Transforming growth factor-beta in cancer and metastasis

Structure, unique biological properties, and mechanisms of action of transforming growth factor β

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous molecule that is extremely conserved structurally and plays a systemic role in human organism. TGF-β is a homodimeric molecule consisting of two subunits joined through a disulphide bond. In mammals, three genes code for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 isoforms of this cytokine with a dominating expression of TGF-β1. Virtually, all normal cells contain TGF-β and its specific receptors. Considering the exceptional role of fine balance played by the TGF-β in anumber of physiological and pathological processes in human body, this cytokine may be proposed for use in medicine as an immunosuppressant in transplantology, wound healing and bone repair. TGFb itself is an important target in oncology. Strategies for blocking members of TGF-β signaling pathway as therapeutic targets have been considered. In this review, signalling mechanisms of TGF-β1 action are addressed, and their role in physiology and pathology with main focus on carcinogenesis are described.

Alterations of ceramide synthesis induce PD-L1 internalization and signaling to regulate tumor metastasis and immunotherapy response

Programmed death ligand 1, PD-L1 (CD274), facilitates immune evasion and exerts pro-survival functions in cancer cells. Here, we report a mechanism whereby internalization of PD-L1 in response to alterations of bioactive lipid/ceramide metabolism by ceramide synthase 4 (CerS4) induces sonic hedgehog (Shh) and transforming growth factor β receptor signaling to enhance tumor metastasis in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), exhibiting immunotherapy resistance. Mechanistically, data showed that internalized PD-L1 interacts with an RNA-binding protein, caprin-1, to stabilize Shh/TGFBR1/Wnt mRNAs to induce β-catenin signaling and TNBC growth/metastasis, consistent with increased infiltration of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and resistance to immunotherapy. While mammary tumors developed in MMTV-PyMT/CerS4-/- were highly metastatic, targeting the Shh/PD-L1 axis using sonidegib and anti-PD-L1 antibody vastly decreased tumor growth and metastasis, consistent with the inhibition of PD-L1 internalization and Shh/Wnt signaling, restoring anti-tumor immune response. These data, validated in clinical samples and databases, provide a mechanism-based therapeutic strategy to improve immunotherapy responses in metastatic TNBCs.

Single dual-specific anti-PD-L1/TGF-β antibody synergizes with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a preclinical experimental study

AIMS

Chemotherapy resistance is an important cause of neoadjuvant therapy failure in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). BiTP (anti-PD-L1/TGF-β bispecific antibody) is a single antibody that can simultaneously and dually target transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). We attempted in this study to investigate the efficacy of BiTP in combination with first-line chemotherapy in PDAC.

METHODS

Preclinical assessments of BiTP plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel were completed through a resectable KPC mouse model (C57BL/6J). Spectral flow cytometry, tissue section staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Counting Kit-8, transwell, and Western blot assays were used to investigate the synergistic effects.

RESULTS

BiTP combinatorial chemotherapy in neoadjuvant settings significantly downstaged PDAC tumors, enhanced survival, and had a higher resectability for mice with PDAC. BiTP was high affinity binding to targets and reverse chemotherapy resistance of PDAC cells. The combination overcame immune evasion through reprogramming tumor microenvironment via increasing penetration and function of T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells and decreasing the function of immunosuppression-related cells as regulatory T cells, M2 macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the BiTP combinatorial chemotherapy is a promising neoadjuvant therapy for PDAC.

Machine learning identifies a 5-serum cytokine panel for the early detection of chronic atrophy gastritis patients

BACKGROUND

Chronic atrophy gastritis (CAG) is a high-risk pre-cancerous lesion for gastric cancer (GC). The early and accurate detection and discrimination of CAG from benign forms of gastritis (e.g. chronic superficial gastritis, CSG) is critical for optimal management of GC. However, accurate non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of CAG are currently lacking. Cytokines cause inflammation and drive cancer transformation in GC, but their utility as a diagnostic for CAG is poorly characterized.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected, and 40 cytokines were quantified using a multiplexed immunoassay from 247 patients undergoing screening via endoscopy. Patients were divided into discovery and validation sets. Each cytokine importance was ranked using the feature selection algorithm Boruta. The cytokines with the highest feature importance were selected for machine learning (ML), using the LightGBM algorithm.

RESULTS

Five serum cytokines (IL-10, TNF-α, Eotaxin, IP-10 and SDF-1a) that could discriminate between CAG and CSG patients were identified and used for predictive model construction. This model was robust and could identify CAG patients with high performance (AUC = 0.88, Accuracy = 0.78). This compared favorably to the conventional approach using the PGI/PGII ratio (AUC = 0.59).

CONCLUSION

Using state-of-the-art ML and a blood-based immunoassay, we developed an improved non-invasive screening method for the detection of precancerous GC lesions.

FUNDING

Supported in part by grants from: Jiangsu Science and Technology Project (no. BK20211039); Top Talent Support Program for young and middle-aged people of Wuxi Health Committee (BJ2023008); Medical Key Discipline Program of Wuxi Health Commission (ZDXK2021010), Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau Project (no. N20201004); Scientific Research Program of Wuxi Health Commission (Z202208, J202104).

Quercetin in Oncology: A Phytochemical with Immense Therapeutic Potential

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with various pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antiviral activities. Looking at these enormous potentials, researchers have explored how they can be used to manage numerous cancers. It's been studied for cancer management due to its anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic, and antiproliferative mechanisms. Despite having these proven pharmacological activities, the clinical use of quercetin is limited due to its first-- pass metabolism, poor solubility, and bioavailability. To address these shortcomings, researchers have fabricated various nanocarriers-based formulations to fight cancer. The present review overshadows the pharmacological potential, mechanisms, and application of nanoformulations against different cancers. Teaser: Explore the potential of Quercetin, a natural flavonoid with diverse pharmacological activities, and its nanoformulations in managing various cancers.

Prediction of cell migration potential on human breast cancer cells treated with Albizia lebbeck ethanolic extract using extreme machine learning

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in the modern world, and the incidence varies considerably based on race, ethnicity, and region. Novel cancer treatments, such as surgery and immunotherapy, are ineffective and expensive. In this situation, ion channels responsible for cell migration have appeared to be the most promising targets for cancer treatment. This research presents findings on the organic compounds present in Albizia lebbeck ethanolic extracts (ALEE), as well as their impact on the anti-migratory, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic potentials on MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) based models, multilayer perceptron (MLP), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and extreme learning machine (ELM) were performed to predict in vitro cancer cell migration on both cell lines, based on our experimental data. The organic compounds composition of the ALEE was studied using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Cytotoxicity, anti-proliferations, and anti-migratory activity of the extract using Tryphan Blue, MTT, and Wound Heal assay, respectively. Among the various concentrations (2.5-200 μg/mL) of the ALEE that were used in our study, 2.5-10 μg/mL revealed anti-migratory potential with increased concentrations, and they did not show any effect on the proliferation of the cells (P < 0.05; n ≥ 3). Furthermore, the three data-driven models, Multi-layer perceptron (MLP), Extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and Extreme learning machine (ELM), predict the potential migration ability of the extract on the treated cells based on our experimental data. Overall, the concentrations of the plant extract that do not affect the proliferation of the type cells used demonstrated promising effects in reducing cell migration. XGB outperformed the MLP and ELM models and increased their performance efficiency by up to 3% and 1% for MCF and 1% and 2% for MDA-MB231, respectively, in the testing phase.

Heterotypic communication as the promoter of phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells: The role of cancer secretomes

Cellular communication relies on signaling circuits whose statuses are mainly modulated by soluble biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and metabolites as well as extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, the active secretion of such biomolecules is critical for both cell homeostasis and proper pathophysiological responses in a timely fashion. In this context, proteins are among the main modulators of such biological responses. Hence, profiling cell line secretomes may be an opportunity for the identification of "signatures" of specific cell types (i.e., stromal or metastatic cells) with important prognostic/therapeutic value. This review will focus on the biological implications of cell secretomes in the context of cancer, as well as their functional roles in shaping the tumoral microenvironment (TME) and communication status of participating cells.

Effects of metalloprotease ADAMTS12 on cervical cancer cell phenotype and its potential mechanism

ADAMTS12 is a gene widely expressed in human tissues. We studied the expression level of ADAMTS12 in cervical cancer tissue and its relationship with clinicopathological features. We also explored the function of ADAMTS12 in cervical cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms. We found the higher expression level of ADAMTS12 in cancer tissues, which was associated with the worse overall survival rate. The immunofluorescence assay showed that the cytoplasm of cervical cancer cells is the main expression site of ADAMTS12. Overexpression of ADAMTS12 in HeLa and CaSki cells prominently promoted the cell proliferation, migration and invasion. We found that 2032 genes were correlated with ADAMTS12, which was mainly related to extracellular matrix, TGF-β signaling pathway. The phosphorylation levels of mTOR and 4E-BP1 were upregulated in ADAMTS12-overexpressing cells. Co-Immunoprecipitation combined with protein mass spectrometry showed that TGF-β signaling pathway-related proteins interacting with ADAMTS12 were screened from HeLa cells with ADAMTS12 overexpression. Therefore, we concluded that ADAMTS12 may affect the mTOR signaling pathway through the interacting with TGF-β1, and then affect the biological function of cervical cancer cells.

Proteogenomic analysis of chemo-refractory high-grade serous ovarian cancer

To improve the understanding of chemo-refractory high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs), we characterized the proteogenomic landscape of 242 (refractory and sensitive) HGSOCs, representing one discovery and two validation cohorts across two biospecimen types (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and frozen). We identified a 64-protein signature that predicts with high specificity a subset of HGSOCs refractory to initial platinum-based therapy and is validated in two independent patient cohorts. We detected significant association between lack of Ch17 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and chemo-refractoriness. Based on pathway protein expression, we identified 5 clusters of HGSOC, which validated across two independent patient cohorts and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. These clusters may represent different mechanisms of refractoriness and implicate putative therapeutic vulnerabilities.

WDR74 facilitates TGF-β/Smad pathway activation to promote M2 macrophage polarization and diabetic foot ulcer wound healing in mice

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a devastating component of diabetes progression, leading to decreased quality of life and increased mortality in diabetic patients. The underlying mechanism of DFU is not completely understood. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the mechanism involved in wound healing in mouse models of DFU. Gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed to study the roles that WDR74 and TGF-β play in mouse models of DFU and primary bone marrow-derived mouse macrophages. M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypic markers, extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and angiogenic makers were determined by RT-qPCR and/or Western blot analysis. Localization of these proteins was determined by immunofluorescence staining and/or immunohistochemistry. Interaction between WDR74 with Smad2/3 in macrophages was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. We found that WDR74 and M2 macrophages were decreased in wound tissues from DFU mice. TGF-β/Smad pathway activation increased the expression of M2 macrophage markers (arginase-1 and YM1), IL-4, while decreased expression of M1 macrophage marker (iNOS). TGF-β/Smad pathway activation also increased the production of ECM and promoted the wound closure in diabetic mice. We also noticed that WDR74 overexpression increased Smad2/3 phosphorylation, elevated the population of M2 macrophage and ECM production, and alleviated DFU. LY2109761 treatment normalized effects of TGF-β or WDR74 overexpression. In conclusion, WDR74 promoted M2 macrophage polarization, leading to improved DFU in mice, through activation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Graphical Headlights 1. WDR74 promotes M2 macrophage polarization and ECM production. 2. WDR74 activates the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. 3. TGF-β/Smad activation promotes M2 macrophage polarization in murine DFU. 4. WDR74 enhances wound healing in murine DFU.

Novel therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer: moving beyond cytotoxic chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Prognosis of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) remains disappointing with a 5-year overall survival of only 3-5%. Compared to other cancers, the evolution in standard therapeutic options has been stagnant and polychemotherapy regimens (with well-known toxicity profile and resistance pattern) remain standard of care. Only for patients (5%-7%) with a breast cancer gene (BRCA) pathogenic germline variant, prognosis has improved by the use of olaparib (poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor).

AREAS COVERED

This review covers emerging treatment strategies in the management of mPDAC. One of the main topics is the rigid and immunological cold tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC and the search for agents that impact this TME and/or engage the immune system. In addition, the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has elicited for some patients new targeted therapies directed at alterations in the RTK/RAS/MAPK pathway and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage repair pathway. Other evolving treatment strategies are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

The search for new, often combination, treatment strategies for mPDAC should be encouraged and implemented in early treatment lines given the significant decline of performance status of patients in later lines. NGS analysis should be used where available, although cost-effectiveness could be debatable.

Multicenter analysis of immunosuppressive medications on the risk of malignancy following adult solid organ transplantation

Objective

This study aimed to assess the risk of maintenance immunosuppression on the post-transplant risk of malignancy across all solid organ transplant types.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter hospital system in the United States. The electronic health record was queried from 2000 to 2021 for cases of solid organ transplant, immunosuppressive medications, and post-transplant malignancy.

Results

A total of 5,591 patients, 6,142 transplanted organs, and 517 post-transplant malignancies were identified. Skin cancer was the most common type of malignancy at 52.8%, whereas liver cancer was the first malignancy to present at a median time of 351 days post-transplant. Heart and lung transplant recipients had the highest rate of malignancy, but this finding was not significant upon adjusting for immunosuppressive medications (heart HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.72 - 1.3, p = 0.88; lung HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.77 - 1.33, p = 0.94). Random forest variable importance calculations and time-dependent multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis identified an increased risk of cancer in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with sirolimus (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.9, p = 0.04), azathioprine (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.58 - 2.79, p < 0.001), and cyclosporine (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17 - 2.17, p = 0.007), while tacrolimus (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44 - 0.81, p < 0.001) was associated with low rates of post-transplant neoplasia.

Conclusion

Our results show varying risks of immunosuppressive medications associated with the development of post-transplant malignancy, demonstrating the importance of cancer detection and surveillance strategies in solid organ transplant recipients.

Gintonin Isolated from Ginseng Inhibits the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced by TGF-β in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EM transition) is a process wherein epithelial cells lose their intrinsic characteristics and cell-cell junctions and differentiate into a mesenchymal phenotype. EM transition is an important feature of cancer invasion and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of gintonin (GT), an ingredient of ginseng, on EM transition using A549 cells. The proliferation of A549 cells was enhanced following treatment with 50, 75, and 100 μg/mL of GT. GT affected EM transition-induced gene and protein expression, specifically that of vimentin (Vim), N-cadherin (N-cad), zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1, and Twist in A549 cells. Furthermore, the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 was suppressed by GT treatment. Immunofluorescence staining also showed that GT treatment decreased the TGF-β1-induced expression of Vim and N-cad in A549 cells. Therefore, GT may be used to suppress cancer cell metastasis via maintenance of the cell-cell junction's integrity. However, further studies are required to pave the way for its translation into clinical application in cancer therapeutics.

Understanding the relationship between cancer associated cachexia and hypoxia-inducible factor-1

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by an unrestricted loss of body weight as a result of muscle and adipose tissue atrophy. Cachexia is influenced by several factors, including decreased metabolic activity and food intake, an imbalance between energy uptake and expenditure, excessive catabolism, and inflammation. Cachexia is highly associated with all types of cancers responsible for more than half of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. In healthy individuals, adipose tissue significantly regulates energy balance and glucose homeostasis. However, in metastatic cancer patients, CAC occurs mainly because of an imbalance between muscle protein synthesis and degradation which are organized by certain extracellular ligands and associated signaling pathways. Under hypoxic conditions, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) accumulated and translocated to the nucleus and activate numerous genes involved in cell survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, metabolic reprogramming, and cancer stemness. On the other hand, the ubiquitination proteasome pathway is inhibited during low O2 levels which promote muscle wasting in cancer patients. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of the HIF-1 pathway and its metabolic adaptation to biomolecules is important for developing a novel therapeutic method for cancer and cachexia therapy. Even though many HIF inhibitors are already in a clinical trial, their mechanism of action remains unknown. With this background, this review summarizes the basic concepts of cachexia, the role of inflammatory cytokines, pathways connected with cachexia with special reference to the HIF-1 pathway and its regulation, metabolic changes, and inhibitors of HIFs.

Anoikis in phenotypic reprogramming of the prostate tumor microenvironment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in males wherein 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. The urgency to find novel therapeutic interventions is associated with high treatment resistance and mortality rates associated with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Anoikis is an apoptotic phenomenon for normal epithelial or endothelial cells that have lost their attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Tumor cells that lose their connection to the ECM can die via apoptosis or survive via anoikis resistance and thus escaping to distant organs for metastatic progression. This review discusses the recent advances made in our understanding of the signaling effectors of anoikis in prostate cancer and the approaches to translate these mechanistic insights into therapeutic benefits for reducing lethal disease outcomes (by overcoming anoikis resistance). The prostate tumor microenvironment is a highly dynamic landscape wherein the balance between androgen signaling, cell lineage changes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix interactions, actin cytoskeleton remodeling as well as metabolic changes, confer anoikis resistance and metastatic spread. Thus, these mechanisms also offer unique molecular treatment signatures, exploitation of which can prime prostate tumors to anoikis induction with a high translational significance.

DNAJB4 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cell apoptosis via activation of the Hippo signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is currently the most malignant subtype of breast cancer without effective targeted therapies. DNAJB4 (Dnaj heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B4) is a member of the human heat shock protein family (Hsp40). The clinical significance of DNAJB4 in breast cancer has been reported in our previous study. However, the biological function of DNAJB4 in TNBC cell apoptosis remains unclear to date.

METHODS

The expression of DNAJB4 in normal breast cells, breast cancer cells, four-paired TNBC tissues, and adjacent noncancerous tissues was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assay. The role of DNAJB4 in TNBC cell apoptosis was investigated using a number of gain- and loss-of-function in vitro and in vivo assays. The underlying molecular mechanisms in TNBC cell apoptosis were elucidated via Western blot assay.

RESULTS

DNAJB4 expression was significantly downregulated in TNBC tissues and cell lines. DNAJB4 knockdown inhibited TNBC cell apoptosis and promoted tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo, but DNAJB4 overexpression resulted in the opposite. Mechanically, DNAJB4 knockdown inhibited TNBC cell apoptosis through suppression of the Hippo signaling pathway, and the result was reversed after DNAJB4 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

DNAJB4 promotes TNBC cell apoptosis by activating the Hippo signaling pathway. Therefore, DNAJB4 may act as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.

Biochanin A in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection: effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis

Biochanin A (BCA) is a multifunctional natural compound that possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BCA on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Fifty mice were divided into six different groups as non-infected, non-infected BCA-treated, infected untreated, early infected BCA-treated (seven days post-infection (dpi)), late infected BCA-treated 60 dpi and infected praziquantel (PZQ)-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were investigated in liver sections. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression of S. mansoni was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A single dose of BCA significantly reduced worm burden in early (82.14%) and late infection (77.74%), mean tissue egg load in early (7.27 ± 0.495) and late BCA administration (7.63 ± 0.435) and decreased granuloma size. CYP450 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in early BCA treatment as compared to late treatment which emphasizes that early administration of BCA had more pronounced effects on worms than late administration. Both early and late BCA administration led to significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines as TGF and iNOS. Although the reduction of TGF and iNOS in BCA-treated mice was superior to PZQ, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, a significant downregulation of COX2 was noted in hepatocytes as compared to both infected control and PZQ-treated mice. BCA has schistosomicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and could be regarded as a potential drug in schistosomiasis treatment.

Infiltrating CD8+ T cells and M2 macrophages are retained in tumor matrix tracks enriched in low tension fibronectin fibers

Tracks rich in matrix and cells, as described in several cancer types, have immunosuppressive functions and separate tumor nests and stroma, yet their origin is unknown. Immunostainings of cryosections from mouse breast tumors show that these tracks are bordered by an endothelial-like basement membrane, filled with fibers of collagen adjacent to tenascin-C (TNC) and low-tension fibronectin (Fn) fibers. While present in early-stage tumors and maturing with time, tracks still form under TNC KO conditions, however, host (not tumor cell)-derived TNC is important for track maturation. Tumor infiltrating leukocytes (mostly M2 macrophages and CD8+ T cells) are retained in tracks of early-stage tumors. Following track maturation, retained tumor infiltrating leukocyte (TIL) numbers get reduced and more CD8+ TIL enter the tumor nests in the absence of TNC. As these tracks are enriched with platelets and fibrinogen and have a demarcating endothelial-like basement membrane often adjacent to endothelial cells, this suggests a role of blood vessels in the formation of these tracks. The Fn fiber tension probe FnBPA5 colocalizes with TNC and immune cells in the tracks and shows decreased binding in tracks lacking TNC. Consequently, FnBPA5 can serve as probe for tumor matrix tracks that have immune suppressive properties.

Tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer: Cytokines in the game?

Bladder cancer (BlCa) is a highly immunogenic cancer. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients and, recently, second-line immunotherapies have arisen to treat metastatic BlCa patients. Understanding the interactions between tumor cells, immune cells and soluble factors in bladder tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Cytokines and chemokines released in the TME have a dual role, since they can exhibit both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory potential, driving infiltration and inflammation, and also promoting evasion of immune system and pro-tumoral effects. In BlCa disease, 70-80% are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, while 20-30% are muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) at the time of diagnosis. However, during the follow up, about half of treated NMIBC patients recur once or more, with 5-25% progressing to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which represents a significant concern to the clinic. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one biological process associated with tumor progression. Specific cytokines present in bladder TME have been related with signaling pathways activation and EMT-related molecules regulation. In this review, we summarized the immune landscape in BlCa TME, along with the most relevant cytokines and their putative role in driving EMT processes, tumor progression, invasion, migration and metastasis formation.

The effects of ALK5 inhibition and simultaneous inhibition or activation of HIF-1α in melanoma tumor growth and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is the most common signature of the tumor microenvironment that drives tumorigenesis through the complex crosstalk of a family of transcription factors called hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), with other intercellular signaling networks. Hypoxia increases transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression. TGF-β and HIF-1α play critical roles in several malignancies and their interactions in melanoma progression remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of inhibiting activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK5), a TGF-β receptor, on the response to HIF-1α activation or inhibition in melanoma tumor progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tumors were induced in C57BL/6J mice by subcutaneous inoculation with B16F10 melanoma cells. Mice were divided into HIF-1α inhibitor, ALK5 inhibitor (1 mg/kg) and HIF-1α inhibitor (100 mg/kg), ALK5 inhibitor, HIF-1α activator (1000 mg/kg), HIF-1α activator and ALK5 inhibitor, and control groups to receive inhibitors and activators through intraperitoneal injection. The expression of E-cadherin was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Vessel density and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR)-β+ cells around the vessels were investigated using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The groups receiving HIF-1α inhibitor and activator showed lower and higher tumor growth compared to the control group, respectively. E-cadherin expression decreased in all groups compared to the control group, illustrating the dual function of E-cadherin in the tumor microenvironment. Vascular density was reduced in the groups given HIF-1α inhibitor, ALK5 inhibitor, and ALK5 and HIF-1α inhibitor simultaneously. The percentage of PDGFR-β+ cells was reduced in the presence of HIF-1α inhibitor, ALK5 inhibitor, HIF-1α and ALK5 inhibitors, and upon simultaneous treatment with HIF-1α activator and ALK5 inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

Despite increased expression and interaction between TGF-β and HIF-1α pathways in some cancers, in melanoma, inhibition of either pathway alone may have a stronger effect on tumor inhibition than simultaneous inhibition of both pathways. The synergistic effects may be context-dependent and should be further evaluated in different cancer types.

Angiotensin receptor blockade and stereotactic body radiation therapy for early stage lung cancer ARB & SBRT for early stage lung cancer

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) demonstrates excellent local control in early stage lung cancer, however a quarter of patients develop recurrence or distant metastasis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) supports metastasis and treatment resistance, and angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB) indirectly suppresses TGF-β signaling. This study investigates whether patients taking ARBs while undergoing SBRT for early stage lung cancer exhibited improved overall survival (OS) or recurrence free survival (RFS) compared to patients not taking ARBs. This was a single institution retrospective analysis of 272 patients treated with SBRT for early stage lung cancer between 2009 and 2018. Patient health data was abstracted from the electronic medical record. OS and RFS were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was used to compare unadjusted survival between groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Of 247 patients analyzed, 24 (10%) patients took ARBs for the duration of radiotherapy. There was no difference in mean age, median tumor diameter, or median biologic effective dose between patients taking ARBs or not. Patients taking ARBs exhibited increased OS (ARB = 96.7 mo.; no ARB = 43.3 mo.; HR = 0.25 [95% CI: 0.10 to 0.62, P = .003]) and increased RFS (median RFS, ARB = 64.3 mo.; No ARB = 35.1 mo.; HR = 0.26 [95% CI: 0.10 to 0.63, P = .003]). These effects were not seen in patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or statins. ARB use while undergoing SBRT for early stage lung cancer may increase OS and RFS, but ACEI use does not show the same effect.

Next-generation immunotherapy for solid tumors: combination immunotherapy with crosstalk blockade of TGFβ and PD-1/PD-L1

INTRODUCTION

In solid tumor immunotherapy, less than 20% of patients respond to anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) agents. The role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) in diverse immunity is well-established; however, systemic blockade of TGFβ is associated with toxicity. Accumulating evidence suggests the role of crosstalk between TGFβ and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways.

AREAS COVERED

We focus on TGFβ and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway crosstalk and the determinant role of TGFβ in the resistance of immune checkpoint blockade. We provide the rationale for combination anti-TGFβ and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies for solid tumors and discuss the current status of dual blockade therapy in preclinical and clinical studies.

EXPERT OPINION

The heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment across solid tumors complicates patient selection, treatment regimens, and response and toxicity assessment for investigation of dual blockade agents. However, clinical knowledge from single-agent studies provides infrastructure to translate dual blockade therapies. Dual TGFβ and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade results in enhanced T-cell infiltration into tumors, a primary requisite for successful immunotherapy. A bifunctional fusion protein specifically targets TGFβ in the tumor microenvironment, avoiding systemic toxicity, and prevents interaction of PD-1+ cytotoxic cells with PD-L1+ tumor cells.

Biology of cancer; from cellular and molecular mechanisms to developmental processes and adaptation

Cancer research has been largely focused on the cellular and molecular levels of investigation. Recent data show that not only the cell but also the extracellular matrix plays a major role in the progression of malignancy. In this way, the cells and the extracellular matrix create a specific local microenvironment that supports malignant development. At the same time, cancer implies a systemic evolution which is closely related to developmental processes and adaptation. Consequently, there is currently a real gap between the local investigation of cancer at the microenvironmental level, and the pathophysiological approach to cancer as a systemic disease. In fact, the cells and the matrix are not only complementary structures but also interdependent components that act synergistically. Such relationships lead to cell-matrix integration, a supracellular form of biological organization that supports tissue development. The emergence of this supracellular level of organization, as a structure, leads to the emergence of the supracellular control of proliferation, as a supracellular function. In humans, proliferation is generally involved in developmental processes and adaptation. These processes suppose a specific configuration at the systemic level, which generates high-order guidance for local supracellular control of proliferation. In conclusion, the supracellular control of proliferation act as an interface between the downstream level of cell division and differentiation, and upstream level of developmental processes and adaptation. Understanding these processes and their disorders is useful not only to complete the big picture of malignancy as a systemic disease, but also to open new treatment perspectives in the form of etiopathogenic (supracellular or informational) therapies.

Macrophage subsets and their role: co-relation with colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor and clinical relevance

Macrophages are one of the first innate immune cells to reach the site of infection or injury. Diverse functions from the uptake of pathogen or antigen, its killing, and presentation, the release of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, activation of adaptive immune cells, clearing off tissue debris, tissue repair, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis have been attributed to macrophages. Besides tissue-resident macrophages, the circulating macrophages are recruited to different tissues to get activated. These are highly plastic cells, showing a spectrum of phenotypes depending on the stimulus received from their immediate environment. The macrophage differentiation requires colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), colony-stimulating factor-2 (CSF-2), or granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and different stimuli activate them to different phenotypes. The richness of tissue macrophages is precisely controlled via the CSF-1 and CSF-1R axis. In this review, we have given an overview of macrophage origin via hematopoiesis/myelopoiesis, different phenotypes associated with macrophages, their clinical significance, and how they are altered in various diseases. We have specifically focused on the function of CSF-1/CSF-1R signaling in deciding macrophage fate and the outcome of aberrant CSF-1R signaling in relation to macrophage phenotype in different diseases. We further extend the review to briefly discuss the possible strategies to manipulate CSF-1R and its signaling with the recent updates.

microRNA-145-5p inhibits prostate cancer bone metastatic by modulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Objective

To investigate the effects of miRNA-145-5p on the tumor development and progression of prostate cancer (Pca) bone metastasis.

Methods

Levels of miRNA-145-5p were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR in PC3 (bone metastatic Pca cells), 22RV1 (non-metastatic Pca cells), RWPE-1 (non-cancerous prostate epithelial cells) and Pca tissues collected from patients with and without bone metastases. The impact of miRNA-145-5p on cell proliferation was tested by CCK8 assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometric cell cycle analysis. Effects on invasion and migration of PC3 cells were determined by Transwell and wound healing assays. Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry apoptosis analyses were also performed to assess roles in metastasis.

Results

Levels of miRNA-145-5p were decreased in Pca bone metastases and miRNA-145-5p inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. miRNA-145-5p inhibited the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in PC3 cells. miR-145-5p increased the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9). It was found that miRNA-145-5p mediated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induced apoptosis.

Conclusions

miRNA-145-5p negatively regulated the EMT, inhibited Pca bone metastasis and promoted apoptosis in Pca bone metastasis. Mimicry of miRNA-145-5p action raises the possibility of a novel target for treating Pca with bone metastases.

Microenvironmentally optimized 3D-printed TGFβ-functionalized scaffolds facilitate endogenous cartilage regeneration in sheep

Clinically, microfracture is the most commonly applied surgical technique for cartilage defects. However, an increasing number of studies have shown that the clinical improvement remains questionable, and the reason remains unclear. Notably, recent discoveries revealed that signals from regenerated niches play a critical role in determining mesenchymal stem cell fate specification and differentiation. We speculate that a microenvironmentally optimized scaffold that directs mesenchymal stem cell fate will be a good therapeutic strategy for cartilage repair. Therefore, we first explored the deficiency of microfractures in cartilage repair. The microfracture not only induced inflammatory cell aggregation in blood clots but also consisted of loose granulation tissue with increased levels of proteins related to fibrogenesis. We then fabricated a functional cartilage scaffold using two strong bioactive cues, transforming growth factor-β3 and decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix, to modulate the cell fate of mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, poly(ε-caprolactone) was also coprinted with extracellular matrix-based bioinks to provide early mechanical support. The in vitro studies showed that microenvironmentally optimized scaffolds exert powerful effects on modulating the mesenchymal stem cell fate, such as promoting cell migration, proliferation and chondrogenesis. Importantly, this strategy achieved superior regeneration in sheep via scaffolds with biomechanics (restored well-organized collagen orientation) and antiapoptotic properties (cell death-related genes were also downregulated). In summary, this study provides evidence that microenvironmentally optimized scaffolds improve cartilage regeneration in situ by regulating the microenvironment and support further translation in human cartilage repair. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although microfracture (MF)-based treatment for chondral defects has been commonly used, critical gaps exist in understanding the biochemistry of MF-induced repaired tissue. More importantly, the clinically unsatisfactory effects of MF treatment have prompted researchers to focus on tissue engineering scaffolds that may have sufficient therapeutic efficacy. In this manuscript, a 3D printing ink containing cartilage tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM), methacrylate gelatin (GelMA), and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3)-embedded polylactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres was coprinted with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds for chondral defect repair. The sustained release of TGF-β3 from scaffolds successfully directed endogenous stem/progenitor cell migration and differentiation. This microenvironmentally optimized scaffold produced improved tissue repair outcomes in the sheep animal model, explicitly guiding more organized neotissue formation and therefore recapitulating the anisotropic structure of native articular cartilage. We hypothesized that the cell-free scaffolds might improve the clinical applicability and become a new therapeutic option for chondral defect repair.

Cell Trafficking at the Intersection of the Tumor-Immune Compartments

Migration is an essential cellular process that regulates human organ development and homeostasis as well as disease initiation and progression. In cancer, immune and tumor cell migration is strongly associated with immune cell infiltration, immune escape, and tumor cell metastasis, which ultimately account for more than 90% of cancer deaths. The biophysics and molecular regulation of the migration of cancer and immune cells have been extensively studied separately. However, accumulating evidence indicates that, in the tumor microenvironment, the motilities of immune and cancer cells are highly interdependent via secreted factors such as cytokines and chemokines. Tumor and immune cells constantly express these soluble factors, which produce a tightly intertwined regulatory network for these cells' respective migration. A mechanistic understanding of the reciprocal regulation of soluble factor-mediated cell migration can provide critical information for the development of new biomarkers of tumor progression and of tumor response to immuno-oncological treatments. We review the biophysical andbiomolecular basis for the migration of immune and tumor cells and their associated reciprocal regulatory network. We also describe ongoing attempts to translate this knowledge into the clinic.

Significance of combined TGF-β1 and survivin expression on the prognosis of patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Compared with other types of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the characteristics of rapid progression, a lack of specific molecular targets for treatment and a poor prognosis. However, based on previously published studies, TGF-β1 and survivin are potentially meaningful for the prognosis of patients with TNBC. The present study was therefore designed to measure and compare the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and survivin in tissue samples of TNBC and non-TNBC patients in order to evaluate their ability as prognostic indicators. In total, 90 TNBC and 52 non-TNBC tissue specimens were selected, following which immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 and survivin in the cancer tissues. Subsequently, the potential association between the expression levels of these two proteins and the clinicopathological variables was analyzed. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and survivin in TNBC tissues were found to be significantly higher compared with those in the non-TNBC tissues. In addition, the results of the present study demonstrated that TGF-β1 expression was positively associated with survivin expression in the TNBC samples, but no significant correlation was found between TGF-β1 and survivin expression in the non-TNBC samples. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis was performed to assess the levels of TGF-β1 and survivin in regard to patient survival, and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses of TGF-β1 and survivin protein expression were performed to analyze the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of patients with TNBC and non-TNBC. Although multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that neither TGF-β1 or survivin were independent prognostic predictors of TNBC or non-TNBC, results of the K-M curve revealed that patients with TNBC with TGF-β1- and survivin-positive breast cancer exhibited shorter OS and PFS times. Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that in patients with TNBC, the combined expression of TGF-β1 and survivin may yield additional prognostic information, compared with patients with non-TNBC.

TGF-β1 induced autophagy in cancer associated fibroblasts during hypoxia contributes EMT and glycolysis via MCT4 upregulation

The Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF- β1) in the tumor microenvironment(TME) is the major cytokine that acts as a mediator of tumor-stroma crosstalk, which in fact has a dual role in either promoting or suppressing tumor development. The cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cell types in the TME, and the interaction with most of the epithelial cancers is the prime reason for cancer survival. However, the molecular mechanisms, associated with the TGF- β1 induced tumor promotion through tumor-CAF crosstalk are not well understood. In the Reverse Warburg effect, CAFs feed the adjacent cancer cells by lactate produced during the aerobic glycolysis. We hypothesized that the monocarboxylate transporter, MCT4 which is implicated in lactate efflux from the CAFs, must be overexpressed in the CAFs. Contextually, to explore the role of TGF- β1 in the hypoxia-induced autophagy in CAFs, we treated CoCl₂ and external TGF- β1 to the human dermal fibroblasts and L929 murine fibroblasts. We demonstrated that hypoxia accelerated the TGF- β1 signaling and subsequent transformation of normal fibroblasts to CAFs. Moreover, we elucidated that synergistic induction of autophagy by hypoxia and TGF- β1 upregulate the aerobic glycolysis and MCT4 expression in CAFs. Furthermore, we showed a positive correlation between glucose consumption and MCT4 expression in the CAFs. Autophagy was also found to be involved in the EMT in hypoxic CAFs. Collectively, these findings reveal the unappreciated role of autophagy in TME, which enhances the CAF transformation and that promotes tumor migration and metastasis via the reverse Warburg effect.

Spatial dynamics of feedback and feedforward regulation in cell lineages

Feedback mechanisms within cell lineages are thought to be important for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Mathematical models that assume well-mixed cell populations, together with experimental data, have suggested that negative feedback from differentiated cells on the stem cell self-renewal probability can maintain a stable equilibrium and hence homeostasis. Cell lineage dynamics, however, are characterized by spatial structure, which can lead to different properties. Here, we investigate these dynamics using spatially explicit computational models, including cell division, differentiation, death, and migration / diffusion processes. According to these models, the negative feedback loop on stem cell self-renewal fails to maintain homeostasis, both under the assumption of strong spatial restrictions and fast migration / diffusion. Although homeostasis cannot be maintained, this feedback can regulate cell density and promote the formation of spatial structures in the model. Tissue homeostasis, however, can be achieved if spatially restricted negative feedback on self-renewal is combined with an experimentally documented spatial feedforward loop, in which stem cells regulate the fate of transit amplifying cells. This indicates that the dynamics of feedback regulation in tissue cell lineages are more complex than previously thought, and that combinations of spatially explicit control mechanisms are likely instrumental.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer: Challenges and opportunities

The tumor microenvironment is proposed to contribute substantially to the progression of cancers, including breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Studies have revealed that CAFs in breast cancer originate from several types of cells and promote breast cancer malignancy by secreting factors, generating exosomes, releasing nutrients, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and suppressing the function of immune cells. CAFs are also becoming therapeutic targets for breast cancer due to their specific distribution in tumors and their unique biomarkers. Agents interrupting the effect of CAFs on surrounding cells have been developed and applied in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed studies examining the heterogeneity of CAFs in breast cancer and expression patterns of CAF markers in different subtypes of breast cancer. We hope that summarizing CAF-related studies from a historical perspective will help to accelerate the development of CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

Targeting transforming growth factor-β signalling for cancer prevention and intervention: Recent advances in developing small molecules of natural origin

BACKGROUND

Cancer is the world's second leading cause of death, but a significant advancement in cancer treatment has been achieved within the last few decades. However, major adverse effects and drug resistance associated with standard chemotherapy have led towards targeted treatment options.

OBJECTIVES

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a key role in cell proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis. The prime objective of this review is to decipher the role of TGF-β in oncogenesis and to evaluate the potential of various natural and synthetic agents to target this dysregulated pathway to confer cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic effects.

METHODS

Various authentic and scholarly databases were explored to search and obtain primary literature for this study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria was followed for the review.

RESULTS

Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of recent advances on our understanding of the effect of various bioactive natural molecules on the TGF-β signaling pathway to evaluate their full potential for cancer prevention and therapy.

CONCLUSION

Based on emerging evidence as presented in this work, TGF-β-targeting bioactive compounds from natural sources can serve as potential therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of various human malignancies.

A role for Flower and cell death in controlling morphogen gradient scaling

During development, morphogen gradients encode positional information to pattern morphological structures during organogenesis¹. Some gradients, like that of Dpp in the fly wing, remain proportional to the size of growing organs-that is, they scale. Gradient scaling keeps morphological patterns proportioned in organs of different sizes^2,3. Here we show a mechanism of scaling that ensures that, when the gradient is smaller than the organ, cell death trims the developing tissue to match the size of the gradient. Scaling is controlled by molecular associations between Dally and Pentagone, known factors involved in scaling, and a key factor that mediates cell death, Flower^4-6. We show that Flower activity in gradient expansion is not dominated by cell death, but by the activity of Dally/Pentagone on scaling. Here we show a potential connection between scaling and cell death that may uncover a molecular toolbox hijacked by tumours.

The Induced Expression of BPV E4 Gene in Equine Adult Dermal Fibroblast Cells as a Potential Model of Skin Sarcoid-like Neoplasia

The equine sarcoid is one of the most common neoplasias in the Equidae family. Despite the association of this tumor with the presence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV), the molecular mechanism of this lesion has not been fully understood. The transgenization of equine adult cutaneous fibroblast cells (ACFCs) was accomplished by nucleofection, followed by detection of molecular modifications using high-throughput NGS transcriptome sequencing. The results of the present study confirm that BPV-E4- and BPV-E1^E4-mediated nucleofection strategy significantly affected the transcriptomic alterations, leading to sarcoid-like neoplastic transformation of equine ACFCs. Furthermore, the results of the current investigation might contribute to the creation of in vitro biomedical models suitable for estimating the fates of molecular dedifferentiability and the epigenomic reprogrammability of BPV-E4 and BPV-E4^E1 transgenic equine ACFC-derived sarcoid-like cell nuclei in equine somatic cell-cloned embryos. Additionally, these in vitro models seem to be reliable for thoroughly recognizing molecular mechanisms that underlie not only oncogenic alterations in transcriptomic signatures, but also the etiopathogenesis of epidermal and dermal sarcoid-dependent neoplastic transformations in horses and other equids. For those reasons, the aforementioned transgenic models might be useful for devising clinical treatments in horses afflicted with sarcoid-related neoplasia of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues.

Proteasome regulators in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers with rising incidence. Despite progress in its treatment, with the introduction of more effective chemotherapy regimens in the last decade, prognosis of metastatic disease remains inferior to other cancers with long term survival being the exception. Molecular characterization of pancreatic cancer has elucidated the landscape of the disease and has revealed common lesions that contribute to pancreatic carcinogenesis. Regulation of proteostasis is critical in cancers due to increased protein turnover required to support the intense metabolism of cancer cells. The proteasome is an integral part of this regulation and is regulated, in its turn, by key transcription factors, which induce transcription of proteasome structural units. These include FOXO family transcription factors, NFE2L2, hHSF1 and hHSF2, and NF-Y. Networks that encompass proteasome regulators and transduction pathways dysregulated in pancreatic cancer such as the KRAS/ BRAF/MAPK and the Transforming growth factor beta/SMAD pathway contribute to pancreatic cancer progression. This review discusses the proteasome and its transcription factors within the pancreatic cancer cellular micro-environment. We also consider the role of stemness in carcinogenesis and the use of proteasome inhibitors as therapeutic agents.

Ionising Radiation Promotes Invasive Potential of Breast Cancer Cells: The Role of Exosomes in the Process

Along with the cells that are exposed to radiation, non-irradiated cells can unveil radiation effects as a result of intercellular communication, which are collectively defined as radiation induced bystander effects (RIBE). Exosome-mediated signalling is one of the core mechanisms responsible for multidirectional communication of tumor cells and their associated microenvironment, which may result in enhancement of malignant tumor phenotypes. Recent studies show that exosomes and exosome-mediated signalling also play a dynamic role in RIBE in cancer cell lines, many of which focused on altered exosome cargo or their effects on DNA damage. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how these changes in exosome cargo are reflected in other functional characteristics of cancer cells from the aspects of invasiveness and metastasis. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate exosome-mediated bystander effects of 2 Gy X-ray therapeutic dose of ionizing radiation on the invasive potential of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro via assessing Matrigel invasion potential, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics and the extent of glycosylation, as well as underlying plausible molecular mechanisms. The findings show that exosomes derived from irradiated MCF-7 cells enhance invasiveness of bystander MCF-7 cells, possibly through altered miRNA and protein content carried in exosomes.

Bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF-β and PD-L1, in patients with human papillomavirus-associated malignancies

BACKGROUND

Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of transforming growth factor (TGF)-βRII (a TGF-β 'trap') fused to a human IgG1 mAb blocking programmed cell death ligand 1. This is the largest analysis of patients with advanced, pretreated human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies treated with bintrafusp alfa.

METHODS

In these phase 1 (NCT02517398) and phase 2 trials (NCT03427411), 59 patients with advanced, pretreated, checkpoint inhibitor-naive HPV-associated cancers received bintrafusp alfa intravenously every 2 weeks until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Primary endpoint was best overall response per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) V.1.1; other endpoints included safety.

RESULTS

As of April 17, 2019 (phase 1), and October 4, 2019 (phase 2), the confirmed objective response rate per RECIST V.1.1 in the checkpoint inhibitor-naive, full-analysis population was 30.5% (95% CI, 19.2% to 43.9%; five complete responses); eight patients had stable disease (disease control rate, 44.1% (95% CI, 31.2% to 57.6%)). In addition, three patients experienced a delayed partial response after initial disease progression, for a total clinical response rate of 35.6% (95% CI, 23.6% to 49.1%). An additional patient with vulvar cancer had an unconfirmed response. Forty-nine patients (83.1%) experienced treatment-related adverse events, which were grade 3/4 in 16 patients (27.1%). No treatment-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

Bintrafusp alfa showed clinical activity and manageable safety and is a promising treatment in HPV-associated cancers. These findings support further investigation of bintrafusp alfa in patients with advanced, pretreated HPV-associated cancers.

Crucial role of glucosylceramide synthase in the regulation of stem cell-like cancer cells in B16F10 murine melanoma

Cancer stem cells render a complex cascade of events that facilitates highly invasive melanoma malignancy. Interplay between immunocytes and cancer stem cells within tumor microenvironment with the participation of sphingolipid signaling mediators skews the immune evasion strategies toward metastatic neoplasm. In this context, we aimed to explore the functional aspect of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), a key enzyme of sphingolipid biosynthesis in the maintenance of melanoma stem cell-like cancer cells (CSCs). Our findings demonstrated that tumor hypoxia was responsible for elevated GCS expression in melanoma, which was correlated with substantially increased melanoma CSCs. Moreover, hypoxia-induced TGF-β from TAMs and Tregs promoted GCS induction in B16F10 murine melanoma CSCs via PKCα signaling and facilitated the expansion of melanoma CSCs. Interestingly, GCS ablation hindered the immunosuppressiveness of TAMs and Tregs. Therefore, our study for the first time demonstrated a novel paracrine pathway of melanoma CSC maintenance and tumorigenicity, exploiting the bidirectional signaling with immunocytes. Furthermore, our study showed that the combinatorial immunotherapy involving immunomodulators like Mw and DTA-1 repressed CSC pool affecting GCS functions in advanced-stage B16F10 murine melanoma tumor. Moreover, GCS inhibition sensitized conventional chemotherapeutic drug-resistant melanoma CSCs to the genotoxic drugs paving the way toward selective melanoma treatment. Better therapeutic efficacy with inhibition of GCS and CSC depletion suggests a crucial role of GCS in melanoma treatment, therefore, implying its application concerning clinical challenges of chemotherapy resistance leading to prolonged survival.

TGF-β/activin signaling promotes CDK7 inhibitor resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells through upregulation of multidrug transporters

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a master regulatory kinase that drives cell cycle progression and stimulates expression of oncogenes in a myriad of cancers. Inhibitors of CDK7 (CDK7i) are currently in clinical trials; however, as with many cancer therapies, patients will most likely experience recurrent disease due to acquired resistance. Identifying targets underlying CDK7i resistance will facilitate prospective development of new therapies that can circumvent such resistance. Here we utilized triple-negative breast cancer as a model to discern mechanisms of resistance as it has been previously shown to be highly responsive to CDK7 inhibitors. After generating cell lines with acquired resistance, high-throughput RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of genes associated with efflux pumps and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways. Genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition of ABCG2, an efflux pump associated with multidrug resistance, resensitized resistant cells to CDK7i, indicating a reliance on these transporters. Expression of activin A (INHBA), a member of the TGF-β family of ligands, was also induced, whereas its intrinsic inhibitor, follistatin (FST), was repressed. In resistant cells, increased phosphorylation of SMAD3, a downstream mediator, confirmed an increase in activin signaling, and phosphorylated SMAD3 directly bound the ABCG2 promoter regulatory region. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β/activin receptors or genetic silencing of SMAD4, a transcriptional partner of SMAD3, reversed the upregulation of ABCG2 in resistant cells and phenocopied ABCG2 inhibition. This study reveals that inhibiting the TGF-β/Activin-ABCG2 pathway is a potential avenue for preventing or overcoming resistance to CDK7 inhibitors.

TGF-β signaling: A recap of SMAD-independent and SMAD-dependent pathways

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a proinflammatory cytokine known to control a diverse array of pathological and physiological conditions during normal development and tumorigenesis. TGF-β-mediated physiological effects are heterogeneous and vary among different types of cells and environmental conditions. TGF-β serves as an antiproliferative agent and inhibits tumor development during primary stages of tumor progression; however, during the later stages, it encourages tumor development and mediates metastatic progression and chemoresistance. The fundamental elements of TGF-β signaling have been divulged more than a decade ago; however, the process by which the signals are relayed from cell surface to nucleus is very complex with additional layers added in tumor cell niches. Although the intricate understanding of TGF-β-mediated signaling pathways and their regulation are still evolving, we tried to make an attempt to summarize the TGF-β-mediated SMAD-dependent andSMAD-independent pathways. This manuscript emphasizes the functions of TGF-β as a metastatic promoter and tumor suppressor during the later and initial phases of tumor progression respectively.

TGF-β1 Facilitates TAp63α Protein Lysosomal Degradation to Promote Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration

Simple Summary

Numerous studies demonstrate that the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a critical driving force for promoting cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis. Our recent study indicates that TGF-β1 promotes FBXO3-mediated ΔNp63α protein degradation to facilitate cancer metastasis. In this study, we show that TGF-β1 can inhibit TAp63α protein stability in a lysosome-dependent, but canonical Smad pathway-independent manner, which leads to upregulation of p53-R248W expression, and consequently results in increased pancreatic cancer cell migration.

Abstract

TGF-β signaling plays a pivotal role in promoting tumor cell migration and cancer metastasis. ΔNp63α and TAp63α are two major isoforms of p53-related p63 protein. Our recent study has shown that TGF-β1 promotes ΔNp63α protein degradation to facilitate cancer metastasis. However, whether TAp63α is involved in TGF-β1-induced cancer metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we show that, in human pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 cells harboring p53-R248W allele, TGF-β1 can significantly inhibit TAp63α protein stability in a Smad pathway-independent manner. Lysosome inhibitor, chloroquine, but not proteasome inhibitor MG132, can rescue TGF-β1-induced downregulation of TAp63α protein. In addition, we show that either TGF-β1 treatment or silencing of TAp63α can dramatically increase migration of MIA PaCa-2 cells. Importantly, the restored expression of TAp63α can effectively block TGF-β1-induced migration of MIA PaCa-2 cells. Mechanistically, we show that TGF-β1 promotes TAp63α protein degradation, leading to upregulation of p53-R248W protein expression, and consequently resulting in elevated MIA PaCa-2 cell migration. Together, this study indicates that lysosomal degradation is an important way for regulating TAp63α protein fate and highlights that TGF-β1-TAp63α-mutant p53 axis is critically important in pancreatic cancer metastasis.

ZNF224 is a mediator of TGF-β pro-oncogenic function in melanoma

The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a dual role in cancer, operating as both tumor suppressor and oncogenic factor depending on cellular and molecular partners. In this research we investigated the role of ZNF224 in melanoma, a highly invasive and metastatic cancer, and provided evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in the TGF-β signaling as a mediator of the TGF-β pro-oncogenic function. Our results showed that ZNF224, whose expression increased in melanoma cell lines after TGF-β stimulation, potentiated the activation induced by TGF-β on its target genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Accordingly, overexpression of ZNF224 enhanced the tumourigenic properties of melanoma cells, promoting cell proliferation and invasiveness, while ZNF224 knockdown had the opposite effect. Moreover, ZNF224 positively modulates the expression of TGF-β itself and its type 1 and 2 receptors (TβR1 and TβR2), thus highlighting a possible mechanism by which ZNF224 could enhance the endogenous TGFβ/Smad signalling. Our findings unveil a positive regulatory loop between TGF-β and ZNF224 to promote EMT, consequently increasing the tumour metastatic potential.

Architecture of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Microenvironment: Mapping Their Origins, Heterogeneity, and Role in Cancer Therapy Resistance

The tumor stroma, a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), is a key determinant of response and resistance to cancer treatment. The stromal cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), and blood vessels influence cancer cell response to therapy and play key roles in tumor relapse and therapeutic outcomes. Of the stromal cells present in the TME, much attention has been given to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as they are the most abundant and important in cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. Besides releasing several factors, CAFs also synthesize the ECM, a key component of the tumor stroma. In this expert review, we examine the role of CAFs in the regulation of tumor cell behavior and reveal how CAF-derived factors and signaling influence tumor cell heterogeneity and development of novel strategies to combat cancer. Importantly, CAFs display both phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, with significant ramifications on CAF-directed therapies. Principal anti-cancer therapies targeting CAFs take the form of: (1) CAFs' ablation through use of immunotherapies, (2) re-education of CAFs to normalize the cells, (3) cellular therapies involving CAFs delivering drugs such as oncolytic adenoviruses, and (4) stromal depletion via targeting the ECM and its related signaling. The CAFs' heterogeneity could be a result of different cellular origins and the cancer-specific tumor microenvironmental effects, underscoring the need for further multiomics and biochemical studies on CAFs and the subsets. Lastly, we present recent advances in therapeutic targeting of CAFs and the success of such endeavors or their lack thereof. We recommend that to advance global public health and personalized medicine, treatments in the oncology clinic should be combinatorial in nature, strategically targeting both cancer cells and stromal cells, and their interactions.

Extra- and Intracellular Monitoring of TGF-β Using Single Immunoplasmonic Nanoprobes

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a well-known disease-related biomarker associated with fibrotic diseases, and initiation and progression of cancer in many organs. Therefore, quantitative and sensitive detection of TGF-β and similar biomarkers is crucial for patient treatment in the early stages of diagnosis. In many studies, the detection of TGF-β, an important profibrotic and cancer promoting cytokine, has been generally conducted by fluorescence or absorbance-based immunoassays. However, conventional methods for detecting TGF-β have problems including use of time-consuming sample pretreatment steps and multiple reagents for signal amplification and difficulty in real-time detection from living cells. Herein, we present a plasmon-based immunoassay for TGF-β using antibody-conjugated single gold nanoparticles that act as optically excellent intracellular and extracellular detection probes that do not require additional signal amplification. To detect TGF-β sensitively and selectively, we exploited the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) property of antibody-conjugated plasmonic gold nanoparticles at a single particle level. By measuring the LSPR spectral shifts of the single plasmonic nanoprobes, TGF-β can be detected down to the picomolar level, which is comparable with the conventional methods but without significant interference from other proteins. The optimized plasmonic nanoprobes were applied to quantify and monitor the extracellular TGF-β level secreted from the cells under stress conditions, such as cancer, and exposure to toxic environments. Owing to the ease of cellular internalization of the nanoprobes, we directly image and detect increases in intracellular TGF-β levels in living cells under the given stress conditions without cell lysis. We envision that this strategy of using individual nanoparticles as sensors to monitor protein biomarkers in living cells could be applied for various biological assays and diagnosis.

Exploiting somatic alterations as therapeutic targets in advanced and metastatic cervical cancer

It is estimated that 604,127 patients were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide in 2020. While a small percentage of patients will have metastatic disease at diagnosis, a large percentage (15-61%) later develop advanced disease. For this cohort, treatment with systemic chemotherapy remains the standard of care, with a static 5-year survival rate over the last thirty years. Data on targetable molecular alterations in cervical cancer have lagged behind other more common tumor types thus stunting the development of targeted agents. In recent years, tumor genomic testing has been increasingly incorporated into our clinical practice, opening the door for a potential new era of personalized treatment for advanced cervical cancer. The interim results from the NCI-MATCH study reported an actionability rate of 28.4% for the cervical cancer cohort, suggesting a subset of patients may harbor mutations which that are targetable. This review sets out to summarize the key targeted agents currently under exploration either alone or in combination with existing treatments for cervical cancer.

A cytokine in turmoil: Transforming growth factor beta in cancer

Cancer remains one of the debilitating health threats to mankind in view of its incurable nature. Many factors are complicit in the initiation, progression and establishment of cancers. Early detection of cancer is the only window of hope that allows for appreciable management and possible limited survival. However, understanding of cancer biology and knowledge of the key factors that interplay at multi-level in the initiation and progression of cancer may hold possible avenues for cancer treatment and management. In particular, dysregulation of growth factor signaling such as that of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and its downstream mediators play key roles in various cancer subtypes. Expanded understanding of the context/cell type-dependent roles of TGF-β and its downstream signaling mediators in cancer may provide leads for cancer pharmacotherapy. Reliable information contained in original articles, reviews, mini-reviews and expert opinions on TGF-β, cancer and the specific roles of TGF-β signaling in various cancer subtypes were retrieved from major scientific data bases including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science core collections just to mention but a sample by using the following search terms: TGF-β in cancer, TGF-β and colorectal cancer, TGF-β and brain cancer, TGF-β in cancer initiation, TGF-β and cell proliferation, TGF-β and cell invasion, and TGF-β-based cancer therapy. Retrieved information and reports were carefully examined, contextualized and synchronized into a coherent scientific content to highlight the multiple roles of TGF-β signaling in normal and cancerous cells. From a conceptual standpoint, development of pharmacologically active agents that exert non-specific inhibitory effects on TGF-β signaling on various cell types will undoubtedly lead to a plethora of serious side effects in view of the multi-functionality and pleiotropic nature of TGF-β. Such non-specific targeting of TGF-β could derail any beneficial therapeutic intention associated with TGF-β-based therapy. However, development of pharmacologically active agents designed specifically to target TGF-β signaling in cancer cells may improve cancer pharmacotherapy. Similarly, specific targeting of downstream mediators of TGF-β such as TGF-β type 1 and II receptors (TβRI and TβRII), receptor-mediated Smads, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and importing proteins in cancer cells may be crucial for cancer pharmacotherapy.

Dual mitigation of immunosuppression combined with photothermal inhibition for highly effective primary tumor and metastases therapy

T-cell based immune response can attack cancer cells formidably when certain immune checkpoint (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1) is blocked. Unfortunately, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade only provoke limited immune response because the differentiation of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes is often suppressed by TGF-β pathway. Namely, the combating cancer weapon is weakened. In this study, other than employing photothermal therapy (PTT) to eliminate the primary tumor, we also aimed to expose in situ tumor-associated antigens and exert immune response for metastases inhibition. This enhanced immunotherapeutic strategy is achieved by IR780/SB-505124 based nanoliposomes (Nano-IR-SB@Lip). Upon administration, TGF-β pathway is inhibited by SB to drive effector T cells into a responsive state and reduce the infiltration of Treg cells, eventually greatly enhancing the weapon against cancer. In the meantime, the immunosuppressive "protection" of tumor cells is also neutralized by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. By virtue of inherent characteristics of IR780, Nano-IR-SB@Lip can selectively accumulate, penetrate deeply in tumor tissues, and preferentially retain in mitochondria. The above features are of critical importance to tumor therapy. Thus, highly effective cancer immunotherapy is implemented via selective accumulation/deep penetration of Nano-IR-SB@Lip in tumor, achieving PTT induced immunogenic cell death and dual mitigation of immunosuppression strategy (TGF-β inhibition/PD-1/PD-L1 blockade), which is a promising therapeutic modality for cancer.

Molecular mechanisms of radioactive iodine refractoriness in differentiated thyroid cancer: Impaired sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression owing to altered signaling pathway activity and intracellular localization of NIS

The advanced, metastatic differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) have a poor prognosis mainly owing to radioactive iodine (RAI) refractoriness caused by decreased expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS), diminished targeting of NIS to the cell membrane, or both, thereby decreasing the efficacy of RAI therapy. Genetic aberrations (such as BRAF, RAS, and RET/PTC rearrangements) have been reported to be prominently responsible for the onset, progression, and dedifferentiation of DTCs, mainly through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways. Eventually, these alterations result in a lack of NIS and disabling of RAI uptake, leading to the development of resistance to RAI therapy. Over the past decade, promising approaches with various targets have been reported to restore NIS expression and RAI uptake in preclinical studies. In this review, we summarized comprehensive molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation in RAI-refractory DTCs and reviews strategies for restoring RAI avidity by tackling the mechanisms.

Attenuated TGFB signalling in macrophages decreases susceptibility to DMBA-induced mammary cancer in mice

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFB1) is a multi-functional cytokine that regulates mammary gland development and cancer progression through endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. TGFB1 also plays roles in tumour development and progression, and its increased expression is associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Macrophages are key target cells for TGFB1 action, also playing crucial roles in tumourigenesis. However, the precise role of TGFB-regulated macrophages in the mammary gland is unclear. This study investigated the effect of attenuated TGFB signalling in macrophages on mammary gland development and mammary cancer susceptibility in mice.

METHODS

A transgenic mouse model was generated, wherein a dominant negative TGFB receptor is activated in macrophages, in turn attenuating the TGFB signalling pathway specifically in the macrophage population. The mammary glands were assessed for morphological changes through wholemount and H&E analysis, and the abundance and phenotype of macrophages were analysed through immunohistochemistry. Another cohort of mice received carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), and tumour development was monitored weekly. Human non-neoplastic breast tissue was also immunohistochemically assessed for latent TGFB1 and macrophage marker CD68.

RESULTS

Attenuation of TGFB signalling resulted in an increase in the percentage of alveolar epithelium in the mammary gland at dioestrus and an increase in macrophage abundance. The phenotype of macrophages was also altered, with inflammatory macrophage markers iNOS and CCR7 increased by 110% and 40%, respectively. A significant decrease in DMBA-induced mammary tumour incidence and prolonged tumour-free survival in mice with attenuated TGFB signalling were observed. In human non-neoplastic breast tissue, there was a significant inverse relationship between latent TGFB1 protein and CD68-positive macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

TGFB acts on macrophage populations in the mammary gland to reduce their abundance and dampen the inflammatory phenotype. TGFB signalling in macrophages increases mammary cancer susceptibility potentially through suppression of immune surveillance activities of macrophages.