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Kulsh J. Biochemistry-Not Oncogenes-May Demystify and Defeat Cancer. Oncol Ther 2023:10.1007/s40487-023-00221-y. [PMID: 36781712 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-023-00221-y] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of mutated genes strongly correlates with the incidence of cancer. Decades of research, however, has not yielded any specific causative gene or set of genes for the vast majority of cancers. The Cancer Genome Atlas program was supposed to provide clarity, but it only gave much more data without any accompanying insight into how the disease begins and progresses. It may be time to notice that epidemiological studies consistently show that the environment, not genes, has the principal role in causing cancer. Since carcinogenic chemicals in our food, drink, air, and water are the primary culprits, we need to look at the biochemistry of cancer, with a focus on enzymes that invariably facilitate transformations in a cell. In particular, attention should be paid to the rate-limiting enzyme in DNA synthesis, ribonucleotide reductase (RnR), whose activity is tightly linked to tumor growth. Besides circumstantial evidence that cancer is induced at this enzyme's vulnerable free-radical-containing active site by various carcinogens, its role in initiating retinoblastoma and human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical cancers has been well documented in recent years. Blocking the activity of malignant RnR is a certain way to arrest cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Kulsh
- Independent Scientist, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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2
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Tsochantaridis I, Roupas A, Mohlin S, Pappa A, Voulgaridou GP. The Concept of Cancer Stem Cells: Elaborating on ALDH1B1 as an Emerging Marker of Cancer Progression. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010197. [PMID: 36676146 PMCID: PMC9863106 DOI: 10.3390/life13010197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactorial, complex disease exhibiting extraordinary phenotypic plasticity and diversity. One of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment is intratumoral heterogeneity, which obstructs the efficient eradication of the tumor. Tumor heterogeneity is often associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cancer cell sub-population possessing a panel of stem-like properties, such as a self-renewal ability and multipotency potential. CSCs are associated with enhanced chemoresistance due to the enhanced efflux of chemotherapeutic agents and the existence of powerful antioxidant and DNA damage repair mechanisms. The distinctive characteristics of CSCs make them ideal targets for clinical therapeutic approaches, and the identification of efficient and specific CSCs biomarkers is of utmost importance. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) comprise a wide superfamily of metabolic enzymes that, over the last years, have gained increasing attention due to their association with stem-related features in a wide panel of hematopoietic malignancies and solid cancers. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) is an isoform that has been characterized as a marker of colon cancer progression, while various studies suggest its importance in additional malignancies. Here, we review the basic concepts related to CSCs and discuss the potential role of ALDH1B1 in cancer development and its contribution to the CSC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Tsochantaridis
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Angelos Roupas
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Sofie Mohlin
- Division of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University Cancer Center, 22384 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aglaia Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgia-Persephoni Voulgaridou
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Correspondence:
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3
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Tanvir I, Hassan A, Albeladi F. DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Events Underlying Renal Cell Carcinomas. Cureus 2022; 14:e30743. [DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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4
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Duraj T, Carrión-Navarro J, Seyfried TN, García-Romero N, Ayuso-Sacido A. Metabolic therapy and bioenergetic analysis: The missing piece of the puzzle. Mol Metab 2021; 54:101389. [PMID: 34749013 PMCID: PMC8637646 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant metabolism is recognized as a hallmark of cancer, a pillar necessary for cellular proliferation. Regarding bioenergetics (ATP generation), most cancers display a preference not only toward aerobic glycolysis ("Warburg effect") and glutaminolysis (mitochondrial substrate level-phosphorylation) but also toward other metabolites such as lactate, pyruvate, and fat-derived sources. These secondary metabolites can assist in proliferation but cannot fully cover ATP demands. SCOPE OF REVIEW The concept of a static metabolic profile is challenged by instances of heterogeneity and flexibility to meet fuel/anaplerotic demands. Although metabolic therapies are a promising tool to improve therapeutic outcomes, either via pharmacological targets or press-pulse interventions, metabolic plasticity is rarely considered. Lack of bioenergetic analysis in vitro and patient-derived models is hindering translational potential. Here, we review the bioenergetics of cancer and propose a simple analysis of major metabolic pathways, encompassing both affordable and advanced techniques. A comprehensive compendium of Seahorse XF bioenergetic measurements is presented for the first time. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Standardization of principal readouts might help researchers to collect a complete metabolic picture of cancer using the most appropriate methods depending on the sample of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Duraj
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), CEU San Pablo University, 28668, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Josefa Carrión-Navarro
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Madrid, Spain; Brain Tumor Laboratory, Fundación Vithas, Grupo Hospitales Vithas, 28043, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Thomas N Seyfried
- Biology Department, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
| | - Noemí García-Romero
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Madrid, Spain; Brain Tumor Laboratory, Fundación Vithas, Grupo Hospitales Vithas, 28043, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Angel Ayuso-Sacido
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Madrid, Spain; Brain Tumor Laboratory, Fundación Vithas, Grupo Hospitales Vithas, 28043, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223, Madrid, Spain.
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Segura-Bautista D, Maya-Nunez G, Aguilar-Rojas A, Huerta-Reyes M, Pérez-Solis MA. Contribution of Stemness-linked Transcription Regulators to the Progression of Breast Cancer. Curr Mol Med 2021; 22:766-778. [PMID: 34819003 DOI: 10.2174/1566524021666211124154803] [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: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although there are currently several factors that allow measuring the risk of having breast cancer or predicting its progression, the underlying causes of this malignancy have remained unknown. Several molecular studies have described some mechanisms involved in the progress of breast cancer. These have helped in identifying new targets with therapeutic potential. However, despite the therapeutic strategies implemented from the advances achieved in breast cancer research, a large percentage of patients with breast cancer die due to the spread of malignant cells to other tissues or organs, such as bones and lungs. Therefore, determining the processes that promote the migration of malignant cells remains one of the greatest challenges for oncological research. Several research groups have reported evidence on how the dedifferentiation of tumor cells leads to the acquisition of stemness characteristics, such as invasion, metastasis, the capability to evade the immunological response, and resistance to several cytotoxic drugs. These phenotypic changes have been associated with a complex reprogramming of gene expression in tumor cells during the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Considering the determining role that the transcriptional regulation plays in the expression of the specific characteristics and attributes of breast cancer during ETM, in the present work, we reviewed and analyzed several transcriptional mechanisms that support the mesenchymal phenotype. In the same way, we established the importance of transcription factors with a therapeutic perspective in the progress of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Segura-Bautista
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia no. 4 'Luis Castelazo-Ayala', Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Maya-Nunez
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia no. 4 'Luis Castelazo-Ayala', Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Mexico
| | - Arturo Aguilar-Rojas
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia no. 4 'Luis Castelazo-Ayala', Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Mexico
| | - Maira Huerta-Reyes
- Medical Research Unit in Nephrological Diseases, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Mexico
| | - Marco Allan Pérez-Solis
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia no. 4 'Luis Castelazo-Ayala', Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Mexico
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Benite-Ribeiro SA, Rodrigues VADL, Machado MRF. Food intake in early life and epigenetic modifications of pro-opiomelanocortin expression in arcuate nucleus. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:3773-3784. [PMID: 33877530 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06340-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in nowadays societies and, despite being a multifactorial disease, it has a significant correlation with food intake. The control of food intake is performed by neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC), which secret orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides, such as proopiomelanocortin (POMC), under stimulation of, e.g., ghrelin, insulin, and leptin. Insulin, uses inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/serine-threonine kinase (IP3/Akt) pathways and stimulates the exclusion of (Forkhead box protein O1) FOXO1 from the nucleus and thereby does the inactivation of the inhibition of POMC expression, while Leptin stimulates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and POMC expression. Epigenetic modifications of the synthesis of these neuropeptides can lead to an increased caloric intake, which, in turn, is an important risk factor for obesity and its comorbidities. Epigenetic modifications are reversible, so the search for epigenetic targets has significant scientific and therapeutic appeal. In this review, we synthesize the effect of food intake on the epigenetic modifications of Neuropeptide Y and Pro-opiomelanocortin of ARC and its relationships with obesity development and comorbidities. We found that there is no consensus on the methylation of neuropeptides when the evaluations are carried out in different promoters. Based on reports carried on in the early life in laboratory animals, which is the timeline that the vast majority of author used to study this topic, chronic inflammation, defects in insulin and leptin signaling may be linked to changes occurring in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and/or STAT3/SOCS3 (cytokine signaling 3) pathways. In its turn, the epigenetic modifications related to increased food intake and reduced energy expenditure may be associated with PI3K/Akt and STAT3/SOCS3 signaling disruption and Pro-opiomelanocortin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Aparecida Benite-Ribeiro
- Ciências Biológicas, Federal University of Jataí (UFJ), Rodovia 364, Km 195, nº 3800, Jataí, Goiás, CEP 75801-615, Brasil.
- Pós-Graduação de Ciências Aplicadas À Saúde, Federal University of Jataí (UFJ), Rodovia 364, Km 195, nº 3800, Jataí, Goiás, CEP 75801-615, Brasil.
- Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Federal University of Jataí (UFJ), Rodovia 364, Km 195, nº 3800, Jataí, Goiás, CEP 75801-615, Brasil.
| | - Valkíria Alves de Lima Rodrigues
- Pós-Graduação de Ciências Aplicadas À Saúde, Federal University of Jataí (UFJ), Rodovia 364, Km 195, nº 3800, Jataí, Goiás, CEP 75801-615, Brasil
| | - Mônica Rodrigues Ferreira Machado
- Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Federal University of Jataí (UFJ), Rodovia 364, Km 195, nº 3800, Jataí, Goiás, CEP 75801-615, Brasil
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Involvement of Actin and Actin-Binding Proteins in Carcinogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102245. [PMID: 33036298 PMCID: PMC7600575 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in many cellular processes while its reorganization is important in maintaining cell homeostasis. However, in the case of cancer cells, actin and ABPs (actin-binding proteins) are involved in all stages of carcinogenesis. Literature has reported that ABPs such as SATB1 (special AT-rich binding protein 1), WASP (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein), nesprin, and villin take part in the initial step of carcinogenesis by regulating oncogene expression. Additionally, changes in actin localization promote cell proliferation by inhibiting apoptosis (SATB1). In turn, migration and invasion of cancer cells are based on the formation of actin-rich protrusions (Arp2/3 complex, filamin A, fascin, α-actinin, and cofilin). Importantly, more and more scientists suggest that microfilaments together with the associated proteins mediate tumor vascularization. Hence, the presented article aims to summarize literature reports in the context of the potential role of actin and ABPs in all steps of carcinogenesis.
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From cancer to rejuvenation: incomplete regeneration as the missing link (part II: rejuvenation circle). Future Sci OA 2020; 6:FSO610. [PMID: 32983567 PMCID: PMC7491027 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the first part of our study, we substantiated that the embryonic reontogenesis and malignant growth (disintegrating growth) pathways are the same, but occur at different stages of ontogenesis, this mechanism is carried out in opposite directions. Cancer has been shown to be epigenetic-blocked redifferentiation and unfinished somatic embryogenesis. We formulated that only this approach of aging elimination has real prospects for a future that is fraught with cancer, as we will be able to convert this risk into a rejuvenation process through the continuous cycling of cell dedifferentiation-differentiation processes (permanent remorphogenesis). Here, we continue to develop the idea of looped ontogenesis and formulate the concept of the rejuvenation circle.
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Environmental Carcinogenesis and Transgenerational Transmission of Carcinogenic Risk: From Genetics to Epigenetics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15081791. [PMID: 30127322 PMCID: PMC6121489 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dominant pathogenic model, somatic mutation theory (SMT), considers carcinogenesis as a ‘genetic accident’ due to the accumulation of ‘stochastic’ DNA mutations. This model was proposed and accepted by the scientific community when cancer mainly affected the elderly, but it does not explain the epidemiological observation of the continuous increase in cancer incidence among children and young adults. Somatic mutation theory has been proposed for a revision based on the emerging experimental evidence, as it does not fully address some issues that have proven to be crucial for carcinogenesis, namely: the inflammatory context of cancer; the key role played by the stroma, microenvironment, endothelial cells, activated macrophages, and surrounding tissues; and the distorted developmental course followed by the neoplastic tissue. Furthermore, SMT is often not able to consider either the existence of specific mutations resulting in a well-defined cancer type, or a clear relationship between mutations and tumor progression. Moreover, it does not explain the mechanism of action of the non-mutagenic and environmental carcinogens. In the last decade, cancer research has highlighted the prominent role of an altered regulation of gene expression, suggesting that cancer should be considered as a result of a polyclonal epigenetic disruption of stem/progenitor cells, mediated by tumour-inducing genes. The maternal and fetal exposure to a wide range of chemicals and environmental contaminants is raising the attention of the scientific community. Indeed, the most powerful procarcinogenic mechanisms of endocrine disruptors and other pollutants is linked to their potential to interfere epigenetically with the embryo-fetal programming of tissues and organs, altering the regulation of the genes involved in the cell cycle, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and other key signaling pathways. The embryo-fetal exposure to environmental, stressful, and proinflammatory triggers (first hit), seems to act as a ‘disease primer’, making fetal cells and tissues more susceptible to the subsequent environmental exposures (second hit), triggering the carcinogenic pathways. Furthermore, even at the molecular level, in carcinogenesis, ‘epigenetics precedes genetics’ as global DNA hypomethylation, and the hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes are common both in cancerous and in precancerous cells, and generally precede mutations. These epigenetic models may better explain the increase of cancer and chronic/degenerative diseases in the last decades and could be useful to adopt appropriate primary prevention measures, essentially based on the reduction of maternal-fetal and child exposure to several procarcinogenic agents and factors dispersed in the environment and in the food-chains, as recently suggested by the World Health Organization.
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Pregnolato M, Damiani G, Pereira A. Patterns of calcium signaling: A link between chronic emotions and cancer. J Integr Neurosci 2018; 16:S43-S63. [PMID: 29154288 DOI: 10.3233/jin-170066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra and inter-cellular calcium signaling is present in all types of cells and body tissues. In the human brain, calcium currents and waves are related to mental activities, including emotions. We present a theoretical interpretation of these phenomena suggesting their involvement in chronic emotional patterns and in the pathology of cancer. Recent developments on biophysics, translational biology and psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) can support explanatory hypotheses about the link between emotional stresses and the origin and development of different types of tumor cells. Chronic stresses may cause perturbations of rhythms of the PNEI system, excessive activation of HPA axis and abnormal activation of calcium signals in somatic tissues, with deleterious effects on different parts of the body. The increasing of calcium signaling inside cells may lead to a deregulation of different pathways and epigenetic systems that promote the production of genomic mutations in a second phase. In particular, the hyperactivation of the transcription nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), if is not counterbalanced by the following activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2 or Nrf2), increases the production of oxidative catabolites, as the advanced glycation end products (AGE), which play a key role in the progression of different types of cancer and other degenerative diseases. Cortisol binding to glucocorticoid receptor (GR) reduces the activity of both NF-κB and Nrf2 inside the cells but inhibits the cellular immunity and the anabolic processes of tissue regeneration. The tissue atrophy and the defective anti-ageing mechanisms promotes the tumoral cells growth and their escape from the immune-surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alfredo Pereira
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Brasil. E-mail:
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Coppedè F, Stoccoro A, Lazzarotti A, Spisni R, Migliore L. Investigation of GHSR and GHRL methylation in colorectal cancer. Epigenomics 2018; 10:1525-1539. [PMID: 29963901 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2018-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate GHSR and GHRL methylation in 73 pairs of colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and healthy adjacent mucosa. METHODS Methylation was assessed with methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. RESULTS GHSR was significantly hypermethylated in CRC tissues than in healthy mucosa (p < 1 × 10-5), but no significant changes of GHRL methylation were observed. GHSR hypermethylation was already detectable at the adenoma stage and maintained in later stages independently of age, gender, anatomical location, histological grading, MLH1 deficiency, as well as of major polymorphisms in folate-pathway genes, yielding an area under the curve of 0.824 for discriminating cancers from respective non-neoplastic mucosa specimens. CONCLUSION GHSR hypermethylation occurs early in CRC, but is not paralleled by significant changes of GHRL methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lazzarotti
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Spisni
- Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular, & Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, Medical Genetics Laboratory, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Tashireva LA, Perelmuter VM, Manskikh VN, Denisov EV, Savelieva OE, Kaygorodova EV, Zavyalova MV. Types of Immune-Inflammatory Responses as a Reflection of Cell-Cell Interactions under Conditions of Tissue Regeneration and Tumor Growth. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 82:542-555. [PMID: 28601064 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297917050029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory infiltration of tumor stroma is an integral reflection of reactions that develop in response to any damage to tumor cells including immune responses to antigens or necrosis caused by vascular disorders. In this review, we use the term "immune-inflammatory response" (IIR) that allows us to give an integral assessment of the cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment. Two main types of IIRs are discussed: type 1 and 2 T-helper reactions (Th1 and Th2), as well as their inducers: immunosuppressive responses and reactions mediated by Th22 and Th17 lymphocytes and capable of modifying the main types of IIRs. Cellular and molecular manifestations of each IIR type are analyzed and their general characteristics and roles in tissue regeneration and tumor growth are presented. Since inflammatory responses in a tumor can also be initiated by innate immunity mechanisms, special attention is given to inflammation based on them. We emphasize that processes accompanying tissue regeneration are prototypes of processes underlying cancer progression, and these processes have the same cellular and molecular substrates. We focus on evidence that tumor progression is mainly contributed by processes specific for the second phase of "wound healing" that are based on the Th2-type IIR. We emphasize that the effect of various types of immune and stroma cells on tumor progression is determined by the ability of the cells and their cytokines to promote or prevent the development of Th1- or Th2-type of IIR. Finally, we supposed that the nonspecific influence on the tumor caused by the cytokine context of the Th1- or Th2-type microenvironment should play a decisive role for suppression or stimulation of tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Tashireva
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 634050 Tomsk, Russia.
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Sage C, Burgio E. Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood Development. Child Dev 2017; 89:129-136. [PMID: 28504324 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mobile phones and other wireless devices that produce electromagnetic fields (EMF) and pulsed radiofrequency radiation (RFR) are widely documented to cause potentially harmful health impacts that can be detrimental to young people. New epigenetic studies are profiled in this review to account for some neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral changes due to exposure to wireless technologies. Symptoms of retarded memory, learning, cognition, attention, and behavioral problems have been reported in numerous studies and are similarly manifested in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, as a result of EMF and RFR exposures where both epigenetic drivers and genetic (DNA) damage are likely contributors. Technology benefits can be realized by adopting wired devices for education to avoid health risk and promote academic achievement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernesto Burgio
- International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE) Scientific Office
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14
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Piscitelli P, Marino I, Falco A, Rivezzi M, Romano R, Mazzella R, Neglia C, Della Rosa G, Pellerano G, Militerno G, Bonifacino A, Rivezzi G, Romizi R, Miserotti G, Montella M, Bianchi F, Marinelli A, De Donno A, De Filippis G, Serravezza G, Di Tanna G, Black D, Gennaro V, Ascolese M, Distante A, Burgio E, Crespi M, Colao A. Hospitalizations in Pediatric and Adult Patients for All Cancer Type in Italy: The EPIKIT Study under the E.U. COHEIRS Project on Environment and Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14050495. [PMID: 28486413 PMCID: PMC5451946 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14050495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: Cancer Registries (CRs) remain the gold standard for providing official epidemiological estimations. However, due to CRs’ partial population coverage, hospitalization records might represent a valuable tool to provide additional information on cancer occurrence and expenditures at national/regional level for research purposes. The Epidemiology of Cancer in Italy (EPIKIT) study group has been built up, within the framework of the Civic Observers for Health and Environment: Initiative of Responsibility and Sustainability (COHEIRS) project under the auspices of the Europe for Citizens Program, to assess population health indicators. Objective: To assess the burden of all cancers in Italian children and adults. Methods: We analyzed National Hospitalization Records from 2001 to 2011. Based on social security numbers (anonymously treated), we have excluded from our analyses all re-hospitalizations of the same patients (n = 1,878,109) over the entire 11-year period in order to minimize the overlap between prevalent and incident cancer cases. To be more conservative, only data concerning the last five years (2007–2011) have been taken into account for final analyses. The absolute number of hospitalizations and standardized hospitalization rates (SHR) were computed for each Italian province by sex and age-groups (0–19 and 20–49). Results: The EPIKIT database included a total of 4,113,169 first hospital admissions due to main diagnoses of all tumors. The annual average number of hospital admissions due to cancer in Italy has been computed in 2362 and 43,141 hospitalizations in pediatric patients (0–19 years old) and adults (20–49 years old), respectively. Women accounted for the majority of cancer cases in adults aged 20–49. As expected, the big city of Rome presented the highest average annual number of pediatric cancers (n = 392, SHR = 9.9), followed by Naples (n = 378; SHR = 9.9) and Milan (n = 212; SHR = 7.3). However, when we look at SHR, minor cities (i.e., Imperia, Isernia and others) presented values >10 per 100,000, with only 10 or 20 cases per year. Similar figures are shown also for young adults aged 20–49. Conclusions: In addition to SHR, the absolute number of incident cancer cases represents a crucial piece of information for planning adequate healthcare services and assessing social alarm phenomena. Our findings call for specific risk assessment programs at local level (involving CRs) to search for causal relations with environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisco Piscitelli
- Medicina Futura Research, Southern Italy Hospital Institute (IOS), Centro Direzionale, Isola E3, Palazzo Avalon, 80143 Naples, Italy.
| | - Immacolata Marino
- Department of Economics and Statistics and CSEF, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Andrea Falco
- Medicina Futura Research, Southern Italy Hospital Institute (IOS), Centro Direzionale, Isola E3, Palazzo Avalon, 80143 Naples, Italy.
| | - Matteo Rivezzi
- Medicina Futura Research, Southern Italy Hospital Institute (IOS), Centro Direzionale, Isola E3, Palazzo Avalon, 80143 Naples, Italy.
| | - Roberto Romano
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | - Restituta Mazzella
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | - Cosimo Neglia
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | - Giulia Della Rosa
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Pellerano
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | | | | | - Gaetano Rivezzi
- Division of Neonatology, St. Anna & St. Sebastiano Hospital, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
| | | | | | - Maurizio Montella
- IRCCS G. Pascale Foundation, National Cancer Institute, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Alessandra Marinelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples (SUN), 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonella De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DISTEBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | | | | | - Gianluca Di Tanna
- Centre of Primary Care and Public Health, Queen Mary University of London, London E14NS, UK.
| | - Dennis Black
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Valerio Gennaro
- National Cancer Institute IRCCS San Martino, 16121 Genova, Italy.
| | - Mario Ascolese
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Salerno University Hospital "Ruggi D'Aragona", 84100 Salerno, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Distante
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Bio-Medical Institute, ISBEM, 72023 Mesagne (Brindisi), Italy.
| | - Ernesto Burgio
- European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), 21004 Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | | | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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15
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Seyfried TN, Yu G, Maroon JC, D'Agostino DP. Press-pulse: a novel therapeutic strategy for the metabolic management of cancer. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2017; 14:19. [PMID: 28250801 PMCID: PMC5324220 DOI: 10.1186/s12986-017-0178-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A shift from respiration to fermentation is a common metabolic hallmark of cancer cells. As a result, glucose and glutamine become the prime fuels for driving the dysregulated growth of tumors. The simultaneous occurrence of "Press-Pulse" disturbances was considered the mechanism responsible for reduction of organic populations during prior evolutionary epochs. Press disturbances produce chronic stress, while pulse disturbances produce acute stress on populations. It was only when both disturbances coincide that population reduction occurred. METHODS This general concept can be applied to the management of cancer by creating chronic metabolic stresses on tumor cell energy metabolism (press disturbance) that are coupled to a series of acute metabolic stressors that restrict glucose and glutamine availability while also stimulating cancer-specific oxidative stress (pulse disturbances). The elevation of non-fermentable ketone bodies protect normal cells from energy stress while further enhancing energy stress in tumor cells that lack the metabolic flexibility to use ketones as an efficient energy source. Mitochondrial abnormalities and genetic mutations make tumor cells vulnerable metabolic stress. RESULTS The press-pulse therapeutic strategy for cancer management is illustrated with calorie restricted ketogenic diets (KD-R) used together with drugs and procedures that create both chronic and intermittent acute stress on tumor cell energy metabolism, while protecting and enhancing the energy metabolism of normal cells. CONCLUSIONS Optimization of dosing, timing, and scheduling of the press-pulse therapeutic strategy will facilitate the eradication of tumor cells with minimal patient toxicity. This therapeutic strategy can be used as a framework for the design of clinical trials for the non-toxic management of most cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Yu
- George Washington University Medical Center Washington DC, and Aegis Medical & Research Associates Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph C Maroon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Suite 5C, 200 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Dominic P D'Agostino
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida USA
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16
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Del Pup L, Mantovani A, Cavaliere C, Facchini G, Luce A, Sperlongano P, Caraglia M, Berretta M. Carcinogenetic mechanisms of endocrine disruptors in female cancers (Review). Oncol Rep 2016; 36:603-12. [PMID: 27349723 PMCID: PMC4933552 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are pollutants that alter the endocrine system and are involved in carcinogenesis. EDs have multiple and complex levels of action. They can affect the synthesis, release and transport of natural hormones. In target tissues, EDs can reduce or increase the effects of natural hormones on their receptors and change signaling cascades. When ED exposure happens at critical periods of life, from embryo to puberty, they can act at doses considered safe for an adult. Furthermore, their epigenetic effects can also influence the cancer risk of future generations. The cancer mechanisms of known EDs are hereby reviewed, There are thousands of newly introduced substances whose potential endocrine-disrupting and cancer effects are completely unknown. Although there are still gaps in our knowledge, these data support the urgent need for health and environmental policies aimed at protecting the public and in particular, the developing fetus and women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lino Del Pup
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, I-33081 Aviano
| | | | - Carla Cavaliere
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Uro-Gynaecological Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale' - IRCCS, I-80131 Naples
| | - Gaetano Facchini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Uro-Gynaecological Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale' - IRCCS, I-80131 Naples
| | - Amalia Luce
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, I-80138 Naples
| | - Pasquale Sperlongano
- Unit of General and Geriatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, I-80137 Naples
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, I-80138 Naples
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Medical Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
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17
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Jiang P, Wang P, Sun X, Yuan Z, Zhan R, Ma X, Li W. Knockdown of long noncoding RNA H19 sensitizes human glioma cells to temozolomide therapy. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:3501-9. [PMID: 27366087 PMCID: PMC4913544 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s96278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) is commonly used in glioma chemotherapy. However, a great clinical challenge for TMZ is chemoresistance. H19 transcripts are recognized as long noncoding RNAs, which potentially interact with chromatin-modifying complexes to regulate gene expression via epigenetic changes. Our data based on glioma patients showed that the expression of H19 was significantly upregulated in TMZ-resistant tumors compared with the TMZ-sensitive tumors. To determine the function of H19 in glioma, cell lines U87 and U251 were exposed to TMZ to establish TMZ-resistant clones U87(TMZ) and U251(TMZ). In U87(TMZ) and U251(TMZ), the expression level of H19 transcripts was increased compared to wild-type or nonresistant clones, as determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Concomitant treatment with small interfering RNA specifically targeting H19 and TMZ in resistant glioma clones resulted in decreased IC50 values for TMZ, and increased apoptotic rates than control small interfering RNA-treated cells. This was also evident by the increased PARP cleavage in resistant cells exposed to TMZ + si-H19. Furthermore, the reduced expression of H19 altered major drug resistance genes, such as MDR, MRP, and ABCG2, both at the mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that H19 plays an important role in the development of TMZ resistance, and may represent a novel therapeutic target for TMZ-resistant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Jiang
- Medical Department, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Wang
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Sun
- Neurosurgery Department, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongshun Yuan
- Neurosurgery Department, Yinan People's Hospital, Linyi, People's Republic of China
| | - Rucai Zhan
- Neurosurgery Department, No 3 Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Ma
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Li
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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18
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Peng Q, Wang Y, Quan H, Li Y, Tang Z. Oral verrucous carcinoma: From multifactorial etiology to diverse treatment regimens (Review). Int J Oncol 2016; 49:59-73. [PMID: 27121637 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) is a verrucous variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for 2-12% of all oral carcinomas with a 5-year survival rate of only approximately 50%. Enormous effort has been dedicated to this cancer, and the past decades have witnessed significant advances in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Currently, there exist three challenges from primary sub-fields of research and clinical practice of the cancer, namely multifactorial etiology, complex molecular mechanism, and deficient treatment. This study reviews the existing literature on the cancer, encompassing its etiology, clinical manifestations and pathology, molecular mechanism, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment. For improved treatment of OVC, multifactorial etiology analysis, incorporation of effective biomarkers for mechanism illustration, and integration of multidisciplinary modalities are expounded, in an attempt to resolve the challenges and to provide a useful guide for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Peng
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Yuehong Wang
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Hongzhi Quan
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Yiping Li
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Zhangui Tang
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
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19
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Wiemann J, Heller L, Csuk R. Targeting cancer cells with oleanolic and ursolic acid derived hydroxamates. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:907-909. [PMID: 26750249 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.12.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oleanolic and ursolic acid derived hydroxamates were easily obtained from their parent compounds; they were screened for their cytotoxicity applying SRB assays employing several human tumor cell lines. Low EC50 values were determined for compounds in which the nitrogen as well as the oxygen in the hydroxamic acid part still holds acidic hydrogens. Thus, ursolic acid derived compounds having at least an OH and/or NH moiety in the hydroxamate part of the molecule showed good cytotoxicity but they are significantly less selective for the tumor cells than oleanolic acid derived compounds. Good results were determined for oleanolic acid derived 7 for tumor cell lines 518A2 (melanoma, EC50=3.3 μM), A2780 (ovarian carcinoma, EC50=3.4 μM) and HT29 (colon adenocarcinoma, EC50=5.6 μM) while being significantly less cytotoxic for fibroblasts (EC50=20.4 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Wiemann
- Martin-Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Bereich Organische Chemie, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Lucie Heller
- Martin-Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Bereich Organische Chemie, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - René Csuk
- Martin-Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Bereich Organische Chemie, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
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20
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Prindull G. Potential Gene Interactions in the Cell Cycles of Gametes, Zygotes, Embryonic Stem Cells and the Development of Cancer. Front Oncol 2015; 5:200. [PMID: 26442212 PMCID: PMC4585297 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review is to explore whether potential gene interactions in the cell cycles of gametes, zygotes, and embryonic stem (ES) cells are associated with the development of cancer. METHODS MEDPILOT at the Central Library of the University of Cologne, Germany (Zentralbibliothek Köln) that covers 5,800 international medical journals and 4,300 E-journals was used to collect data. The initial searches were done in December 2012 and additional searches in October 2013-May 2015. The search terms included "cancer development," "gene interaction," and "ES cells," and the time period was between 1998 and 2015. A total of 147 articles in English language only were included in this review. RESULTS Transgenerational gene translation is implemented in the zygote through interactions of epigenetic isoforms of transcription factors (TFs) from parental gametes, predominantly during the first two zygote cleavages. Pluripotent transcription factors may provide interacting links with mutated genes during zygote-to-ES cell switches. Translation of post-transcriptional carcinogenic genes is implemented by abnormally spliced, tumor-specific isoforms of gene-encoded mRNA/non-coding RNA variants of TFs employing de novo gene synthesis and neofunctionalization. Post-translationally, mutated genes are preserved in pre-neoplastic ES cell subpopulations that can give rise to overt cancer stem cells. Thus, TFs operate as cell/disease-specific epigenetic messengers triggering clinical expression of neoplasms. CONCLUSION Potential gene interactions in the cell cycle of gametes, zygotes, and ES cells may play some roles in the development of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Prindull
- Medical Faculty, University of Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
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21
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Albini A, Cavuto S, Apolone G, Noonan DM. Strategies to Prevent "Bad Luck" in Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2015; 107:djv213. [PMID: 26242894 PMCID: PMC4605730 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is impossible to predict exactly who will develop a cancer and who will not. We know that several “risk factors” may increase the chance of getting cancer and that risk increases with age. However, even with that in mind we seem to be able to explain only a certain number of cancers. Recently, Tomasetti and Vogelstein published a provocative article in Science stating that a large percentage of cancers may be due to “bad luck” (stochastic mutation events during DNA replication) and only a few to carcinogens, pathogens, or inherited genes and that this should impact public health policies. However, their intriguing analysis has numerous limitations, some of which have already been commented upon, including the likely biased subset of cancers and that finding a correlation does not signify a cause-effect mechanism. Here, we point out that there may also be an alternative explanation for the data, the cancer stem cell hypothesis, which postulates that cancers are derived from tissue stem cells and not from somatic differentiated cells. We also highlight the importance of the tissue microenvironment in the growth of transformed cells and outline a table of concurrent factors for several cancers. The message communicated to the public should not be one of helplessness in avoiding cancers, particularly given the now extensive knowledge of known risk factors and several agents/behaviors that can lower risk for specific cancers. While some tumors will still be due to chance, prevention should still be a primary goal for public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Albini
- IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova in Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA, SC, GA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN); Science and Technology Center, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (DMN).
| | - Silvio Cavuto
- IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova in Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA, SC, GA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN); Science and Technology Center, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (DMN)
| | - Giovanni Apolone
- IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova in Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA, SC, GA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN); Science and Technology Center, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (DMN)
| | - Douglas M Noonan
- IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova in Reggio Emilia, Italy (AA, SC, GA); Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy (DMN); Science and Technology Center, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy (DMN)
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22
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Valdespino V, Valdespino PM. Potential of epigenetic therapies in the management of solid tumors. Cancer Manag Res 2015; 7:241-51. [PMID: 26346546 PMCID: PMC4529253 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s70358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease with both genetic and epigenetic origins. The growing field of epigenetics has contributed to our understanding of oncogenesis and tumor progression, and has allowed the development of novel therapeutic drugs. First-generation epigenetic inhibitor drugs have obtained modest clinical results in two types of hematological malignancy. Second-generation epigenetic inhibitors are in development, and have intrinsically greater selectivity for their molecular targets. Solid tumors are more genetic and epigenetically complex than hematological malignancies, but the transcriptome and epigenome biomarkers have been identified for many of these malignancies. This solid tumor molecular aberration profile may be modified using specific or quasi-specific epidrugs together with conventional and innovative anticancer treatments. In this critical review, we briefly analyze the strategies to select the targeted epigenetic changes, enumerate the second-generation epigenetic inhibitors, and describe the main signs indicating the potential of epigenetic therapies in the management of solid tumors. We also highlight the work of consortia or academic organizations that support the undertaking of human epigenetic therapeutic projects as well as some examples of transcriptome/epigenome profile determination in clinical assessment of cancer patients treated with epidrugs. There is a good chance that epigenetic therapies will be able to be used in patients with solid tumors in the future. This may happen soon through collaboration of diverse scientific groups, making the selection of targeted epigenetic aberration(s) more rapid, the design and probe of drug candidates, accelerating in vitro and in vivo assays, and undertaking new cancer epigenetic-therapy clinical trails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Valdespino
- Health Attention Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico
| | - Patricia M Valdespino
- Bacterial Ecology and Epigenetics Laboratory, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
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23
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Abstract
Cancer is widely considered a genetic disease involving nuclear mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. This view persists despite the numerous inconsistencies associated with the somatic mutation theory. In contrast to the somatic mutation theory, emerging evidence suggests that cancer is a mitochondrial metabolic disease, according to the original theory of Otto Warburg. The findings are reviewed from nuclear cytoplasm transfer experiments that relate to the origin of cancer. The evidence from these experiments is difficult to reconcile with the somatic mutation theory, but is consistent with the notion that cancer is primarily a mitochondrial metabolic disease.
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24
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Del Pup L, Mantovani A, Luce A, Cavaliere C, Facchini G, Di Francia R, Caraglia M, Berretta M. Endocrine disruptors and female cancer: Informing the patients (Review). Oncol Rep 2015; 34:3-11. [PMID: 25998096 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.3997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollutants altering the endocrine system, known as endocrine disruptors (ED), may modify the risk of female cancers. The carcinogenic effect of ED on humans has been confirmed by experimental studies for various substances including pesticides, DDT, dioxins, phthalates, bisphenol A, diethylstilbestrol, as well as heavy metals, but it is difficult to quantify precisely for several reasons hereby reviewed. Carcinogenesis is a complex and multifactorial mechanism that manifests itself over a long period of time, making difficult the detection of the specific contribution of the pollutants, whose absorbed dose is often unknown. The combined effect of various substances leads to complex interactions whose outcome is difficult to predict. These substances may accumulate and carry out their harmful effect on critical periods of life, probably also at doses considered harmless to an adult. ED can also have epigenetic adverse effects on the health of future generations. In conclusion, the carcinogenic effects of endocrine disruptors on female cancer types is plausible although additional studies are needed to clarify their mechanisms and entities. In the last part of the review we suggest ways to reduce ED exposure as it is mandatory to implement necessary measures to limit exposure, particularly during those periods of life most vulnerable to the impact of oncogenic environmental causes, such as the embryonic period and puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lino Del Pup
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
| | | | - Amalia Luce
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Cavaliere
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Uro-Gynaecological Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori ̔Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Facchini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Uro-Gynaecological Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori ̔Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Di Francia
- Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori ̔Fondazione Giovanni Pascale', IRCCS, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Medical Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
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25
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Hong Y, Shang C, Xue YX, Liu YH. Silencing of Bmi-1 gene enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in human glioblastoma cells. Med Sci Monit 2015; 21:1002-7. [PMID: 25858624 PMCID: PMC4399481 DOI: 10.12659/msm.893754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the BMI1 gene on chemotherapy sensitivity in human glioma cells. MATERIAL/METHODS The expression of the BMI1 gene in 41 cases of human brain glioma was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The silencing effect of RNA interference on the BMI1 gene was detected by Western blot. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT) and flow cytometry methods were used to determine the cell viability and apoptosis rate of the U251 cells with BMI1 silencing. After those U251 cells were treated with Cisplatin (DDP), the cell viability and apoptosis rate were further detected. RESULTS The BMI1 mRNA in glioma was remarkably up-regulated, 176.3% as much as that in peri-cancerous tissues (P<0.05). The siRNA-BMI1 significantly and effectually inhibited the expression of BMI1 protein (P<0.05). The cell viability decreased in U251 cells with BMI1 silenced, and the apoptosis rate upgraded significantly (P<0.05 for both). After treating with DDP at various concentrations (1, 3, and 5 μg/ml), the cell viability in the BMI1-slienced U251 cells was much lower than that in corresponding control U251 cells at each DDP concentration (P<0.05 for all), and the apoptosis rate showed the opposite changing trends (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS There is a notable relationship between the over-expression of BMI1 and the carcinogenesis of gliomas. The silence of BMI1 inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced the apoptosis of the U251 cells, and increased the chemotherapy sensitivity of U251 cells to DDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Chao Shang
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Yi-xue Xue
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
| | - Yun-hui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China (mainland)
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