1
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Wu J, Chan YT, Lu Y, Wang N, Feng Y. The tumor microenvironment in the postsurgical liver: Mechanisms and potential targets of postoperative recurrence in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:1946-1973. [PMID: 37102365 DOI: 10.1002/med.21967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Surgery remains to be the mainstay of treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, its therapeutic efficacy is significantly impaired by postoperative recurrence, which occurs in more than half of cases as a result of intrahepatic metastasis or de novo tumorigenesis. For decades, most therapeutic strategies on inhibiting postoperative HCC recurrence have been focused on the residual tumor cells but satisfying therapeutic outcomes are barely observed in the clinic. In recent years, a better understanding of tumor biology allows us to shift our focus from tumor cells toward the postoperative tumor microenvironment (TME), which is gradually identified to play a pivotal role in tumor recurrence. In this review, we describe various surgical stress and surgical perturbation on postoperative TME. Besides, we discuss how such alternations in TME give rise to postoperative recurrence of HCC. Based on its clinical significance, we additionally highlight the potential of the postoperative TME as a target for postoperative adjuvant therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanjun Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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2
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Li L, Xun C, Yu CH. Role of microRNA-regulated cancer stem cells in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1985-1996. [PMID: 36618329 PMCID: PMC9813843 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i12.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the most common cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high rate of tumor recurrence, tumor dormancy, and drug resistance after initial successful chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A small subset of cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), exhibit stem cell characteristics and are present in various cancers, including HCC. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) often accompanies the occurrence and development of HCC. miRNAs can influence tumorigenesis, progression, recurrence, and drug resistance by regulating CSCs properties, which supports their clinical utility in managing and treating HCC. This review summarizes the regulatory effects of miRNAs on CSCs in HCC with a special focus on their impact on HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Chen Xun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou 412000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chun-Hong Yu
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
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3
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Ngo MHT, Peng SW, Kuo YC, Lin CY, Wu MH, Chuang CH, Kao CX, Jeng HY, Lin GW, Ling TY, Chang TS, Huang YH. A Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) Signaling Loop Is Involved in Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3812. [PMID: 34359714 PMCID: PMC8345119 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of a YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop in HCC resistance to sorafenib remains unknown. METHOD Sorafenib-resistant cells were generated by treating naïve cells (HepG2215 and Hep3B) with sorafenib. Different cancer cell lines from databases were analyzed through the ONCOMINE web server. BIOSTORM-LIHC patient tissues (46 nonresponders and 21 responders to sorafenib) were used to compare YAP mRNA levels. The HepG2215_R-derived xenograft in SCID mice was used as an in vivo model. HCC tissues from a patient with sorafenib failure were used to examine differences in YAP and IGF-R signaling. RESULTS Positive associations exist among the levels of YAP, IGF-1R, and EMT markers in HCC tissues and the levels of these proteins increased with sorafenib failure, with a trend of tumor-margin distribution in vivo. Blocking YAP downregulated IGF-1R signaling-related proteins, while IGF-1/2 treatment enhanced the nuclear translocation of YAP in HCC cells through PI3K-mTOR regulation. The combination of YAP-specific inhibitor verteporfin (VP) and sorafenib effectively decreased cell viability in a synergistic manner, evidenced by the combination index (CI). CONCLUSION A YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop may play a role in HCC sorafenib resistance and could provide novel potential targets for combination therapy with sorafenib to overcome drug resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai-Huong T. Ngo
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
| | - Sue-Wei Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Ming-Heng Wu
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsien Chuang
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Cheng-Xiang Kao
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
| | - Han-Yin Jeng
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Gee-Way Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thai-Yen Ling
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
| | - Te-Sheng Chang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33382, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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Imura S, Yamada S, Saito Y, Ikemoto T, Morine Y, Shimada M. Utility of cone unit liver resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched analysis. HPB (Oxford) 2021; 23:739-745. [PMID: 32988753 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anatomical resection (AR) is performed widely for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is controversial whether typical AR, which removes the whole feeding territory of the tumor-bearing portal branch bordered by the landmark veins, is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of small AR, so-called cone unit resection, for small HCC. METHODS Between 2007 and 2019, 372 hepatectomies were performed for HCC. Among them, 91 initial resections for small (<5 cm) solitary HCC were performed by typical AR (n = 44) or cone unit AR (n = 47). Propensity score matching was performed and clinicopathological features including prognosis were compared. RESULTS At baseline, platelet count was higher, and liver function (serum albumin level) and indocyanine green retention at 15 min were better in the typical AR than cone unit AR group. There was no significant difference between the typical AR and cone unit AR group for tumor characteristics, short- and long-term outcomes. Even after propensity score matching (n = 29), the short- and long-term outcomes were also equivalent in between the two groups. CONCLUSION There was no difference in prognosis of typical and cone unit AR. Therefore, cone unit AR is a feasible procedure for small HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Imura
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
| | | | - Yu Saito
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikemoto
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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5
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Li J, Ren H, Wang J, Zhang P, Shi X. Extracellular HMGB1 promotes CD44 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating miR-21. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:8380-8395. [PMID: 33661757 PMCID: PMC8034936 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
As a member of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), extracellular high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Cluster differentiation 44 (CD44) has been demonstrated to participate in HCC progression. However, the relationship between extracellular HMGB1 and CD44 remains unclear. In this study, our results indicated that extracellular HMGB1 promoted the invasion, sphere formation and EMT process of HCC by increasing CD44 expression, which was dependent on miR-21. Moreover, miR-21 upregulated CD44 expression via activating OCT4/TGF-β1 signaling. Finally, we demonstrated the activation of Rage/JNK signaling caused by extracellular HMGB1 was responsible for miR-21 overexpression. Together, these findings reveal an important role of extracellular HMGB1 in HCC progression through upregulating miR-21/CD44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaolei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China
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6
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Iwahashi S, Ghaibeh AA, Shimada M, Morine Y, Imura S, Ikemoto T, Saito Y, Hirose J. Predictability of postoperative recurrence on hepatocellular carcinoma through data mining method. Mol Clin Oncol 2020; 13:46. [PMID: 32874576 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2020.2116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal tumor and the majority of postoperative patients experience recurrence. In the present study, we focus on the predictability of postoperative recurrence on HCC through the data mining method. In total, 323 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were included in the present study, 156 of whom suffered from cancer recurrence. Clinicopathological data including prognosis were analyzed using the data mining method for the predictability of postoperative recurrence on HCC. The resulting alternating decision tree (ADT) was described using data mining method. This tree was validated using a 10-fold cross validation process. The average and standard deviation of the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 69.0±8.2, 59.7±14.5 and 77.7±10.2%, respectively. The identified postoperative recurrence factors were age, viral hepatitis, stage, GOT and T-cholesterol. Data mining method could identify the factors associated at different levels of significance with postoperative recurrence of HCC. These factors could help to predict the postoperative recurrence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichi Iwahashi
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - A Ammar Ghaibeh
- Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Satoru Imura
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikemoto
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Saito
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Jun Hirose
- Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
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7
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Liu YC, Yeh CT, Lin KH. Cancer Stem Cell Functions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061331. [PMID: 32466488 PMCID: PMC7349579 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality owing to resistance to traditional treatments and tumor recurrence after therapy, which leads to poor therapeutic outcomes. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a small subset of tumor cells with the capability to influence self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. A number of surface markers for liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) subpopulations (EpCAM, CD133, CD44, CD13, CD90, OV-6, CD47, and side populations) in HCC have been identified. LCSCs play critical roles in regulating HCC stemness, self-renewal, tumorigenicity, metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance via genetic mutations, epigenetic disruption, signaling pathway dysregulation, or alterations microenvironment. Accumulating studies have shown that biomarkers for LCSCs contribute to diagnosis and prognosis prediction of HCC, supporting their utility in clinical management and development of therapeutic strategies. Preclinical and clinical analyses of therapeutic approaches for HCC using small molecule inhibitors, oncolytic measles viruses, and anti-surface marker antibodies have demonstrated selective, efficient, and safe targeting of LCSC populations. The current review focuses on recent reports on the influence of LCSCs on HCC stemness, tumorigenesis, and multiple drug resistance (MDR), along with LCSC-targeted therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-3-211-8263
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8
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Wu Y, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhou H, Liu G, Li Q. Cancer Stem Cells: A Potential Breakthrough in HCC-Targeted Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:198. [PMID: 32210805 PMCID: PMC7068598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cells with stem cell characteristics that produce both cancerous and non-tumorigenic cells in tumor tissues. The literature reports that CSCs are closely related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and promote the malignant features of HCC such as high invasion, drug resistance, easy recurrence, easy metastasis, and poor prognosis. This review discusses the origin, molecular, and biological features, functions, and applications of CSCs in HCC in recent years; the goal is to clarify the importance of CSCs in treatment and explore their potential value in HCC-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jigang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Heming Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaolin Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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9
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Maruoka Y, Furusawa A, Okada R, Inagaki F, Fujimura D, Wakiyama H, Kato T, Nagaya T, Choyke PL, Kobayashi H. Combined CD44- and CD25-Targeted Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy Selectively Kills Cancer and Regulatory T Cells in Syngeneic Mouse Cancer Models. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:345-355. [PMID: 31953245 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a newly developed and selective cancer treatment that induces necrotic and immunogenic cell death and utilizes a mAb conjugated to a photo-absorber dye, IR700DX, activated by NIR light. Although CD44 is a surface cancer marker associated with drug resistance, anti-CD44-IR700 NIR-PIT results in inhibited cell growth and prolonged survival in multiple tumor types. Meanwhile, CD25-targeted NIR-PIT has been reported to achieve selective and local depletion of FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which are primary immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in activation of local antitumor immunity. Combined NIR-PIT with CD44- and CD25-targeted agents has the potential to directly eliminate tumor cells and also amplify the immune response by removing FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ Tregs from the TME. We investigated the difference in therapeutic effects of CD44-targeted NIR-PIT alone, CD25-targeted NIR-PIT alone, and the combination of CD44- and CD25-targeted NIR-PIT in several syngeneic tumor models, including MC38-luc, LL/2, and MOC1. The combined NIR-PIT showed significant tumor growth inhibition and prolonged survival compared with CD44-targeted NIR-PIT alone in all tumor models and showed prolonged survival compared with CD25-targeted NIR-PIT alone in MC38-luc and LL/2 tumors. Combined CD44- and CD25-targeted NIR-PIT also resulted in some complete remissions. Therefore, combined NIR-PIT simultaneously targeting cancer antigens and immunosuppressive cells in the TME may be more effective than either type of NIR-PIT alone and may have potential to induce prolonged immune responses in treated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Maruoka
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Aki Furusawa
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ryuhei Okada
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Fuyuki Inagaki
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daiki Fujimura
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hiroaki Wakiyama
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Takuya Kato
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tadanobu Nagaya
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter L Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hisataka Kobayashi
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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10
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Wang N, Wang S, Li MY, Hu BG, Liu LP, Yang SL, Yang S, Gong Z, Lai PBS, Chen GG. Cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: an overview and promising therapeutic strategies. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2018; 10:1758835918816287. [PMID: 30622654 PMCID: PMC6304707 DOI: 10.1177/1758835918816287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor clinical outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is ascribed to the resistance of HCC cells to traditional treatments and tumor recurrence after curative therapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as a small subset of cancer cells which have high capacity for self-renewal, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Recent advances in the field of liver CSCs (LCSCs) have enabled the identification of CSC surface markers and the isolation of CSC subpopulations from HCC cells. Given their central role in cancer initiation, metastasis, recurrence and therapeutic resistance, LCSCs constitute a therapeutic opportunity to achieve cure and prevent relapse of HCC. Thus, it is necessary to develop therapeutic strategies to selectively and efficiently target LCSCs. Small molecular inhibitors targeting the core stemness signaling pathways have been actively pursued and evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Other alternative therapeutic strategies include targeting LCSC surface markers, interrupting the CSC microenvironment, and altering the epigenetic state. In this review, we summarize the properties of CSCs in HCC and discuss novel therapeutic strategies that can be used to target LCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuozhou Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR,
China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck
Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of
Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong,
China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bao-guang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong,
China
| | - Li-ping Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas
Surgery, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Shenzhen
People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sheng-li Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical
College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shucai Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingshan
District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province,
China
| | - Zhongqin Gong
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR,
China
| | - Paul B. S. Lai
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
SAR, China
| | - George G. Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
SAR, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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11
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Nagaya T, Nakamura Y, Okuyama S, Ogata F, Maruoka Y, Choyke PL, Allen C, Kobayashi H. Syngeneic Mouse Models of Oral Cancer Are Effectively Targeted by Anti-CD44-Based NIR-PIT. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1667-1677. [PMID: 28923838 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered one of the most aggressive subtypes of cancer. Anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are a potential therapy against CD44 expressing OSCC; however, to date the therapeutic effects have been disappointing. Here, a new cancer treatment is described, near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), that uses anti-CD44 mAbs conjugated to the photoabsorber IR700DX. This conjugate is injected into mice harboring one of three CD44 expressing syngeneic murine oral cancer cell (MOC) lines, MOC1 (immunogenic), MOC2 mKate2 (moderately immunogenic), and MOC2-luc (poorly immunogenic). Binding of the anti-CD44-IR700 conjugate was shown to be specific and cell-specific cytotoxicity was observed after exposure of the cells to NIR light in vitro The anti-CD44-IR700 conjugate, when assessed in vivo, demonstrated deposition within the tumor with a high tumor-to-background ratio. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into four cohorts: no treatment; 100 μg of anti-CD44-IR700 i.v. only; NIR light exposure only; and 100 μg of anti-CD44-IR700 i.v. with NIR light exposure. NIR-PIT therapy, compared with the other groups, significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival in all three cell model systems. In conclusion, these data reveal that anti-CD44 antibodies are suitable as mAb-photoabsorber conjugates for NIR-PIT in MOC cells.Implications: This study using syngeneic mouse models, which better model the disease in humans than conventional xenografts, suggests that NIR-PIT with anti-CD44-IR700 is a potential candidate for the treatment of OSCC. Mol Cancer Res; 15(12); 1667-77. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadanobu Nagaya
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuko Nakamura
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shuhei Okuyama
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Fusa Ogata
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yasuhiro Maruoka
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter L Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Clint Allen
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hisataka Kobayashi
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Imura S, Teraoku H, Yoshikawa M, Ishikawa D, Yamada S, Saito Y, Iwahashi S, Ikemoto T, Morine Y, Shimada M. Potential predictive factors for microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma classified within the Milan criteria. Int J Clin Oncol 2017; 23:98-103. [PMID: 28875240 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-017-1189-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microvascular invasion (mvi) is an important risk factor for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even after curative liver resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. However, mvi is difficult to detect preoperatively. The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors of postoperative recurrence and investigate predictive factors of mvi before hepatectomy for HCC classified within the Milan criteria. METHODS One hundred fifty-nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) classified within the Milan criteria, who underwent hepatectomy, were enrolled in this study. We investigated the risk factors of recurrence. In addition, we divided them into two groups: mvi-negative group and mvi-positive group, based on pathological findings after surgery. We compared the clinicopathological factors between the two groups and determined the risk factors for mvi. RESULTS Overall survival rate at 1, 3, and 5 years were 91.6%, 80.5%, and 74.9%, and the recurrence-free survival rate at 1, 3, and 5-years were 72.3%, 51.6%, and 37.2%. Risk factor analysis for tumor recurrence revealed that total bilirubin, albumin, ICGR15, AFP-L3, tumor number, mvi, and tumor stage had a significant predictive value. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor number and mvi were significant independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. Predictive analysis for risk factors of mvi revealed that multiple tumors and AFP-L3 > 10% were significant independent risk factors for mvi in HCC classified within the Milan criteria. CONCLUSIONS The mvi was one of the independent risk factors for tumor recurrence in HCC classified within the Milan criteria. Multiple tumors and high AFP-L3 value were independent predictive factors for mvi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Imura
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Teraoku
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Masato Yoshikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Daichi Ishikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Saito
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shuichi Iwahashi
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikemoto
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
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13
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Rozeik MS, Hammam OA, Ali AI, Magdy M, Khalil H, Anas A, Abo El Hassan AA, Rahim AA, El-Shabasy AI. Evaluation of CD44 and CD133 as markers of liver cancer stem cells in Egyptian patients with HCV-induced chronic liver diseases versus hepatocellular carcinoma. Electron Physician 2017; 9:4708-4717. [PMID: 28894525 PMCID: PMC5586983 DOI: 10.19082/4708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in tumor development, progression, metastasis and recurrence. Aim To evaluate hepatic expression of CD44 and CD133 in Egyptian patients with HCV-induced chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and to assess its correlation with inflammatory activity scores, stages of fibrosis (in chronic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis) and grades of HCC. Methods This prospective case-control study was conducted on eighty subjects who attended the Tropical Diseases Department, Al-Azhar University Hospital, and in collaboration with Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (2014–2016). They were divided as follows: A) Control healthy group: Ten individuals with serologically negative HCV-Ab and HBsAg, and histopathologically normal liver, B) Seventy patients subdivided into 3 groups; Twenty subjects each, as: HCV-Ab+ non-cirrhotic, HCV-Ab+ cirrhotic and HCC. Necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in non-neoplastic liver biopsies were scored according to the METAVIR scoring system. CD44 and CD133 immunostaining was evaluated in all groups semi-quantitatively using H score. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 22, using independent-samples t-test. Results Our study showed a significant increase of mean CD44 & CD133 expression values with disease progression among the groups (p<0.05). Their expressions increased significantly with the inflammatory activity scores and stages of fibrosis, reaching the highest values in A3F4 score compared to A1F1 (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant increase of their expressions across HCC grades (p<0.05), however with no significant correlation with focal lesions size. Conclusion CSCs clusters exhibiting CD133+ and/or CD44+ profiles were identified in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC. CD133 and CD44 expressions significantly corresponded to the increased inflammatory activity, fibrosis stages and higher tumor grades. Therefore, evaluation of CD44 and CD133 expression profiles as CSCs markers in non-neoplastic liver and HCCs can help in development of novel therapeutic agents for HCC targeting and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Saeed Rozeik
- M.D., Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Olfat Ali Hammam
- M.D., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ali Ibrahim Ali
- M.D., Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona Magdy
- M.D., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | - Heba Khalil
- M.D., Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | - Amgad Anas
- M.D., Tropical Medicine Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Ali Abdel Rahim
- M.D., Tropical Medicine Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, Egypt
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14
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Kim J, Jiang J, Badawi M, Schmittgen TD. miR-221 regulates CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:709-715. [PMID: 28442344 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.04.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
CD44 and miR-221 are upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and tumors, however a connection between the two has not been identified. As the expression of miR-221 directly correlated with CD44 in HCC cells, we hypothesized that miR-221 may directly or indirectly regulate CD44 expression. Inhibition of miR-221 with antisense in Sk-Hep-1 or SNU-449 cell lines reduced CD44 protein expression while miR-221 mimic increased CD44 protein levels. miR-221 antisense did not alter the CD44 mRNA levels in Sk-Hep-1 or SNU-449 cells suggesting that regulation of CD44 protein occurs post transcriptionally. To discover miRNAs that may be involved in the miR-221 regulation of CD44, we performed miRNA profiling in SNU-449 cells treated with anti-miR-221. Several miRNAs were increased with miR-221 inhibition including miR-708-5p, a miRNA that targets CD44. As miR-221 targets several regulators of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and a link between this pathway and CD44 has been previously shown in prostate cancer, we considered miR-221 regulation of CD44 may be through this pathway. Inhibition of miR-221 reduced p-4EBP1, a downstream effector of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Likewise, inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway with the ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitor PP242 reduced CD44 protein in SNU-423 and SNU-449 cells without altering CD44 mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Kim
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jinmai Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mohamed Badawi
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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15
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Huang WY, Lin JN, Hsieh JT, Chou SC, Lai CH, Yun EJ, Lo UG, Pong RC, Lin JH, Lin YH. Nanoparticle Targeting CD44-Positive Cancer Cells for Site-Specific Drug Delivery in Prostate Cancer Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:30722-30734. [PMID: 27786455 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b10029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in adult men and is a multistage disease with therapeutic challenges of local recurrent advanced tumors and distant metastatic disease. CD44 is a multifunctional and multistructural cell surface glycoprotein that is involved in cell-cell interactions, cell proliferation, and cell migration. In the study, we produced negatively charged and biocompatible hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles as a therapeutic system for targeting CD44-positive cancer cells. Subsequently, we confirmed the delivery of bioactive epigallocatechin-3-gallate and site-specific inhibition of prostate tumor growth. In this study, hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles successfully encapsulated epigallocatechin-3-gallate and were efficiently internalized into cancer cells via CD44 ligand receptor recognition, induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and inhibited prostate cancer cell growth. Furthermore, in vivo assays indicated that these nanoparticles specifically bind CD44 receptors and increase apoptosis of cancer cells, leading to significant decreases in prostate tumor activity and tumor tissue inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ying Huang
- Department of Applied Cosmetology, Master Program of Cosmetic Science, Hung-Kuang University , Taichung 43302, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ni Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University , Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Jer-Tsong Hsieh
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Shen-Chieh Chou
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University , Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ho Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University , Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Eun-Jin Yun
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - U-Ging Lo
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Rey-Chen Pong
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Jui-Hsiang Lin
- Bio-medical Carbon Technology Co., Ltd , Taichung 40852, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsin Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University , Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
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16
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Luo Y, Tan Y. Prognostic value of CD44 expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: meta-analysis. Cancer Cell Int 2016; 16:47. [PMID: 27330410 PMCID: PMC4912706 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-016-0325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CD44 has been reported to be involved with tumor growth and metastasis and has also been implicated as a CSC marker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the prognostic value of CD44 still remains controversial; hence, we investigated the correlation between CD44 and the clinicopathological features of HCC by meta-analysis. Methods Identification and review of publications assessing clinical or prognostic significance of CD44 expression in HCC until November 1, 2015. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association between CD44 expression and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 14 publications met the criteria and comprised 2235 cases. Analysis of these data showed that CD44 expression was not significantly associated with the tumor differentiation (OR 1.48, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.85–2.60, P = 0.17), AFP level of HCC patients (OR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.52–1.33, P = 0.45), or disease-free survival (relative risk [RR] 1.15, 95 % CI, 0.85–1.54; P = 0.36). However, in the identified studies, CD44 expression was highly correlated with tumor TNM classification (OR 2.38, 95 % CI 1.23–4.60; P = 0.01) and decreased overall survival (RR 1.49, 95 % CI, 1.26–1.76; P < 0.00001). Conclusions This meta-analysis shows CD44 expression in HCC is connected with decreased overall and thus marks a worse prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangkun Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, No.55, Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yan Tan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, No.55, Section 4, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
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17
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Gao Y, Ruan B, Liu W, Wang J, Yang X, Zhang Z, Li X, Duan J, Zhang F, Ding R, Tao K, Dou K. Knockdown of CD44 inhibits the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2016; 6:7828-37. [PMID: 25797261 PMCID: PMC4480719 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence has shown that induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the the expression of CSC (cancer stem cell) markers. However, whether and how CSC markers could be involved in regulating EMT has rarely been reported. CD44, being one of the most commonly used CSC markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been demonstrated to act as a multidomain, transmembrane platform that serves to integrate a wide variety of extracellular signals. Therefore, we determined to seek whether CD44 is necessary for the EMT process in HCC. First, we noticed that CD44 expression was associated with the mesenchymal phenotype in HCC cell lines, and knocking down CD44 with lentivirus-mediated shRNA in HCC cell lines resulted in the mesenchymal-epithelial-transition (MET) and the subsequent impaired migration and invasion in vitro. Moreover, in a metastatic mice model established by tail vein injection of luciferase labelled MHCC97-H cells, we confirmed that CD44 knockdown resulted in the decreased metastasis of HCC cells. Furthermore, we found that the induction of MET by CD44 inhibition might be achieved, at least in part, by repressing the ERK/Snail pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bai Ruan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weihui Liu
- General Surgery Center of PLA, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianlin Wang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xisheng Yang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuochao Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Juanli Duan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fuqing Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreto-Splenic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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18
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Vilchez V, Turcios L, Zaytseva Y, Stewart R, Lee EY, Maynard E, Shah MB, Daily MF, Tzeng CWD, Davenport D, Castellanos AL, Krohmer S, Hosein PJ, Evers BM, Gedaly R. Cancer stem cell marker expression alone and in combination with microvascular invasion predicts poor prognosis in patients undergoing transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Surg 2016; 212:238-45. [PMID: 27033253 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cancer stem cell hypothesis provides an explanation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) heterogeneity. We investigated the expression of CD44 and CD133 alone and in combination with microvascular invasion (MVI) as predictors of prognosis in patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC. METHODS Explanted livers from 95 patients transplanted for HCC were analyzed. Marker expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence. RESULTS Seventy-seven patients were male with a mean age of 56 years. The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were hepatitis C (50%) and alcoholic liver disease (41%). Forty-one patients had laboratory model for end-stage liver disease score greater than 15. Overall survival (OS) at 1-, 3-, and 5-years was 86%, 75%, and 64%, respectively. Recurrence rate was 13% with a median follow-up of 64 months. The 5-year OS was significantly lower in those patients with MVI and CD44 (36.9%) or CD133 (40%). CD44(+) and CD133(+) correlated with increased risk of poorly differentiated HCC, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels. In combination with MVI, both markers were independently associated with increased recurrence and worse OS (recurrence P < .003, odds ratio = 8.05; P = .001, odds ratio = 9.5, survival P = .001, HR = 3.7; P = .004, HR = 3.2 respectively). CONCLUSIONS CD44 or CD133 alone and in combination with MVI are independent predictors of poor prognosis in patients undergoing transplantation for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery Vilchez
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lilia Turcios
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Rachel Stewart
- Markey Cancer Center - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Eun Y Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Erin Maynard
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Malay B Shah
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Michael F Daily
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Daniel Davenport
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Steven Krohmer
- Department of Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Peter J Hosein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Bernard Mark Evers
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Markey Cancer Center - University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Roberto Gedaly
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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Ishimoto T, Izumi D, Watanabe M, Yoshida N, Hidaka K, Miyake K, Sugihara H, Sawayama H, Imamura Y, Iwatsuki M, Iwagami S, Baba Y, Horlad H, Komohara Y, Takeya M, Baba H. Chronic inflammation with Helicobacter pylori infection is implicated in CD44 overexpression through miR-328 suppression in the gastric mucosa. J Gastroenterol 2015; 50:751-7. [PMID: 25479940 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-014-1019-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the main risk factor for development of gastric cancer. CD44 overexpression, especially that of variant 9 (CD44v9), has also been implicated in the local inflammatory response and metaplasia-carcinoma sequence in human stomach. We recently identified miR-328 as one of the microRNAs targeting CD44 in gastric cancer. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between miR-328 and CD44v9 expression in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa during the development of preneoplastic lesions. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of myeloperoxidase and CD44v9 was performed using paraffin-embedded tissue sections obtained from 54 patients who underwent gastric resection without preoperative treatment. The levels of miR-328 expression in the gastric mucosa were measured in the same patients using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Both infiltration of myeloperoxidase-positive inflammatory cells and expression of proinflammatory cytokines closely correlated with H. pylori infection in the cancer-afflicted gastric mucosa. High CD44v9 expression levels, identified in the gastric mucosa in 61 % of samples (33/54), correlated significantly with H. pylori infection in the gastric mucosa. Notably, high CD44v9 expression was significantly associated with low miR-328 expression, whereas low CD44v9 expression was significantly associated with high miR-328 expression. CONCLUSIONS We showed that miR-328 downregulation and de novo expression of CD44v9 occurred in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa adjacent to gastric cancer compared with gastric mucosa not infected with H. pylori adjacent to gastric cancer. CD44v9-overexpressing cells are known to acquire reactive oxygen species resistance; thus, these cells may avoid cell death caused by various stress inducers, which may be linked to the origin of gastric cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
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20
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Imura S, Tovuu LO, Utsunomiya T, Morine Y, Ikemoto T, Arakawa Y, Kanamoto M, Iwahashi S, Saito Y, Takasu C, Yamada S, Ishikawa D, Bando Y, Shimada M. Role of Fbxw7 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent non-tumor liver tissue. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 29:1822-9. [PMID: 24731221 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Fbxw7 is a tumor suppressor gene through ubiquitination and degradation of multiple oncoproteins. Loss of Fbxw7 expression is frequently observed in various human cancers. In the present study, we examined the role of Fbxw7 expression in both non-tumor liver tissues and tumor tissues on clinicopathological significance. METHODS Sixty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who underwent hepatectomy, were divided into two groups: high and low gene-expression group, based on the Fbxw7 expression level. We compared the clinicopathological factors between the high expression and low expression groups in both tumor and non-tumor tissues. RESULTS Fbxw7 messenger RNA expression level in the non-tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in the tumor tissues. In the analysis of Fbxw7 expression in tumor and non-tumor tissues, disease-free survival rate in the Fbxw7 high expression group was significantly higher than that in the low expression group. In multivariable analysis, Fbxw7 low expression in both tumor and non-tumor tissue was detected as the strongest independent risk factor for HCC recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Low Fbxw7 expression in both tumor and non-tumor tissue may be an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Imura
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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21
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Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with a cholangiocellular carcinoma component in one nodule. Clin J Gastroenterol 2014; 7:449-54. [PMID: 26184027 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-014-0521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) in the liver are very rare; however, several reports have described cases of a primary hepatic NEC combined with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We present the first report of a primary hepatic NEC with a cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) component in one nodule in a patient with a metachronous liver HCC. A 73-year old man who had received partial hepatectomy surgery because of a primary HCC and a primary CCC two years prior was diagnosed with a primary hepatic NEC after surgical treatment. Histological analysis of the resected tumor revealed that the tumor consisted of a predominant NEC area with a partial CCC component in one nodule and that the NEC cells were negative for markers of pancreatic NEC. Neoplastic cells in both the NEC and CCC component focally expressed CD44, a representative marker for cancer-initiating cells, and the CD44-positive cells in the NEC component were seen in the vicinity of those in the CCC component of one nodule. This case report provides suggestive information for the origin of primary hepatic NECs.
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Shan RF, Zhou YF, Peng AF, Jie ZG. Inhibition of Aurora-B suppresses HepG2 cell invasion and migration via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.. Exp Ther Med 2014; 8:1005-1009. [PMID: 25120638 PMCID: PMC4113576 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.1844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the effect of Aurora-B inhibition on HepG2 cell invasion and migration in vitro was investigated. A recombinant plasmid targeting the Aurora-B gene (MiR-Aurora-B) was used to inhibit Aurora-B expression in HepG2 cells. Cell migration and invasion were investigated using Transwell migration and invasion assays. The results demonstrated that cell invasion and migration were suppressed by inhibiting Aurora-B. In addition, the effect of Aurora-B inhibition on the activity of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway was investigated by analyzing the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Akt, NF-κB p65, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 using western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the protein expression levels of p-Akt, NF-κB p65, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were reduced significantly by inhibiting Aurora-B. Therefore, inhibition of Aurora-B was shown to suppress hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion by decreasing the activity of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Feng Shan
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yun Fei Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Ai Fen Peng
- College of Humanity, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Gang Jie
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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The role of Aurora B expression in non-tumor liver tissues of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 2013; 19:622-8. [PMID: 23893130 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-013-0593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aurora B is a serine-threonine kinase and chromosomal passenger protein involved in the control of chromosome assembly and segregation during mitosis. Aberrant expression of Aurora B has been reported in some tumors, including lung and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the role of Aurora B expression in both HCC and matched adjacent non-tumor tissue. METHODS Sixty-three patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were enrolled in this study. Aurora B expression in tumor and non-tumor tissue was examined by use of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The patients were divided into high and low gene expression groups by median value, and clinicopathological data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Aurora B expression was significantly higher in tumor tissue than in non-cancerous tissue (P < 0.001). Disease-free survival was not significantly different between groups with high and low expression in the tumor tissues. For non-tumor tissues, disease-free survival of the low-expression group was significantly better than that of the high-expression group (P < 0.05). The gene expression level of Aurora B correlated with results from liver function tests, for example prothrombin time. CONCLUSION Aurora B expression in non-cancerous tissues may be a prognostic factor for HCC.
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