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Bostan IS, Mihaila M, Roman V, Radu N, Neagu MT, Bostan M, Mehedintu C. Landscape of Endometrial Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Target Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2027. [PMID: 38893147 PMCID: PMC11171255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is one the most prevalent gynecological cancers and, unfortunately, has a poor prognosis due to low response rates to traditional treatments. However, the progress in molecular biology and understanding the genetic mechanisms involved in tumor processes offers valuable information that has led to the current classification that describes four molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancers, such as genetic mutations, defects in the DNA mismatch repair pathway, epigenetic changes, or dysregulation in angiogenic or hormonal signaling pathways. The preclinical genomic and molecular investigations presented allowed for the identification of some molecules that could be used as biomarkers to diagnose, predict, and monitor the progression of endometrial cancer. Besides the therapies known in clinical practice, targeted therapy is described as a new cancer treatment that involves identifying specific molecular targets in tumor cells. By selectively inhibiting these targets, key signaling pathways involved in cancer progression can be disrupted while normal cells are protected. The connection between molecular biomarkers and targeted therapy is vital in the fight against cancer. Ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring the use of standard therapy agents in combination with other treatment strategies like immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy to improve outcomes and personalize treatment for patients with endometrial cancer. This approach has the potential to transform the management of cancer patients. In conclusion, enhancing molecular tools is essential for stratifying the risk and guiding surgery, adjuvant therapy, and cancer treatment for women with endometrial cancer. In addition, the information from this review may have an essential value in the personalized therapy approach for endometrial cancer to improve the patient's life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirela Mihaila
- Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Center of Immunology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (V.R.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Titu Maiorescu University, 040314 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Viviana Roman
- Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Center of Immunology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (V.R.)
| | - Nicoleta Radu
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania;
- Biotechnology Department, National Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry R&D of Bucharest, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Teodora Neagu
- Department of Immunology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Marinela Bostan
- Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Center of Immunology, Romanian Academy, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (M.M.); (V.R.)
- Department of Immunology, ‘Victor Babes’ National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Claudia Mehedintu
- Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 011132 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-S.B.); (C.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050471 Bucharest, Romania
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Wu R, Yuen J, Cheung E, Huang Z, Chu E. Review of three-dimensional spheroid culture models of gynecological cancers for photodynamic therapy research. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2024; 45:103975. [PMID: 38237651 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.103975] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a specific cancer treatment with minimal side effects. However, it remains challenging to apply PDT clinically, partially due to the difficulty of translating research findings to clinical settings as the conventional 2D cell models used for in vitro research are accepted as less physiologically relevant to a solid tumour. 3D spheroids offer a better model for testing PDT mechanisms and efficacy, particularly on photosensitizer uptake, cellular and subcellular distribution and interaction with cellular oxygen consumption. 3D spheroids are usually generated by scaffold-free and scaffold-based methods and are accepted as physiologically relevant models for PDT anticancer research. Scaffold-free methods offer researchers advantages including high efficiency, reproducible, and controlled microenvironment. While the scaffold-based methods offer an extracellular matrix-like 3D scaffold with the necessary architecture and chemical mediators to support the spheroid formation, the natural scaffold used may limit its usage because of low reproducibility due to patch-to-patch variation. Many studies show that the 3D spheroids do offer advantages to gynceologcial cancer PDT investigation. This article will provide a review of the applications of 3D spheroid culture models for the PDT research of gynaecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rwk Wu
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
| | - Jwm Yuen
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Eyw Cheung
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Z Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Photonics Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Esm Chu
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
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4
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Ghasemian M, Zehtabi M, Dari MAG, Pour FK, Tabesh GA, Moramezi F, Jafari RM, Barati M, Uddin S, Farzaneh M. The emerging roles of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in gynecologic cancers. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:4. [PMID: 38166752 PMCID: PMC10763168 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11743-z] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has gained significant recognition as a pivotal contributor to the initiation and advancement of gynecologic cancers, encompassing ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and breast cancers. H19 exhibits a complex array of mechanisms, demonstrating dualistic effects on tumorigenesis as it can function as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor, contingent upon the specific context and type of cancer being investigated. In ovarian cancer, H19 promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance through modulation of key signaling pathways and interaction with microRNAs. Conversely, in endometrial cancer, H19 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, H19 has been implicated in cervical and breast cancers, where it influences cell proliferation, invasion, and immune evasion. Moreover, H19 has potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for gynecologic cancers, with its expression levels correlating with clinical parameters and patient outcomes. Understanding the functional roles of H19 in gynecologic cancers is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies and personalized treatment approaches. Further investigation into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying H19's involvement in gynecologic malignancies is warranted to fully unravel its therapeutic potential and clinical implications. This review aims to elucidate the functional roles of H19 in various gynecologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Ghasemian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Zehtabi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahrokh Abouali Gale Dari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khojasteh Pour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Ghasem Azizi Tabesh
- Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farideh Moramezi
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Razieh Mohammad Jafari
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mojgan Barati
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 22602, India
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Jiang C, Fan F, Xu W, Jiang X. POLD4 Promotes Glioma Cell Proliferation and Suppressive Immune Microenvironment: A Pan-Cancer Analysis Integrated with Experimental Validation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13919. [PMID: 37762224 PMCID: PMC10530695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
POLD4 plays a crucial part in the complex machinery of DNA replication and repair as a vital component of the DNA polymerase delta complex. In this research, we obtained original information from various publicly available databases. Using a blend of R programming and internet resources, we initiated an extensive examination into the correlation between POLD4 expression and the various elements of cancers. In addition, we performed knockdown experiments in glioma cell lines to authenticate its significant impact. We discovered that POLD4 is upregulated in various malignant tumors, demonstrating a significant correlation with poor patient survival prognosis. Using function analysis, it was uncovered that POLD4 exhibited intricate associations with signaling pathways spanning multiple tumor types. Subsequent investigations unveiled the close association of POLD4 with the immune microenvironment and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Drugs like trametinib, saracatinib, and dasatinib may be used in patients with high POLD4. Using experimental analysis, we further confirmed the overexpression of POLD4 in gliomas, as well as its correlation with glioma recurrence, proliferation, and the suppressive immune microenvironment. Our research findings indicate that the expression pattern of POLD4 not only serves as a robust indicator of prognosis in cancer patients but also holds promising potential as a new focus for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China (W.X.)
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