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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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Ni YL, Chien PJ, Hsieh HC, Shen HT, Lee HT, Chen SM, Chang WW. Disulfiram/Copper Suppresses Cancer Stem Cell Activity in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Cells by Inhibiting BMI1 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13276. [PMID: 36362068 PMCID: PMC9654490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs), which have papillary and follicular types, are common endocrine malignancies worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a particular type of cancer cells within bulk tumors involved in cancer initiation, drug resistance, and metastasis. Cells with high intracellular aldehyde hydrogenase (ALDH) activity are a population of CSCs in DTCs. Disulfiram (DSF), an ALDH inhibitor used for the treatment of alcoholism, reportedly targets CSCs in various cancers when combined with copper. This study reported for the first time that DSF/copper can inhibit the proliferation of papillary and follicular DTC lines. DSF/copper suppressed thyrosphere formation, indicating the inhibition of CSC activity. Molecular mechanisms of DSF/copper involved downregulating the expression of B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) and cell cycle-related proteins, including cyclin B2, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, and CDK4, in a dose-dependent manner. BMI1 overexpression diminished the inhibitory effect of DSF/copper in the thyrosphere formation of DTC cells. BMI1 knockdown by RNA interference in DTC cells also suppressed the self-renewal capability. DSF/copper could inhibit the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of c-Myc and the binding of E2F1 to the BMI1 promoter. Overexpression of c-Myc or E2F1 further abolished the inhibitory effect of DSF/copper on BMI1 expression, suggesting that the suppression of c-Myc and E2F1 by DSF/copper was involved in the downregulation of BMI1 expression. In conclusion, DSF/copper targets CSCs in DTCs by inhibiting c-Myc- or E2F1-mediated BMI1 expression. Therefore, DSF is a potential therapeutic agent for future therapy in DTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Lun Ni
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung City 427213, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Ju Chien
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402306, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chia Hsieh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402306, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Ting Shen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung City 427213, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Te Lee
- Institute of Anatomy & Cell Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City 112304, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Chen
- Bachelor Program in Health Care and Social Work for Indigenous Students, Providence University, Taichung City 433303, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wei Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 402306, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 402306, Taiwan
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Cui Y, Liu Y, Mu L, Li Y, Wu G. Transcriptional Expressions of ALDH1A1/B1 as Independent Indicators for the Survival of Thyroid Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:821958. [PMID: 35280765 PMCID: PMC8905520 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.821958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1 is an important enzyme involved in the regulation of several cellular mechanisms via aldehyde detoxification. High ALDH1 levels were correlated with tumorigenesis and stemness maintenance in cancer. Methods We used UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan–Meier plotter, TISIDB, TIMER, and KOBAS databases to investigate the expression and role of ALDH1 in thyroid cancer progression. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the expression of the target genes in thyroid cancer cell lines and cancer tissues. Results Expression of ALDH1A1/B1 was significantly decreased based on individual cancer stages and tumor histology, and high levels of ALDH1A1/B1 were associated with poor overall survival in thyroid cancer patients. Moreover, ALDH1A1/B1 expression was negatively correlated with immune-stimulating genes, major histocompatibility complex, chemokines, and receptors. Conclusions These results suggest that ALDH1A1/B1 might serve as potential prognostic biomarkers for thyroid cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Lan Mu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
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Zhang L, Xu S, Cheng X, Zheng J, Wang Y, Wu J, Wang X, Wu L, Yu H, Bao J. Diallyl trisulphide, a H 2 S donor, compromises the stem cell phenotype and restores thyroid-specific gene expression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells by targeting AKT-SOX2 axis. Phytother Res 2021; 35:3428-3443. [PMID: 33751676 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), a rare, extremely aggressive malignant, is enriched by cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are closely related to the pathogenesis of ATC. In the present study, we demonstrated that diallyl trisulphide (DATS), a well-known hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) donor, suppressed sphere formation and restored the expression of iodide-metabolizing genes in human ATC cells, which were associated with H2 S generation. Two other H2 S donors, NaHS and GYY4137, could also suppress the self-renewal properties of ATC cells in vitro. Compared with normal thyroid tissues and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), the elevated expressions of SOX2 and MYC, two cancer stem cell markers, in ATCs were validated in the combined Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort. DATS decreased the expression of SOX2, which was mediated by H2 S generation. Furthermore, knockdown of AKT or inhibition of AKT by DATS led to a decrease of SOX2 expression in ATC cells. AKT knockdown phenocopied restoration of thyroid-specific gene expression in ATC cells. Our data suggest that H2 S donors treatment can compromise the stem cell phenotype and restore thyroid-specific gene expression of ATC cells by targeting AKT-SOX2 pathway, which may serve as a therapeutic strategy to intervene the CSC progression of ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China.,Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shichen Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Xian Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiangxia Zheng
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yunping Wang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jing Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Liying Wu
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Huixin Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiandong Bao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
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Lee S, Bae JS, Jung CK, Chung WY. Extensive lymphatic spread of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is associated with an increase in expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell-like properties. Cancer Med 2019; 8:6528-6537. [PMID: 31498560 PMCID: PMC6825983 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Active surveillance is an alternative management for patents with low‐risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC); however, there is an absence of specific molecular markers that predict its progression. We compared gene expression patterns between PTMC with lateral neck‐node metastasis (N1b) and PTMC‐lacking nodal metastasis (N0). Methods We performed oligonucleotide microarray analysis in three PTMCs without cervical lymph‐node metastases (N0), and five PTMCs with lateral neck‐node metastasis (N1b) at initial diagnosis, using an Illumina HumanHT‐12 v4.0 Expression BeadChip. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) and western blot analysis confirmed microarray data. We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to confirm protein overexpression in samples from 20 N0 and 24 N1b PTMC patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Results Microarray analyses identified 52 probes corresponding to 45 genes. Expression of these genes differed significantly between the two PTMC groups. Forty genes were significantly upregulated and five genes were downregulated in N1b PTMC compared to N0. Four genes related to epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cell markers, including ALDH1A3, TM4SF1, PROM1, and CAV1 were significantly upregulated in N1b PTMCs. Real‐time qPCR confirmed this expression and western blot analysis confirmed higher expression of ALDH1A3, TM4SF1, PROM1, and CAV1 in N1b than in N0 PTMCs. IHC indicated overexpression of ALDH1A3 and CAV1 in N1b compared to N0 PTMCs. Conclusions Genes related to EMT and thyroid cancer stem cell‐like properties are upregulated in early extensive lymphatic spread of PTMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohee Lee
- Department of Surgery, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Seong Bae
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Kwon Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Youn Chung
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Shiraiwa K, Matsuse M, Nakazawa Y, Ogi T, Suzuki K, Saenko V, Xu S, Umezawa K, Yamashita S, Tsukamoto K, Mitsutake N. JAK/STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways Regulate Cancer Stem-Cell Properties in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells. Thyroid 2019; 29:674-682. [PMID: 30784360 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2018.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and refractory cancers, and a therapy with a new concept needs to be developed. Recently, research on cancer stem cells (CSCs) has progressed, and CSCs have been suggested to be responsible for metastasis, recurrence, and therapy resistance. In ATC-CSCs, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is the most reliable marker to enrich CSCs. However, it is just a marker and is not involved in CSC properties. The present study therefore aimed to identify key signaling pathways specific for ATC-CSCs. Methods: A small interfering RNA library targeting 719 kinases was used in a sphere formation assay and cell survival assay using ATC cell lines to select target molecules specific for CSC properties. The functions of the selected candidates were confirmed by sphere formation, cell survival, soft agar, and nude mice xenograft assays using small compound inhibitors. Results: The study focused on PDGFR, JAK, and PIM, whose small interfering RNAs had a higher inhibitory effect on sphere formation, as well as a lower or no effect on regular cell growth in both FRO and KTC3 cells. Next, inhibitors of PDGFR, JAK, STAT3, PIM and NF-κB were used, and all of them successfully suppressed sphere formation in a dose-dependent manner but not regular cell growth, confirming the screening results. Inhibition of the JAK/STAT3 and NF-κB pathways also reduced anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and tumor growth in nude mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that JAK/STAT3 and NF-κB signals play important roles in ATC-CSCs. Targeting these signaling pathways may be a promising approach to treat ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Shiraiwa
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- 2 Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Michiko Matsuse
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yuka Nakazawa
- 3 Department of Genome Repair, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- 3 Department of Genome Repair, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Keiji Suzuki
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Vladimir Saenko
- 4 Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shuhang Xu
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuo Umezawa
- 5 Department of Molecular Target Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shunichi Yamashita
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Tsukamoto
- 2 Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Norisato Mitsutake
- 1 Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Toledo-Guzmán ME, Hernández MI, Gómez-Gallegos ÁA, Ortiz-Sánchez E. ALDH as a Stem Cell Marker in Solid Tumors. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 14:375-388. [PMID: 30095061 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x13666180810120012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is an enzyme that participates in important cellular mechanisms as aldehyde detoxification and retinoic acid synthesis; moreover, ALDH activity is involved in drug resistance, a characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Even though ALDH is found in stem cells, CSCs and progenitor cells, this enzyme has been successfully used to identify and isolate cell populations with CSC properties from several tumor origins. ALDH is allegedly involved in cell differentiation through its product, retinoic acid. However, direct or indirect ALDH inhibition, using specific inhibitors or retinoic acid, has shown a reduction in ALDH activity, along with the loss of stem cell traits, reduction of cell proliferation, invasion, and drug sensitization. For these reasons, ALDH and retinoic acid are promising therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the current evidence for ALDH as a CSCs marker in solid tumors, as well as current knowledge about the functional roles of ALDH in CSCs. We discuss the controversy of ALDH activity to maintain CSC stemness, or conversely, to promote cell differentiation. Finally, we review the advances in using ALDH inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel E Toledo-Guzmán
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ibañez Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ángel A Gómez-Gallegos
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz-Sánchez
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
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8
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Shimamura M, Yamamoto K, Kurashige T, Nagayama Y. Intracellular redox status controls spherogenicity, an in vitro cancer stem cell marker, in thyroid cancer cell lines. Exp Cell Res 2018; 370:699-707. [PMID: 30053445 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small fraction of a tumor mass, are proposed to be highly crucial for cancer initiation, recurrence and metastasis. We have recently found that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1A3 is a CSC marker in some thyroid cancer cell lines, whose functional activity is, however, not relevant for thyroid cancer stemness. Since previous studies on malignancies in other organs suggest that intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be a functional and targetable CSC marker, the present study was conducted to elucidate the significance of ROS as a functional CSC marker in thyroid cancer cell lines. We first found that ROS levels controlled spherogenicity; that is, ROSlow cells were more spherogenic than ROShigh cells. However, unlike typical CSCs in other cancers, CSC-like ROSlow cells in thyroid cancer cells were plastic and were not accompanied by de-differentiation status (i.e., expression of stemness markers/thyroid-specific transcription factors) or chemo-/radio-resistance. The lower levels of ROS were functionally critical because a forced increase in ROS levels by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione (GSH) synthesis, and irradiation suppressed spherogenicity. ROS levels were also correlated with the number of double strand DNA breaks determined by 53BP1 staining. Lower ROS levels appear to be a result of decreased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and elevated GSH contents. Given the importance of CSC-targeted therapy for achieving long-term disease eradication by exhausting self-renewal and growth potential of cancer tissues, ROS may be a good candidate for CSC-targeted therapy in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Shimamura
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamamoto
- Biomedical Research Support Center, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kurashige
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yuji Nagayama
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
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Rashid FA, Mansoor Q, Tabassum S, Aziz H, Arfat WO, Naoum GE, Ismail M, Farooqi AA. Signaling cascades in thyroid cancer: Increasing the armory of archers to hit bullseye. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:3798-3808. [PMID: 29243843 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a multifaceted and therapeutically challenging disease and rapidly accumulating experimentally verified findings have considerably improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms which underlie its development. Substantial fraction of information has been added into existing landscape of molecular oncology and we have started to develop a sharper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of thyroid cancer. Wealth of information demystified different intracellular signaling cascades which are frequently deregulated in thyroid cancer. In vitro assays and xenografted mice based studies have helped us to identify drug targets and different synthetic and natural products are currently being tested to effectively treat thyroid cancer. Cabozantinib and vandetanib have been approved to treat medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and two agents (lenvatinib and sorafenib) are also being used to treat radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. This review comprehensively summarizes most recent advancements in our knowledge related to dysregulated intracellular signaling cascades in thyroid cancer and how different proteins can be therapeutically exploited. (1) We discuss how loss of TRAIL mediated apoptosis occurred in thyroid cancer cells and how different strategies can be used to restore apoptosis in resistant cancer cells; (2) We provide detailed account of seemingly opposite roles of NOTCH signaling in thyroid cancers; (3) TGF/SMAD mediated signaling also needs detailed research because of context dependent role in thyroid cancer. Researchers have only begun to scratch the surface of how TGF signaling works in thyroid cancer and metastasis; and (4) Role of SHH signaling in thyroid cancer stem cells is also well appreciated and targeting of SHH pathway will be an important aspect in treatment of thyroid cancer. Better concepts and improved knowledge will be helpful for clinicians in getting a step closer to individualized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Abdul Rashid
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad, Pakistan.,Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Qaisar Mansoor
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Tabassum
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hafsa Aziz
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, H-10 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Waleed O Arfat
- Alexandria Comprehensive Cancer Center, Alexandria, Egypt.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - George E Naoum
- Alexandria Comprehensive Cancer Center, Alexandria, Egypt.,Department of Radiation oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Muhammad Ismail
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad, Pakistan
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Update of ALDH as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for AML. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018. [PMID: 29516013 PMCID: PMC5817321 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9192104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies employing mouse transplantation have illustrated the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) defining hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Besides being a molecular marker, ALDH mediates drug resistance in AML, which induces poor prognosis of the patients. In AML patients, either CD34+ALDHbr population or CD34+CD38-ALDHint population was found to denote LSCs and minimal residual disease (MRD). A bunch of reagents targeting ALDH directly or indirectly have been evaluated. ATRA, disulfiram, and dimethyl ampal thiolester (DIMATE) are all shown to be potential candidates to open new perspective for AML treatment. However, inconsistent results have been shown for markers of LSCs, which makes it even more difficult to differentiate LSCs and HSCs. In this review, we elevated the role of ALDH to be a potential marker to define and distinguish HSCs and LSCs and its importance in prognosis and target therapy in AML patients. In addition to immunophenotypical markers, ALDH is also functionally active in defining and distinguishing HSCs and LSCs and offers intracellular protections against cytotoxic drugs. Targeting ALDH may be a potential strategy to improve AML treatment. Additional studies concerning specific targeting ALDH and mechanisms of its roles in LSCs are warranted.
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11
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Xu X, Lu Y, Li Y, Prinz RA. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Thyroid Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:284. [PMID: 29163356 PMCID: PMC5670164 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. The initiation of thyroid cancer is often triggered by a genetic mutation in the phosphortidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, such as RAS and BRAF, or by the rearrangement of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase genes such as RET/PTC. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays an important role in the embryonic development of normal tissues and organs. Gene mutations in the Shh pathway are involved in basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Activation of the Shh pathway due to overexpression of the genes encoding the components of this pathway stimulates the growth and spread of a wide range of cancer types. The Shh pathway also plays an important role in cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal. GDC-0449 and LDE-225, two inhibitors of this pathway, have been approved for treating BCC and are being tested as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for treating various other cancers. Here, we review the recent findings on activation of the Shh pathway in thyroid cancer and its role in maintaining thyroid CSC self-renewal. We also summarize the recent developments on crosstalk of the Shh pathway with the MAPK and PI3K oncogenic pathways, and its implications for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulong Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Xiulong Xu, ,
| | - Yurong Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard A. Prinz
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, United States
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