanotechnology, and personalized medicine considerations. This review aims to serve as a valuable compendium for researchers and clinicians interested in the development of efficacious and safe stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for the treatment of breast carcinoma.

COL5A1 promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression by activating tumor cell-macrophage crosstalk

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an exceptionally aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Despite the recognized interplay between tumors and tumor-associated macrophages in fostering drug resistance and disease progression, the precise mechanisms leading these interactions remain elusive. Our study revealed that the upregulation of collagen type V alpha 1 (COL5A1) in TNBC tissues, particularly in chemoresistant samples, was closely linked to an unfavorable prognosis. Functional assays unequivocally demonstrated that COL5A1 played a pivotal role in fueling cancer growth, metastasis, and resistance to doxorubicin, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that the cytokine IL-6, produced by COL5A1-overexpressing TNBC cells actively promoted M2 macrophage polarization. In turn, TGFβ from M2 macrophages drived TNBC doxorubicin resistance through the TGFβ/Smad3/COL5A1 signaling pathway, establishing a feedback loop between TNBC cells and macrophages. Mechanistically, COL5A1 interacted with TGM2, inhibiting its K48-linked ubiquitination-mediated degradation, thereby enhancing chemoresistance and increasing IL-6 secretion. In summary, our findings underscored the significant contribution of COL5A1 upregulation to TNBC progression and chemoresistance, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for TNBC.

Pectinose induces cell cycle arrest in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer cells by promoting autophagy through activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway

Breast cancer patients often have a poor prognosis largely due to lack of effective targeted therapy. It is now well established that monosaccharide enhances growth retardation and chemotherapy sensitivity in tumor cells. However, Pectinose whether has capability to restrict the proliferation of tumor cells remain unclear. Here, we report that Pectinose induced cytotoxicity is modulated by autophagy and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cell lines. The proliferation of cells was dramatically inhibited by Pectinose exposure in a dose-dependent manner, which was relevant to cell cycle arrest, as demonstrated by G2/M cell cycle restriction and ectopic expression of Cyclin A, Cyclin B, p21and p27. Mechanistically, we further identified that Pectinose is positively associated with autophagy and the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling in breast cancer. In contrast, 3-Ma or SB203580, the inhibitor of autophagy or p38 MAPK, reversed the efficacy of Pectinose suppressing on breast cancer cell lines proliferation and cell cycle process. Additionally, Pectinose in vivo treatment could significantly inhibit xenograft growth of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings were the first to reveal that Pectinose triggered cell cycle arrest by inducing autophagy through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells,especially in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer.

D-arabinose induces cell cycle arrest by promoting autophagy via p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer

Breast cancer patients often have a poor prognosis largely due to lack of effective targeted therapy. It is now well established that monosaccharide enhances growth retardation and chemotherapy sensitivity in tumor cells. We investigated whether D-arabinose has capability to restrict the proliferation of tumor cells and its mechanism. Here, we report that D-arabinose induced cytotoxicity is modulated by autophagy and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cell lines. The proliferation of cells was evaluated by CCK-8 and Colony formation assay. The distribution of cells in cell cycle phases was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell cycle, autophagy and MAPK signaling related proteins were detected by western blotting. Mouse xenograft model was used to evaluate the efficacy of D-arabinose in vivo. The proliferation of cells was dramatically inhibited by D-arabinose exposure in a dose-dependent manner, which was relevant to cell cycle arrest, as demonstrated by G2/M cell cycle restriction and ectopic expression of cell cycle related proteins. Mechanistically, we further identified that D-arabinose is positively associated with autophagy and the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling in breast cancer. In contrast, 3-Ma or SB203580, the inhibitor of autophagy or p38 MAPK, reversed the efficacy of D-arabinose. Additionally, D-arabinose in vivo treatment could significantly inhibit xenograft growth of breast cancer cells. Our findings were the first to reveal that D-arabinose triggered cell cycle arrest by inducing autophagy through the activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells.

Multiplex Digital Spatial Profiling in Breast Cancer Research: State-of-the-Art Technologies and Applications across the Translational Science Spectrum

While RNA sequencing and multi-omic approaches have significantly advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment, their limitation in preserving critical spatial information has been a notable drawback. This spatial context is essential for understanding cellular interactions and tissue dynamics. Multiplex digital spatial profiling (MDSP) technologies overcome this limitation by enabling the simultaneous analysis of transcriptome and proteome data within the intact spatial architecture of tissues. In breast cancer research, MDSP has emerged as a promising tool, revealing complex biological questions related to disease evolution, identifying biomarkers, and discovering drug targets. This review highlights the potential of MDSP to revolutionize clinical applications, ranging from risk assessment and diagnostics to prognostics, patient monitoring, and the customization of treatment strategies, including clinical trial guidance. We discuss the major MDSP techniques, their applications in breast cancer research, and their integration in clinical practice, addressing both their potential and current limitations. Emphasizing the strategic use of MDSP in risk stratification for women with benign breast disease, we also highlight its transformative potential in reshaping the landscape of breast cancer research and treatment.

Custom-Design of Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Degradable Silica Nanoparticles for Advanced Cancer-Specific Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is crucial in oncology for combating malignant tumors but often encounters obatacles such as severe adverse effects, drug resistance, and biocompatibility issues. The advantages of degradable silica nanoparticles in tumor diagnosis and treatment lie in their ability to target drug delivery, minimizing toxicity to normal tissues while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, their responsiveness to both endogenous and exogenous stimuli opens up new possibilities for integrating multiple treatment modalities. This review scrutinizes the burgeoning utility of degradable silica nanoparticles in combination with chemotherapy and other treatment modalities. Commencing the elucidation of degradable silica synthesis and degradation mechanisms, emphasis is placed on the responsiveness of these materials to endogenous (e.g., pH, redox reactions, hypoxia, and enzymes) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light and high-intensity focused ultrasound). Moreover, this exploration delves into strategies harnessing degradable silica nanoparticles in chemotherapy alone, coupled with radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, gas therapy, immunotherapy, starvation therapy, and chemodynamic therapy, elucidating multimodal synergies. Concluding with an assessment of advances, challenges, and constraints in oncology, despite hurdles, future investigations are anticipated to augment the role of degradable silica in cancer therapy. These insights can serve as a compass for devising more efficacious combined tumor treatment strategies.

Metabolic Heterogeneity and Potential Immunotherapeutic Responses Revealed by Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) exhibits remarkable heterogeneity. However, the transcriptomic heterogeneity of BC at the single-cell level has not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

We acquired BC samples from 14 patients. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), bioinformatic analyses, along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays were carried out.

RESULTS

According to the scRNA-seq results, 10 different cell types were identified. We found that Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) exhibited distinct biological functions and may promote resistance to therapy. Metabolic analysis of tumor cells revealed heterogeneity in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid synthetase reprogramming, which led to chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, patients with multiple metastases and progression were predicted to benefit from immunotherapy based on a heterogeneity analysis of T cells and tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of BC, provide comprehensive insight into the correlation between cancer metabolism and chemotherapy resistance, and enable the prediction of immunotherapy responses based on T-cell heterogeneity.

Integrative analysis revealed a correlation of PIAS family genes expression with prognosis, immunomodulation and chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Protein inhibitor of activated STATs (PIAS) has pleiotropic biological effects, such as protein post-translational modification, transcriptional coregulation and gene editing. It is reported that PIAS family genes are also correlated with immune cells infiltration in cancers that highlights their unnoticed biological role in tumor progression. However, the relationship of their expression with prognosis, immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy in pan-cancer has been rarely reported.

METHODS

The multi-omics data were used to investigate the expression level of PIAS family members in pan-cancer, and the prognostic value of their expression in different tumors was analyzed by univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship of PIAS gene expression with tumor microenvironment, immune infiltrating subtypes, stemness score and drug sensitivity. In addition, we also used wound healing and transwell assays to verify the biological effects of PIAS family gene expression on invasion and metastasis of HCC cells.

RESULTS

We found that PIAS family genes expression is significantly heterogeneous in tumors by multi-genomic analysis, and associated with poor prognosis in patients with multiple types of cancer. Furthermore, we also found that genetic alterations of PIAS family genes were not only common in different types of human tumors, but were also significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS) across pan-cancer. Single-cell analysis revealed that PIAS family genes were mainly distributed in monocytes/macrophages. Additionally, we also found that their expression was associated with tumor microenvironment (including stromal cells and immune cells) and stemness score (DNAss and RNAss). Drug sensitivity analysis showed that PIAS family genes were able to predict the response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. PIAS family genes expression is closely related to tumor metastasis, especially PIAS3. High PIAS3 expression significantly promotes the migration and invasion of liver cancer cell lines (HCC-LM3 and MHCC97-H).

CONCLUSIONS

Taking together, these findings contribute to determine whether the PIAS family genes are a potential oncogenic target gene, which have important contribution for the development of cancer immunotherapy.

Cellular interactions in tumor microenvironment during breast cancer progression: new frontiers and implications for novel therapeutics

The breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is dynamic, with various immune and non-immune cells interacting to regulate tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity. It is now evident that the cells within the TME significantly contribute to breast cancer progression and resistance to various conventional and newly developed anti-tumor therapies. Both immune and non-immune cells in the TME play critical roles in tumor onset, uncontrolled proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to anti-tumor therapies. Consequently, molecular and cellular components of breast TME have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for developing novel treatments. The breast TME primarily comprises cancer cells, stromal cells, vasculature, and infiltrating immune cells. Currently, numerous clinical trials targeting specific TME components of breast cancer are underway. However, the complexity of the TME and its impact on the evasion of anti-tumor immunity necessitate further research to develop novel and improved breast cancer therapies. The multifaceted nature of breast TME cells arises from their phenotypic and functional plasticity, which endows them with both pro and anti-tumor roles during tumor progression. In this review, we discuss current understanding and recent advances in the pro and anti-tumoral functions of TME cells and their implications for developing safe and effective therapies to control breast cancer progress.

Phyto-therapeutics as anti-cancer agents in breast cancer: Pathway targeting and mechanistic elucidation

Cancer of the breast is the mainly prevalent class of cancer in females diagnosed over the globe. It also happens to be the 2nd most prevalent reason of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide. Some of the most common type's therapies for carcinoma of the breast involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and resection. Many studies are being conducted to develop new therapeutic strategies for better diagnosis of breast cancer. An enormous number of anticancer medications have been developed as a result of growing understanding of the molecular pathways behind the advancement of cancer. Over the past few decades, the general survival rate has not greatly increased due to the usage of chemically manufactured medications. Therefore, in order to increase the effectiveness of current cancer treatments, new tactics and cutting-edge chemoprevention drugs are required. Phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring molecules derived from plants, are important sources for both cancer therapy and innovative medication development. These phytochemicals frequently work by controlling molecular pathways linked to the development and spread of cancer. Increasing antioxidant status, inactivating carcinogens, preventing proliferation, causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and immune system control are some of the specific ways. This primary objective of this review is to provide an overview of the active ingredients found in natural goods, including information on their pharmacologic action, molecular targets, and current state of knowledge. We have given a thorough description of a number of natural substances that specifically target the pathways linked to breast carcinoma in this study. We've conducted a great deal of study on a few natural compounds that may help us identify novel targets for the detection of breast carcinoma.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Subunit β as a Prognostic Biomarker Associates With Immune Cell Infiltration in Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The present study aims to explore the expression level of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit β (EIF2S2) in breast cancer tissue, and its role both in breast cancer prognosis and in the immune microenvironment.

METHODS

To assess the association between the expression levels of EIF2S2 and prognosis, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database was initially applied to determine differences in the gene expression of EIF2S2 in various malignant and normal tissues. Furthermore, the expression levels of EIF2S2 were determined in the clinical breast cancer tissues and corresponding para-neoplastic tissues using immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were employed to explore the association between EIF2S2 expression levels and patient prognosis. Finally, the correlation between the expression levels of EIF2S2 and immune cell infiltration in breast cancer was analyzed using the TIMER2.0 database, and subsequently validated by immunohistochemical experiments.

RESULTS

The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database revealed the presence of higher expression levels of EIF2S2 in various different types of cancer compared with normal cells, also correlating its expression with both the age and the tumor stage of patients with breast cancer. The survival analysis results revealed that high expression levels of EIF2S2 could be a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Moreover, the EIF2S2 expression level was found to be closely associated with the infiltration levels of various immune cells, including regulatory T cells, CD4+, CD8+, and natural killer cells, in breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that an upregulated expression level of EIF2S2 in breast cancer may be associated with poor patient prognosis, affecting immune cell infiltration in breast cancer. Taken together, the findings of the present study have shown that EIF2S2 expression may be a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Advances in the study of marketed antibody-drug Conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer continues to have a high incidence rate among female malignancies. Despite significant advancements in treatment modalities, the heterogeneous nature of breast cancer and its resistance to various therapeutic approaches pose considerable challenges. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) effectively merge the specificity of antibodies with the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, offering a novel strategy for precision treatment of breast cancer. Notably, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has provided a new therapeutic option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients globally, especially those resistant to conventional treatments. The development of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and sacituzumab govitecan (SG) has further broadened the applicability of ADCs in breast cancer therapy, presenting new hopes for patients with low HER2 expression and triple-negative breast cancer. However, the application of ADCs presents certain challenges. For instance, their treatment may lead to adverse reactions such as interstitial lung disease, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea. Moreover, prolonged treatment could result in ADCs resistance, complicating the therapeutic process. Economically, the high costs of ADCs might hinder their accessibility in low-income regions. This article reviews the structure, mechanism of action, and clinical trials of commercially available ADCs for breast cancer treatment, with a focus on the clinical trials of the three drugs, aiming to provide insights for clinical applications and future research.

KNSTRN Is a Prognostic Biomarker That Is Correlated with Immune Infiltration in Breast Cancer and Promotes Cell Cycle and Proliferation

Kinetochore-localized astrin/SPAG5-binding protein (KNSTRN) promotes the progression of bladder cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. However, its expression and biological function in breast cancer remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze KNSTRN expression, prognoses, correlation with immune infiltration, expression-associated genes, and regulated signaling pathways to characterize its role in regulating the cell cycle using both bioinformatics and in vitro functional experiments. Analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, TIMER, and The Human Protein Atlas databases revealed a significant upregulation of KNSTRN transcript and protein levels in breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses demonstrated a significant association between high expression of KNSTRN and poor overall survival, relapse-free survival, post-progression survival, and distant metastases-free survival in patients with breast cancer. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analyses confirmed that KNSTRN is an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer. Immune infiltration analysis indicated a positive correlation between KNSTRN expression and T regulatory cell infiltration while showing a negative correlation with Tgd and natural killer cell infiltration. Gene set enrichment analysis along with single-cell transcriptome data analysis suggested that KNSTRN promoted cell cycle progression by regulating the expression of key cell cycle proteins. The overexpression and silencing of KNSTRN in vitro, respectively, promoted and inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The overexpression of KNSTRN enhanced the expression of key cell cycle regulators, including CDK4, CDK6, and cyclin D3, thereby accelerating the G1/S phase transition and leading to aberrant proliferation of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that KNSTRN functions as an oncogene in breast cancer by regulating immune response, promoting G1/S transition, and facilitating breast cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, KNSTRN has potential as a molecular biomarker for diagnostic and prognostic prediction in breast cancer.

A zinc metabolism-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and characteristics of breast cancer

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most serious and prevalent malignancies. Zinc is commonly known to play a crucial role in the development and progression of breast cancer; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying this role are not well understood. This study aimed to develop a zinc metabolism-related gene (ZMRG) signature based on a multi-database study to predict patient prognosis and investigate the relationship between drug therapy response and immune enrichment.

Methods

Data for breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were screened for zinc metabolism-related genes using the Molecular Signature Database. Cox and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regressions were performed to construct a ZMRG signature. To assess the predictive performance of the gene signature, Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were used. Additionally, we utilised single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, the Tumour Immune Estimation Resource, the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database, and the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal to investigate the association between the tumour microenvironment and drug sensitivity. Quantitative PCR was used to assess the expression of each gene in the signature in breast cancer cell lines and patient samples.

Results

Five ZMRGs were identified (ATP7B, BGLAP, P2RX4, SLC39A11, and TH) and a risk profile was constructed for each. Two risk groups, high- and low-risk, were identified in this way, and the high-risk score subgroups were found to have worse prognosis. This risk profile was validated using the GSE42568 dataset. Tumour microenvironment and drug sensitivity analyses showed that the expression of these five ZMRGs was significantly associated with immune response. The high-risk group showed substantial immune cell infiltration and enrichment of immune pathways, and patients were more sensitive to drugs commonly used in breast cancer.

Conclusion

The ZMRG signature represents a new prognostic predictor for patients with breast cancer, and may also provide new insights into individualised treatment of breast cancer.

MiR-9 promotes G-MDSC recruitment and tumor proliferation by targeting SOCS3 in breast cancer

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of cells that differentiate from myeloid cells, proliferate in cancer and inflammatory reactions, and mainly exert immunosuppressive functions. Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms that dictate both the accumulation and function of MDSCs remain only partially elucidated. In the course of our investigation, we observed a positive correlation between the content of MDSCs especially G-MDSCs and miR-9 level in the tumor tissues derived from miR-9 knockout MMTV-PyMT mice and 4T1 tumor-bearing mice with miR-9 overexpression. Combined with RNA-seq analysis, we identified SOCS2 and SOCS3 as direct targets of miR-9. Additionally, our research unveiled the pivotal role of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in orchestrating the chemotactic recruitment of G-MDSCs within the tumor microenvironment, a process that is enhanced by miR-9. These findings provide fresh insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the accumulation of MDSCs within the framework of breast cancer development.

Stachydrine represses the proliferation and enhances cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of breast cancer cells via PLA2G2A/DCN axis

Considering the therapeutic efficacy of Stachydrine on breast cancer (BC), this study aims to decipher the relevant mechanism. The effects of Stachydrine on BC cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were firstly investigated. Then, Bioinformatics was applied to sort out the candidate interacting with Stachydrine as well as its expression and downstream target in BC. Relative expressions of genes of interest as well as proliferation- and apoptosis-related factors in BC cells were quantified through quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and western blot as appropriate. As a result, Stachydrine inhibited the proliferation, down-regulated the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CyclinD1, enhanced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and up-regulated the levels of Cleaved caspase-3 and Cleaved caspase-9 in BC cells. Phospholipase A2 Group IIA (PLA2G2A) was predicted as the candidate interacting with Stachydrine and to be lowly expressed in BC. PLA2G2A silencing reversed while PLA2G2A overexpression reinforced the effects of Stachydrine. Decorin (DCN) was the downstream target of PLA2G2A and also lowly expressed in BC. PLA2G2A silencing counteracted yet overexpressed PLA2G2A strengthened the promoting effects of Stachydrine on DCN level. Collectively, Stachydrine inhibits the growth of BC cells to promote cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via PLA2G2A/DCN axis.

Prognostic significance and expression pattern of glucose related genes in breast cancer: A comprehensive computational biology approach

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of malignancy globally and the main reason why women die from tumours. The Warburg effect, a characteristic of tumor, describes how most solid tumour cells acclimatize to their diverse surroundings by relying heavily on aerobic glycolysis for production of energy. In addition to producing key metabolic intermediates that are crucial for the production of macromolecules, which enable cancer cell division, invasiveness, and drug resistance, the transformed energy metabolism also supplies tumor cells with ATP for cellular energy. Here, we evaluated the expression profile, prognostic significance, and clinical relevance of glucose-related genes in BC using a bioinformatic approach. To clarify the significance of glucose-related genes in the development of breast tumours, we also performed a functional enrichment investigation of deregulated genes using the STRING and KEGG portal. The study depicted that of the 61 genes examined, 8 genes had a fold change Collapse

Key Words

• Bioinformatics
• Breast cancer
• Deregulation
• Glucose metabolism
• Prognosis
• Survival analysis
• Warburg effect

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MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Bader Alshehri Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Almajmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

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Chitosan-functionalized bioplatforms and hydrogels in breast cancer: immunotherapy, phototherapy and clinical perspectives

Breast cancer is the most common and malignant tumor among women. Chitosan (CS)-based nanoparticles have been introduced into breast cancer therapy as a way to increase the targeted delivery of drugs and genes to the tumor site. CS nanostructures suppress tumorigenesis by enhancing both the targeted delivery of cargo (drug and gene) and its accumulation in tumor cells. The tumor cells internalize CS-based nanoparticles through endocytosis. Moreover, chitosan nanocarriers can also induce phototherapy-mediated tumor ablation. Smart and multifunctional types of CS nanoparticles, including pH-, light- and redox-responsive nanoparticles, can be used to improve the potential for breast cancer removal. In addition, the acceleration of immunotherapy by CS nanoparticles has also been achieved, and there is potential to develop CS-nanoparticle hydrogels that can be used to suppress tumorigenesis.

Seed Becoming Soil: A New Paradigm of the Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment

Cells in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), contribute to tumor growth and immune evasion. A recent study of Ewing sarcoma identified "CAF-like" tumor cells that mimic the protumorigenic features of CAFs. These findings highlight the role of cell plasticity in tumor growth. See related article by Wrenn et al., p. 5140.

Targeting breast cancer stem cells through retinoids: A new hope for treatment

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.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation for deciphering the action mechanism of Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don constituents in suppressing breast carcinoma

Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don is a well-known medicinal plant of Kashmir Himalaya. Traditionally, it has been used to treat several diseases, including cancer. However, the molecular mechanism behind anticancer activity remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we have performed high performance-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HR-LC/MS), network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation methods were used to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of F. cirrhosa for the treatment of breast cancer (BC). The targets of F. cirrhosa for treating BC were predicted using databases like SwissTargetPrediction, Gene Cards and OMIM. Protein-protein interaction analysis and network construction were performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins programme, and analysis of Gene Ontology term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment was done using the Cytoscape programme. In addition, molecular docking was used to investigate intermolecular interactions between the compounds and the proteins using the Autodock tool. MD simulations studies were also used to explore the stability of the representative AKT1 gene peiminine and Imperialine-3-β-glucoside. In addition, experimental treatment of F. cirrhosa was also verified. HR-LC/MS detected the presence of several secondary metabolites. Afterward, molecular docking was used to verify the effective activity of the active ingredients against the prospective targets. Additionally, Peiminine and Imperialine-3-β-glucoside showed the highest binding energy score against AKT-1 (-12.99 kcal/mol and -12.08 kcal/mol). AKT1 with Peiminine and Imperialine-3-β-glucoside was further explored for MD simulations. During the MD simulation study at 100 nanoseconds, a stable complex formation of AKT1 + Peiminine and Imperialine-3-β-glucoside was observed. The binding free energy calculations using MM/GBSA showed significant binding of the ligand with protein (ΔG: -79.83 ± 3.0 kcal/mol) between AKT1 + Peiminine was observed. The principal component analysis exhibited a stable converged structure by achieving global motion. Lastly, F. cirrhosa extracts also exhibited momentous anticancer activity through in vitro studies. Therefore, present study revealed the molecular mechanism of F. cirrhosa constituents for the effective treatment of BC by deactivating various multiple gene targets, multiple pathways particularly the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. These findings emphasized the momentous anti-BC activity of F. cirrhosa constituents.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Overexpression of CD2/CD27 could inhibit the activation of nitrogen metabolism pathways and suppress M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby preventing brain metastasis of breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to reveal the possible molecular mechanisms of CD2 and CD27 in influencing the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer (BC) brain metastasis based on the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and SRA (Sequence Read Archive) databases.

METHODS

We calculated the proportions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the immune and stromal cell scores in 1222 BC samples from the TCGA-BRCA dataset, followed by identification of candidate DEGs. We further screened for BC brain metastasis-related DEGs in the BC brain metastasis dataset SUB12911144 from the SRA database. Finally, we established a mouse breast cancer brain metastasis model for in vivo validation.

RESULTS

We further screened two immune-regulatory DEGs (CD2 and CD27). GSEA analysis showed that the downregulation of CD2 and CD27 expression was closely related to the activation of nitrogen metabolism pathways. CIBERSORT algorithm analysis showed a correlation between the expression of 16 types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and CD2 and 19 types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and CD27. In addition, CD2 and CD27 expression were negatively associated with the proportion of M2 macrophages. In vivo experimental results demonstrated that overexpression of CD2/CD27 could suppress the M2 polarization of macrophages and inhibit breast cancer brain metastasis.

CONCLUSION

In the tumor microenvironment, overexpression of CD2/CD27 inhibited the activation of nitrogen metabolism pathways and suppressed M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby preventing brain metastasis of breast cancer.

Mimicking 3D breast tumor-stromal interactions to screen novel cancer therapeutics

Most of the 3D breast tumor models used in drug screening studies only comprise tumor cells, keeping out other essential cell players of the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages and fibroblasts are frequently correlated with tumor progression and therapy resistance, and targeting these cells at the tumor site has been appointed as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the translation of new therapies to the clinic has been hampered by the absence of cellular models that more closely mimic the features of in vivo breast tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the development of innovative 3D models able to provide consistent and predictive responses about the in vivo efficacy of novel therapeutics is still an unmet preclinical need. Herein, we have established an in vitro 3D heterotypic spheroid model including MCF-7 breast tumor cells, human mammary fibroblasts and human macrophages. To establish this model, different cell densities have been combined and characterized through the evaluation of the spheroid size and metabolic activity, as well as histological and immunohistochemistry analysis of the 3D multicellular structures. The final optimized 3D model consisted in a multicellular spheroid seeded at the initial density of 5000 cells and cell ratio of 1:2:1 (MCF-7:monocytes:fibroblasts). Our model recapitulates several features of the breast tumor microenvironment, including the formation of a necrotic core, spatial organization, and extracellular matrix production. Further, it was validated as a platform for drug screening studies, using paclitaxel, a currently approved drug for breast cancer treatment, and Gefitinib, a chemotherapeutic approved for lung cancer and in preclinical evaluation for breast cancer. Generally, the impact on the cell viability of the 3D model was less evident than in 2D model, reinforcing the relevance of such complex 3D models in addressing novel treatment approaches. Overall, the use of a 3D heterotypic spheroid of breast cancer could be a valuable tool to predict the therapeutic effect of new treatments for breast cancer patients, by recapitulating key features of the breast cancer microenvironment.

Integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data reveals the prognostic value and molecular function of THSD7A in gastric cancer

The biological role and prognostic value of thrombospondin domain-containing 7A (THSD7A) in gastric cancer remain unclear. Our purpose was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the functioning of THSD7A and its prognostic value in gastric cancer. Gastric cancer-associated single cell and bulk RNA sequencing data obtained from two databases, were analyzed. We used bulk RNA sequencing to examine the differential expression of THSD7A in gastric cancer and normal gastric tissues and explored the relationship between THSD7A expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox analyses revealed the prognostic value of THSD7A. Gene set enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were used to determine the cancer-promoting mechanisms of THSD7A and its effect on the immune microenvironment. We explored the relationship between THSD7A expression and sensitivity of anti-tumor drugs and immune checkpoint levels. Biological functions of THSD7A were validated at single-cell and in vitro levels. THSD7A expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer samples. High THSD7A expression was associated with poor clinical phenotypes and prognoses. Cox analysis showed that THSD7A was an independent risk factor for patients with gastric cancer. Enrichment analysis suggested that epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inflammatory responses may be potential pro-cancer mechanisms of THSD7A. Upregulation of THSD7A promoted infiltration by M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells. High THSD7A expression suppressed the sensitivity of patients with gastric cancer to drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin, and cisplatin, and upregulated immune checkpoints, such as HAVCR2, PDCD1LG2, TIGIT, and CTLA4. At the single cell level, THSD7A was an endothelial cell-associated gene and endothelial cells overexpressing THSD7A showed unique pro-oncogenic effects. In vitro experiments confirmed that THSD7A was overexpressed in gastric cancer samples and cells, and that knocking out THSD7A significantly inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion. THSD7A overexpression may be a unique prognostic marker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer. Therefore, our study provides a new perspective on the precise treatment of gastric cancer.

Immunobiological signatures and the emerging role of SPP1 in predicting tumor heterogeneity, malignancy, and clinical outcomes in stomach adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy, as a form of immunobiological therapy, represents a promising approach for enhancing patients' immune responses. This work aims to present innovative ideas and insights for prognostic assessment and clinical treatment of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) by leveraging immunobiological signatures.

METHODS

We employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and unsupervised clustering analysis to identify hub genes. These hub genes were utilized to construct a prognostic risk model, and their impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and DNA variations was assessed using large-scale STAD patient cohorts. Additionally, we conducted transfection experiments with plasmids to investigate the influence of SPP1 on the malignancy of HGC27 and NCI-N87 cells.

RESULTS

Unsupervised clustering of 12 immune-related genes (IRGs) revealed three distinct alteration patterns with unique molecular phenotypes, clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and TME features. Using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses, we identified three hub genes (MMP12, SPP1, PLAU) from the IRGs to establish a risk signature. This IRG-related risk model significantly stratified the prognosis risk among STAD patients in the training (n = 522), testing (n = 521), and validation (n = 300) cohorts. Notably, there were discernible differences in therapy responses and TME characteristics, such as tumor purity and lymphocyte infiltration, between the risk model groups. Subsequently, a nomogram that incorporates the IRG signature and clinicopathological factors demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity in predicting outcomes for STAD patients. Furthermore, down-regulation of SPP1, as observed after siRNA transfection, significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration abilities of HGC27 and NCI-N87 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study highlights the critical role of immune-related signatures in STAD and offers novel insights into prognosis indicators and immunotherapeutic targets for this condition. SPP1 emerges as an independent prognostic factor for STAD and appears to regulate STAD progression by influencing the immune microenvironment.

Cell Membrane Sialome: Sialic Acids as Therapeutic Targets and Regulators of Drug Resistance in Human Cancer Management

A cellular sialome is a physiologically active and dynamically changing component of the cell membrane. Sialylation plays a crucial role in tumor progression, and alterations in cellular sialylation patterns have been described as modulators of chemotherapy effectiveness. However, the precise mechanisms through which altered sialylation contributes to drug resistance in cancer are not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the intricate interplay between sialylation and cancer treatment. It presents the role of sialic acids in modulating cell-cell interactions, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the immunosuppressive processes within the context of cancer. The issue of drug resistance is also discussed, and the mechanisms that involve transporters, the tumor microenvironment, and metabolism are analyzed. The review explores drugs and therapeutic approaches that may induce modifications in sialylation processes with a primary focus on their impact on sialyltransferases or sialidases. Despite advancements in cellular glycobiology and glycoengineering, an interdisciplinary effort is required to decipher and comprehend the biological characteristics and consequences of altered sialylation. Additionally, understanding the modulatory role of sialoglycans in drug sensitivity is crucial to applying this knowledge in clinical practice for the benefit of cancer patients.

Studying luminal A and B subtypes of breast cancer under paracrine secretion of fibro-blasts

Introduction

Understanding the key role of the tumor microenvironment in specifying molecular markers of breast cancer subtypes is of a high importance in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the possibility of interconversion of luminal states and their specific markers alteration under the control of tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) deserves to be further investigated.

Methods

To activate normal human fibroblasts, liquid overlay technique or nemosis was used and α-SMA protein expression, CAFs marker, in fibroblastic spheroids was measured by blotting. The luminal A, MCF-7, and luminal B, MDA-MB 361, cell lines were treated with normal and spheroidal/activated fibroblast conditioned medium for 48 hours. The morphological changes of both luminal A and B cells were evaluated by invert light microscopy and analyzed through the shape factor formula. Moreover, chemo-sensitivity, proliferation, and changes in ER-related and proliferative genes expression levels were assessed respectively via MTT assay, Ki67 expression Immunofluorescence assay, real time PCR and Annexin V-FITC techniques.

Results

Activated (spheroidal) fibroblasts, expressed αSMA marker two folds more than monolayer cultured fibroblasts. Our study indicated a significant increase in IC50 of both luminal A and B cell lines after being treated with conditioned medium particularly in treated group with spheroidal conditioned medium. Studying Morphological changes using shape factor formula demonstrated more aggressiveness with gaining mesenchymal features in both luminal A and B subtypes by increasing exposure time. Changes in the expression of Ki67 were observed following treatment with fibroblastic and spheroidal paracrine secretome. Driven Data from Ki67 assay supports the luminal A and B interconversion by elevated Ki67 expression in luminal A and lowered Ki67 expression in luminal B. Gene expression analysis revealed that anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene expression in both luminal types treated with condition medium has been increased though there has seen no interchange in expression of ER-related and proliferative genes between luminal A (MCF7) and luminal B (MDA-MB361) subtypes, the results of Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry test indicated a decrease in the population of both early and late apoptotic cells in groups treated with both fibroblastic and spheroidal condition medium compared to of control group.

Conclusion

Under the paracrine influence of fibroblast cells, both luminal A (MCF7) and luminal B (MDA-MB) subtypes of breast cancer gained invasive, anti-apoptotic, and chemoresistance features which are mostly increased by activated(spheroidal) fibroblasts conditioned medium mimicking CAFs. There was no strong proof for interconversion of luminal A and luminal B which share more similarities among breast cancer molecular subtypes.

Molecular interaction of metastasis suppressor genes and tumor microenvironment in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide where the process of metastasis is a major contributor to the mortality associated with this disease. Metastasis suppressor genes are a group of genes that play a crucial role in preventing or inhibiting the spread of cancer cells. They suppress the metastasis process by inhibiting colonization and by inducing dormancy. These genes function by regulating various cellular processes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as cell adhesion, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of metastasis suppressor genes can lead to the acquisition of an invasive and metastatic phenotype and lead to poor prognostic outcomes. The components of the TME generally play a necessary in the metastasis progression of tumor cells. This review has identified and elaborated on the role of a few metastatic suppressors associated with the TME that have been shown to inhibit metastasis in BC by different mechanisms, such as blocking certain cell signaling molecules involved in cancer cell migration, invasion, enhancing immune surveillance of cancer cells, and promoting the formation of a protective extracellular matrix (ECM). Understanding the interaction of metastatic suppressor genes and the components of TME has important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to target the metastatic cascade. Targeting these genes or their downstream signaling pathways offers a promising approach to inhibiting the spread of cancer cells and improves patient outcomes.

A Mendelian randomization-based approach to explore the relationship between leukocyte counts and breast cancer risk in European ethnic groups

Exploring the potential association between peripheral blood leukocyte counts and breast cancer risk by Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis methods. Genetic data related to peripheral blood sorting counts of leukocytes were collected from a genome-wide association study by Blood Cell Consortium (BCX). Single nucleotide polymorphic loci predicting peripheral blood sorting counts of these leukocytes were selected as instrumental variables according to the correlation assumption, independence assumption and exclusivity assumption of MR. The data on breast cancer and its subtypes were obtained from Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) and FinnGen Consortium. In this study, the Inverse-Variance Weighted (IVW), Weighted Median, MR-Egger, Maximum Likelihood (ML), MR-PRESSO and Constrained Maximum Likelihood and Model Averaging (cML-MA) methods of random effects models were used for MR analysis. Cochran's Q analysis, and MR-Egger intercept analysis were applied for sensitivity analysis. IVW and cML-MA were considered the primary analytical tools, and the results of the other 4 MRs were used as complementary and validation. The results suggest that there is no significant causal relationship between leukocyte count and breast cancer risk (IVW OR = 0.98 [95% CI: 0.93-1.03], p-value = 0.35; CML-MA OR = 1.01 [95% CI: 0.98-1.05], p-value = 0.51). In addition, we analyzed whether there was a potential correlation between the five main types of categorized leukocyte counts and different breast cancer subtypes. We did not find significant evidence to support a significant correlation between leukocyte counts and breast cancer subtypes.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Uracil Derivatives as Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors

Cell division is driven by nucleic acid metabolism, and thymidylate synthase (TYMS) catalyzes a rate-limiting step in nucleotide synthesis. As a result, thymidylate synthase has emerged as a critical target in chemotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently being used to treat a wide range of cancers, including breast, pancreatic, head and neck, colorectal, ovarian, and gastric cancers The objective of this study was to establish a new methodology for the low-cost, one-pot synthesis of uracil derivatives (UD-1 to UD-5) and to evaluate their therapeutic potential in BC cells. One-pot organic synthesis processes using a single solvent were used for the synthesis of drug analogues of Uracil. Integrated bioinformatics using GEPIA2, UALCAN, and KM plotter were utilized to study the expression pattern and prognostic significance of TYMS, the key target gene of 5-fluorouracil in breast cancer patients. Cell viability, cell proliferation, and colony formation assays were used as in vitro methods to validate the in silico lead obtained. BC patients showed high levels of thymidylate synthase, and high expression of thymidylate synthase was found associated with poor prognosis. In silico studies indicated that synthesized uracil derivatives have a high affinity for thymidylate synthase. Notably, the uracil derivatives dramatically inhibited the proliferation and colonization potential of BC cells in vitro. In conclusion, our study identified novel uracil derivatives as promising therapeutic options for breast cancer patients expressing the augmented levels of thymidylate synthase.

Targeting drug-tolerant cells: A promising strategy for overcoming acquired drug resistance in cancer cells

Drug resistance remains the greatest challenge in improving outcomes for cancer patients who receive chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Surmounting evidence suggests that a subpopulation of cancer cells could escape intense selective drug treatment by entering a drug-tolerant state without genetic variations. These drug-tolerant cells (DTCs) are characterized with a slow proliferation rate and a reversible phenotype. They reside in the tumor region and may serve as a reservoir for resistant phenotypes. The survival of DTCs is regulated by epigenetic modifications, transcriptional regulation, mRNA translation remodeling, metabolic changes, antiapoptosis, interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and activation of signaling pathways. Thus, targeting the regulators of DTCs opens a new avenue for the treatment of therapy-resistant tumors. In this review, we first provide an overview of common characteristics of DTCs and the regulating networks in DTCs development. We also discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities to target DTCs. Last, we discuss the current challenges and prospects of the DTC-targeting approach to overcome acquired drug resistance. Reviewing the latest developments in DTC research could be essential in discovering of methods to eliminate DTCs, which may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing drug resistance in the future.

ZEB1 potentiates chemoresistance in breast cancer stem cells by evading apoptosis

Chemoresistance renders a challenge to the clinics to treat breast cancer patients. Current treatment strategies are effective in mitigating tumor growth but remain largely ineffective against cancer-initiating cells or breast Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) regulates breast CSC physiology. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is a key EMT-transcription factor that regulates breast CSC - differentiation and metastasis. However, its potential role in modulating tumor chemoresistance has not yet been fully understood. In-silico analysis revealed a higher ZEB1 expression in breast cancer patients that leads to decreased overall and relapse-free survival. We generated sorted breast CSC with stable ZEB1 overexpression (CD24-/CD44+GFP-ZEB1) and/or silencing (CD24-/CD44+ZEB1 shRNA) as well as breast cancer cells with stable ZEB1 overexpression (CD24+GFP-ZEB1) and/or silencing (CD24+ZEB1 shRNA). An increased colony-forming efficiency and doxorubicin accumulation correlated with decreased promoter activity and expression profile of ABCC1 drug-efflux ABC transporter in CD24-/CD44+GFP-ZEB1. Additionally, CD24-/CD44+GFP-ZEB1 demonstrated doxorubicin-induced higher anti-apoptotic and lower pro-apoptotic protein expressions in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions. Chemoresistant CD24-/CD44+GFP-ZEB1 cells depicted 1000-fold higher IC-50 values of doxorubicin and decreased activation of JNK-p38 stress kinase molecular signaling-dependent mammosphere forming efficiency to evade apoptosis. Thus, ZEB1 and its downstream effectors are plausible therapeutic targets for the mitigation of breast cancer chemoresistance in patients.

Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Tumor Drug Resistance

Although there has been some progress in the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, drug resistance remains challenging. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing and differentiate into cancer tissues with tumor heterogeneity. CSCs are associated with the progression of breast, colon, and lung cancers. Hence, recent studies have focused on the role of CSCs in resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Increasing evidence suggests that CSCs interact with components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as vascular and immune cells, as well as various cytokines, and are regulated by multiple signaling pathways, thereby promoting drug resistance in various cancers. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between CSCs and the TME for the development of targeted anti-cancer therapies.

A hybrid breast cancer/mesenchymal stem cell population enhances chemoresistance and metastasis

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer remain at risk for metastatic disease despite treatment. The acquisition of chemoresistance is a major cause of tumor relapse and death, but the mechanisms are far from understood. We have demonstrated that breast cancer cells (BCCs) can engulf mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), leading to enhanced dissemination. Here, we show that clinical samples of primary invasive carcinoma and chemoresistant breast cancer metastasis contain a unique hybrid cancer cell population coexpressing pancytokeratin and the MSC marker fibroblast activation protein-α. We show that hybrid cells form in primary tumors and that they promote breast cancer metastasis and chemoresistance. Using single-cell microfluidics and in vivo models, we found that there are polyploid senescent cells within the hybrid cell population that contribute to metastatic dissemination. Our data reveal that Wnt Family Member 5A (WNT5A) plays a crucial role in supporting the chemoresistance properties of hybrid cells. Furthermore, we identified that WNT5A mediates hybrid cell formation through a phagocytosis-like mechanism that requires BCC-derived IL-6 and MSC-derived C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2. These findings reveal hybrid cell formation as a mechanism of chemoresistance and suggest that interrupting this mechanism may be a strategy in overcoming breast cancer drug resistance.

COPS6 promotes tumor progression and reduces CD8+ T cell infiltration by repressing IL-6 production to facilitate tumor immune evasion in breast cancer

Due to poor T cell infiltration, tumors evade immune surveillance. Increased CD8+ T cell infiltration in breast cancer suggests a satisfactory response to immunotherapy. COPS6 has been identified as an oncogene, but its role in regulating antitumor immune responses has not been defined. In this study, we investigated the impact of COPS6 on tumor immune evasion in vivo. Tumor transplantation models were established in C57BL/6 J mice and BALB/c nude mice. Flow cytometry was conducted to identify the role of COPS6 on tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. By analyzing the TCGA and GTEx cohort, we found that COPS6 expression was significantly up-regulated in a variety of cancers. In human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS and non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299, we showed that p53 negatively regulated COPS6 promoter activity. In human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, COPS6 overexpression stimulated p-AKT expression as well as the proliferation and malignant transformation of tumor cells, whereas knockdown of COPS6 caused opposite effects. Knockdown of COPS6 also significantly suppressed the growth of mouse mammary cancer EMT6 xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that COPS6 was a mediator of IL-6 production in the tumor microenvironment and a negative regulator of CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration in breast cancer. In C57BL6 mice bearing EMT6 xenografts, COPS6 knockdown in the EMT6 cells increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, while knockdown of IL-6 in COPS6KD EMT6 cells diminished tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells. We conclude that COPS6 promotes breast cancer progression by reducing CD8+ T cell infiltration and function via the regulation of IL-6 secretion. This study clarifies the role of p53/COPS6/IL-6/CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes signaling in breast cancer progression and immune evasion, opening a new path for development of COPS6-targeting therapies to enhance tumor immunogenicity and treat immunologically "cold" breast cancer.

A novel super-enhancer-related gene signature predicts prognosis and immune microenvironment for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study targeted at developing a robust, prognostic signature based on super-enhancer-related genes (SERGs) to reveal survival prognosis and immune microenvironment of breast cancer.

METHODS

RNA-sequencing data of breast cancer were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), 1069 patients of which were randomly assigned into training or testing set in 1:1 ratio. SERGs were downloaded from Super-Enhancer Database (SEdb). After which, a SERGs signature was established based on the training set, with its prognostic value further validated in the testing set. Subsequently, we identified the potential function enrichment and tumor immune infiltration of the model. Moreover, in vitro experiments were completed to further explore the biological functions of ZIC2 gene (one of the risk genes in the prognostic model) in breast cancer.

RESULTS

A risk score system of prognostic value was constructed with 6 SERGs (ZIC2, NFE2, FOXJ1, KLF15, POU3F2 and SPIB) to find patients in high-risk group with significantly worse prognosis in both training and testing sets. In addition, a multivariate regression was established via integrating the 6 genes with age and N stage, indicating well performance by calibration, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA). Further analysis demonstrated that tumor-associated pathological processes and pathways were significantly enriched in the high-risk group. In general, the novel SERGs signature could be applied to screen breast cancer with immunosuppressive microenvironment for the risk score was negatively correlated with ESTIMATE score, tumor-infiltration lymphocytes (such as CD4 + and CD8 + T cell), immune checkpoints and chemotactic factors. Furthermore, down-regulation of ZIC2 gene expression inhibited the cell viability, cellular migration and cell cycle of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel SERGs signature could predict the prognosis of breast cancer; and SERGs might serve as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer.

Concomitant effects of paclitaxel and celecoxib on genes involved in apoptosis of triple-negative metastatic breast cancer cells

Although triple-negative breast cancer accounts for less than one-fifth of breast cancers, it has a higher rate of metastasis and mortality. This study investigated the effects of combination treatment with paclitaxel and celecoxib on the expression of genes involved in the apoptosis of triple-negative metastatic breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured and then treated with certain concentrations of celecoxib (CLX), paclitaxel (PTX), and combination of them for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT method. The real-time PCR method was utilized to assess the expression level of the genes involved in apoptosis. Western blotting was used for evaluating protein expression. IC50 values for CLX and PTX were 73.95 μM and 3.15 μM, respectively. The results demonstrated that PTX, CLX, and PTX + CLX significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cell viability. The comparison of combination treatment with PTX showed a significant increase in caspase 3 gene expression at both time points, in Bax gene expression after 48 h, and a remarkable decrease in Bcl-2 gene expression at both times. Western blotting results were in line with genes' expression. These findings indicate that a combination of PTX and CLX results in a significantly more reduction in cell viability of breast cancer cells. In addition, it seems CLX may be an effective agent in regulating the expression level of caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2 when combined with PTX.

Targeting tumor microenvironment using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as therapeutics against tumorigenesis

The immune system plays a vital role in suppressing tumor cell progression. The tumor microenvironment augmented with significant levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been widely investigated and it is suggested that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have shown a significant role in the prognosis of cancer patients. Compared to ordinary non-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a significant population of lymphocytes that infiltrate tumor tissue and have a higher level of specific immunological reactivity against tumor cells. They serve as an effective immunological defense against various malignancies. TILs are a diverse group of immune cells that are divided into immune subsets based on the pathological and physiological impact they have on the immune system. TILs mainly consist of B-cells, T-cells, or natural killer cells with diverse phenotypic and functional properties. TILs are known to be superior to other immune cells in that they can recognize a wide range of heterogeneous tumor antigens by producing many clones of T cell receptors (TCRs), outperforming treatments like TCR-T cell and CAR-T therapy. With the introduction of genetic engineering technologies, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have become a ground-breaking therapeutic option for malignancies, but because of the hindrances opposed by the immune microenvironment and the mutation of antigens, the development of TILs as therapeutic has been hindered. By giving some insight into the many variables, such as the various barriers inhibiting its usage as a potential therapeutic agent, we have examined various aspects of TILs in this work.

Mechanistic elucidation of Juglanthraquinone C targeting breast Cancer: A network Pharmacology-based investigation

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Despite the recent treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy etc. the lethality of breast cancer is alarming. Natural compounds are considered a better treatment option against breast carcinoma because of their lower side effects and specificity in targeting important proteins involved in the aberrant activation of pathways in breast cancer. A recently discovered compound called Juglanthraquinone C, which is found in the bark of the Juglans mandshurica Maxim (Juglandaceae) tree has shown promising cytotoxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, not much data is available on the molecular mechanisms followed by this compound. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism followed by Juglanthraquinone C against breast cancer. We used the network pharmacology technique to analyse the mechanism of action of Juglanthraquinone C in breast cancer and validated our study by applying various computational tools such as UALCAN, cBioportal, TIMER, docking and simulation. The results showed the compound and breast cancer target network shared 31 common targets. Moreover, we observed that Juglanthraquinone C targets multiple deregulated genes in breast cancer such as TP53, TGIF1, IGF1R, SMAD3, JUN, CDC42, HBEGF, FOS and signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, MAPK pathway and HIPPO signaling pathway. A docking examination revealed that the investigated drug had a high affinity for the primary target TGIF1 protein. A stable protein-ligand combination was generated by the best hit molecule, according to molecular dynamics modeling. The main aim of this study was to examine Juglanthraquinone C's significance as a prospective breast cancer treatment and to better understand the molecular mechanism this substance uses in breast cancer since there is a need to discover new therapeutics to decrease the load on current therapeutics which also are currently ineffective due to several side effects and development of drug resistance.

AS1411-conjugated doxorubicin-loaded silver nanotriangles for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer

Background: Combination therapy has attracted tremendous interest for its great potential in treating cancers. Materials & methods: Based on chitosan-coated silver nanotriangles, polyethylene glycol, AS1411 aptamer and doxorubicin, a multifunctional nanocomposite (AS1411-DOX-AgNTs) was constructed and characterized. Then the photothermal properties, ability to target breast cancer cells and anti-breast cancer effect of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were evaluated. Results: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs were successfully fabricated and showed excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, breast cancer cell and tumor targeting ability. Compared with single treatments, the combination of AS1411-DOX-AgNTs with near-infrared irradiation possessed the strongest anti-breast cancer effect in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: AS1411-DOX-AgNTs hold great potential in targeted DOX delivery and combined chemo-photothermal therapy for breast cancer.