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Gu Y, Mu Q, Cheng D. Androgens in cervical cancer: Their role in epidemiology and biology. iScience 2024; 27:110155. [PMID: 39021790 PMCID: PMC11253156 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the significance of androgens in cervical cancer, examining both epidemiological evidence and the underlying biological mechanisms. Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women globally, with disproportionately higher incidence and mortality rates in less developed regions where cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) screening remains limited. Recent research highlights the previously underexplored role of androgens in cervical cancer. Notably, cervical tissues house androgen receptors, and elevated levels of endogenous androgens have been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer. Androgens exert their influence on the development and progression of cervical cancer by impacting key cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and epithelial cell transformation. Furthermore, specific HPV subtypes may interact with androgens, potentially modulating HPV-related cellular degeneration and transformation. In light of these findings, it is evident that androgens assume a crucial role in cervical cancer's pathogenesis. Consequently, further investigations are warranted to deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between androgens and cervical cancer. Such knowledge advancements can facilitate improved strategies for early prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, especially in regions with limited HPV screening access. This review underscores the importance of considering androgens as a vital component of the multifaceted landscape of cervical cancer etiology and progression, ultimately contributing to more effective clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Qing Mu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Dali Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
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2
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Gogola-Mruk J, Pietrus M, Piechowicz M, Milian-Ciesielska K, Głód P, Wolnicka-Glubisz A, Szpor J, Ptak A. Low androgen/progesterone or high oestrogen/androgen receptors ratio in serous ovarian cancer predicts longer survival. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100917. [PMID: 38970978 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the greatest challenges in gynaecological oncology. The presence of classic steroid receptors in OC makes hormone therapy an attractive option; however, the response of OC to hormone therapy is modest. Here, we compared the expression patterns of progesterone (PGR), androgen (AR) and oestrogen alpha (ERα) receptors between serous OC cell lines and non-cancer ovarian cells. These data were analysed in relation to steroid receptor expression profiles from patient tumour samples and survival outcomes using a bioinformatics approach. The results showed that ERα, PGR and AR were co-expressed in OC cell lines, and patient samples from high-grade and low-grade OC co-expressed at least two steroid receptors. High AR expression was negatively correlated, whereas ERα and PGR expression was positively correlated with patient survival. AR showed the opposite expression pattern to that of ERα and PGR in type 1 (SKOV-3) and 2 (OVCAR-3) OC cell lines compared with non-cancer (HOSEpiC) ovarian cells, with AR downregulated in type 1 and upregulated in type 2 OC. A low AR/PGR ratio and a high ESR1/AR ratio were associated with favourable survival outcomes in OC compared with other receptor ratios. Although the results must be interpreted with caution because of the small number of primary tumour samples analysed, they nevertheless suggest that the evaluation of ERα, AR and PGR by immunohistochemistry should be performed in patient biological material to plan future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Gogola-Mruk
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow 30-387, Poland
| | - Miłosz Pietrus
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków 31-501, Poland
| | - Maryla Piechowicz
- Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow 30-387, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Milian-Ciesielska
- Department of Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow 31-531, Poland
| | - Paulina Głód
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow 30-387, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kracow 30-348, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wolnicka-Glubisz
- Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow 30-387, Poland
| | - Joanna Szpor
- Department of Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow 31-531, Poland
| | - Anna Ptak
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow 30-387, Poland.
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3
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Alfandari A, Moskovich D, Weisz A, Katzav A, Kidron D, Beiner M, Josephy D, Asali A, Hants Y, Yagur Y, Weitzner O, Ellis M, Itchaki G, Ashur-Fabian O. The selenoenzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase: a new tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38429887 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The selenoenzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO1) catalyzes removal of iodine atoms from thyroid hormones. Although DIO1 action is reported to be disturbed in several malignancies, no work has been conducted in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the most lethal gynecologic cancer. We studied DIO1 expression in HGSOC patients [The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and tumor tissues], human cell lines (ES-2 and Kuramochi), normal Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO-K1), and normal human fallopian tube cells (FT282 and FT109). To study its functional role, DIO1 was overexpressed, inhibited [by propylthiouracil (PTU)], or knocked down (KD), and cell count, proliferation, apoptosis, cell viability, and proteomics analysis were performed. Lower DIO1 levels were observed in HGSOC compared to normal cells and tissues. TCGA analyses confirmed that low DIO1 mRNA expression correlated with worse survival and therapy resistance in patients. Silencing or inhibiting the enzyme led to enhanced ovarian cancer proliferation, while an opposite effect was shown following DIO1 ectopic expression. Proteomics analysis in DIO1-KD cells revealed global changes in proteins that facilitate tumor metabolism and progression. In conclusion, DIO1 expression and ovarian cancer progression are inversely correlated, highlighting a tumor suppressive role for this enzyme and its potential use as a biomarker in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Alfandari
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Hematology Institute, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Dotan Moskovich
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Hematology Institute, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Avivit Weisz
- Department of Pathology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Aviva Katzav
- Department of Pathology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Debora Kidron
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- Department of Pathology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Mario Beiner
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Dana Josephy
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Aula Asali
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Yael Hants
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Yael Yagur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Omer Weitzner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Martin Ellis
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Hematology Institute, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Gilad Itchaki
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Hematology Institute, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Osnat Ashur-Fabian
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Hematology Institute, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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4
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Molecular Regulation of Androgen Receptors in Major Female Reproductive System Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147556. [PMID: 35886904 PMCID: PMC9322163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There are three main types of cancer in the female reproductive system, specifically ovarian cancer (OVCA), endometrial cancer (EC), and cervical cancer (CC). They are common malignant tumors in women worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, androgen receptors (ARs) have been found to be closely related to the occurrence, progression, prognosis, and drug resistance of these three types of tumors. This paper summarizes current views on the role of AR in female reproductive system cancer, the associations between female reproductive system cancers and AR expression and polymorphisms. AR regulates the downstream target genes transcriptional activity and the expression via interacting with coactivators/corepressors and upstream/downstream regulators and through the gene transcription mechanism of “classical A/AR signaling” or “non-classical AR signaling”, involving a large number of regulatory factors and signaling pathways. ARs take part in the processes of cancer cell proliferation, migration/invasion, cancer cell stemness, and chemotherapeutic drug resistance. These findings suggest that the AR and related regulators could target the treatment of female reproductive system cancer.
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Romano B, Pagano E, Iannotti FA, Piscitelli F, Brancaleone V, Lucariello G, Nanì MF, Fiorino F, Sparaco R, Vanacore G, Di Tella F, Cicia D, Lionetti R, Makriyannis A, Malamas M, De Luca M, Aprea G, D'Armiento M, Capasso R, Sbarro B, Venneri T, Di Marzo V, Borrelli F, Izzo AA. NAAA is dysregulated in colorectal cancer patients and its inhibition reduces experimental cancer growth. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1679-1694. [PMID: 34791641 PMCID: PMC9303321 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15737] [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] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose N‐Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is a lysosomal enzyme accountable for the breakdown of N‐acylethanolamines (NAEs) and its pharmacological inhibition has beneficial effects in inflammatory conditions. The knowledge of NAAA in cancer is fragmentary with an unclarified mechanism, whereas its contribution to colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown to date. Experimental Approach CRC xenograft and azoxymethane models were used to assess the in vivo effect of NAAA inhibition. Further, the tumour secretome was evaluated by an oncogenic array, CRC cell lines were used for in vitro studies, cell cycle was analysed by cytofluorimetry, NAAA was knocked down with siRNA, human biopsies were obtained from surgically resected CRC patients, gene expression was measured by RT‐PCR and NAEs were measured by LC–MS. Key Results The NAAA inhibitor AM9053 reduced CRC xenograft tumour growth and counteracted tumour development in the azoxymethane model. NAAA inhibition affected the composition of the tumour secretome inhibiting the expression of EGF family members. In CRC cells, AM9053 reduced proliferation with a mechanism mediated by PPAR‐α and TRPV1. AM9053 induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase associated with cyclin A2/CDK2 down‐regulation. NAAA knock‐down mirrored the effects of NAAA inhibition with AM9053. NAAA expression was down‐regulated in human CRC tissues, with a consequential augmentation of NAE levels and dysregulation of some of their targets. Conclusion and Implications Our results show novel data on the functional importance of NAAA in CRC progression and the mechanism involved. We propose that this enzyme is a valid drug target for the treatment of CRC growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Ester Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Fabio A Iannotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | | | - Giuseppe Lucariello
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Nanì
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Ferdinando Fiorino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Sparaco
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Vanacore
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Di Tella
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Donatella Cicia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ruggero Lionetti
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Michael Malamas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Marcello De Luca
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Aprea
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Interuniversity Center for Technological Innovation Interdepartmental Center for Robotic Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria D'Armiento
- Department of Biomorphological and Functional Science, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Capasso
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Bernardo Sbarro
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Tommaso Venneri
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Quèbec, Québec City, Canada.,Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Francesca Borrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
| | - Angelo A Izzo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Endocannabinoid Research Group
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6
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Li K, Liu T. Evaluation of Oncogene NUP37 as a Potential Novel Biomarker in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:669655. [PMID: 34386417 PMCID: PMC8353244 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.669655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose There is an urgent need to identify oncogenes that may be beneficial to diagnose and develop target therapy for breast cancer. Methods Based on the GEO database, DECenter was used to screen the differentially overexpressed genes in breast cancer samples. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes and Cytoscape were performed to construct the PPI network to predict the hub gene. Functional and pathway enrichment were performed based on GO analysis. GEO2R, Oncomine, human tissue microarray staining, and western blot were applied to confirm the expression of NUP37. The association between NUP37 expression and prognosis in patients with breast cancer were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier plotter online tool and OncoLnc. siRNAs were used to knock down NUP37 and evaluate proliferation, migration, and stemness in breast cancer cells. Results We found that 138 genes were differentially upregulated in breast cancer samples, mainly comprising components of the nucleus and involved in the cell cycle process. NUP37 was identified as a hub gene that is upregulated in breast cancer patients related to a significantly worse survival rate. Furthermore, we confirmed that the downregulation of NUP37 in breast cancer cells results in the inhibition of cell growth, migration, and stemness. Conclusions High expression of NUP37 in breast cancer patients is associated with a poorer prognosis and promotion of cell growth, migration, and stemness. The multiple bioinformatics and experimental analysis help provide a comprehensive understanding of the roles of NUP37 as a potential marker for diagnosis and prognosis and as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangdi Li
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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7
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Androgen/Androgen Receptor Signaling in Ovarian Cancer: Molecular Regulation and Therapeutic Potentials. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147748. [PMID: 34299364 PMCID: PMC8304547 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OVCA) arises from three cellular origins, namely surface epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. More than 85% of OVCAs are EOCs (epithelial ovarian carcinomas), which are the most lethal gynecological malignancies. Cancer stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) are considered to be cancer promoters due to their capacity for unlimited self-renewal and drug resistance. Androgen receptor (AR) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and can be activated through binding to its ligand androgens. Studies have reported an association between AR expression and EOC carcinogenesis, and AR is suggested to be involved in proliferation, migration/invasion, and stemness. In addition, alternative AR activating signals, including both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent, are involved in OVCA progression. Although some clinical trials have previously been conducted to evaluate the effects of anti-androgens in EOC, no significant results have been reported. In contrast, experimental studies evaluating the effects of anti-androgen or anti-AR reagents in AR-expressing EOC models have demonstrated positive results for suppressing disease progression. Since AR is involved in complex signaling pathways and may be expressed at various levels in OVCA, the aim of this article was to provide an overview of current studies and perspectives regarding the relevance of androgen/AR roles in OVCA.
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8
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Fallopian Tube-Derived Tumor Cells Induce Testosterone Secretion from the Ovary, Increasing Epithelial Proliferation and Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081925. [PMID: 33923536 PMCID: PMC8073317 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The fallopian tube epithelium is the site of origin for a majority of high grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOC). The chemical communication between the fallopian tube and the ovary in the development of HGSOC from the fallopian tube is of interest since the fimbriated ends in proximity of the ovary harbor serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STICs). Epidemiological data indicates that androgens play a role in ovarian carcinogenesis; however, the oncogenic impact of androgen exposure on the fallopian tube, or tubal neoplastic precursor lesions, has yet to be explored. In this report, imaging mass spectrometry identified that testosterone is produced by the ovary when exposed to tumorigenic fallopian tube derived PTEN deficient cells. Androgen exposure increased cellular viability, proliferation, and invasion of murine cell models of healthy fallopian tube epithelium and PAX2 deficient models of the preneoplastic secretory cell outgrowths (SCOUTs). Proliferation and invasion induced by androgen was reversed by co-treatment with androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, bicalutamide. Furthermore, ablation of phosphorylated ERK reversed proliferation, but not invasion. Investigation of two hyperandrogenic rodent models of polycystic ovarian syndrome revealed that peripheral administration of androgens does not induce fallopian proliferation in vivo. These data suggest that tumorigenic lesions in the fallopian tube may induce an androgenic microenvironment proximal to the ovary, which may in turn promote proliferation of the fallopian tube epithelium and preneoplastic lesions.
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9
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Kollara A, Shathasivam P, Park S, Ringuette MJ, Brown TJ. Increased androgen receptor levels and signaling in ovarian cancer cells by VEPH1 associated with suppression of SMAD3 and AKT activation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 196:105498. [PMID: 31614206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate androgens contribute to initiation or progression of epithelial ovarian cancer through poorly understood mechanisms. We provide evidence that the androgen receptor (AR) interacts in a ligand-independent manner with the putative armadillo repeat domain of ventricular zone expressed PH domain-containing 1 (VEPH1). This interaction was increased by mutation of the two nuclear receptor-interacting LxxLL motifs present within the VEPH1 armadillo repeat domain. Androgen treatment did not result in nuclear co-localization of VEPH1 with AR, suggesting that VEPH1 does not function as a nuclear co-regulatory protein. VEPH1 expression decreased SMAD3 and activated AKT levels in ovarian cancer cell lines and increased AR activity and protein levels, consistent with an impact on receptor stability. Treatment of cells with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased AR protein levels measured 24 h after treatment, an effect augmented in VEPH1-transfected cells, and inhibited by knock-down of endogenous VEPH1. SMAD3 overexpression decreased AR protein levels and prevented the VEPH1-dependent increase in AR; however, silencing of SMAD3 paradoxically also decreased AR levels. DHT treatment led to a rapid and sustained decrease in phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) levels that was enhanced by VEPH1 expression. Inhibition of PI3K resulted in increased AR protein levels. These studies indicate that VEPH1 acts to enhance AR activity in ovarian cancer cells by decreasing SMAD3 and pAKT levels, resulting in increased levels of AR protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Premalatha Shathasivam
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Soyeon Park
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada
| | - Maurice J Ringuette
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada.
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10
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Cox OT, Edmunds SJ, Simon-Keller K, Li B, Moran B, Buckley NE, Bustamante-Garrido M, Healy N, O'Flanagan CH, Gallagher WM, Kennedy RD, Bernards R, Caldas C, Chin SF, Marx A, O'Connor R. PDLIM2 Is a Marker of Adhesion and β-Catenin Activity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2619-2633. [PMID: 30885980 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The PDLIM2 protein regulates stability of transcription factors including NF-κB and STATs in epithelial and hemopoietic cells. PDLIM2 is strongly expressed in certain cancer cell lines that exhibit an epithelial-to-mesenchymal phenotype, and its suppression is sufficient to reverse this phenotype. PDLIM2 supports the epithelial polarity of nontransformed breast cells, suggesting distinct roles in tumor suppression and oncogenesis. To better understand its overall function, we investigated PDLIM2 expression and activity in breast cancer. PDLIM2 protein was present in 60% of tumors diagnosed as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and only 20% of other breast cancer subtypes. High PDLIM2 expression in TNBC was positively correlated with adhesion signaling and β-catenin activity. Interestingly, PDLIM2 was restricted to the cytoplasm/membrane of TNBC cells and excluded from the nucleus. In breast cell lines, PDLIM2 retention in the cytoplasm was controlled by cell adhesion, and translocation to the nucleus was stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 or TGFβ. Cytoplasmic PDLIM2 was associated with active β-catenin and ectopic expression of PDLIM2 was sufficient to increase β-catenin levels and its transcriptional activity in reporter assays. Suppression of PDLIM2 inhibited tumor growth in vivo, whereas overexpression of PDLIM2 disrupted growth in 3D cultures. These results suggest that PDLIM2 may serve as a predictive biomarker for a large subset of TNBC whose phenotype depends on adhesion-regulated β-catenin activity and which may be amenable to therapies that target these pathways. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that PDLIM2 expression defines a subset of triple-negative breast cancer that may benefit from targeting the β-catenin and adhesion signaling pathways. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/10/2619/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla T Cox
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Shelley J Edmunds
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Katja Simon-Keller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Bo Li
- School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bruce Moran
- School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh E Buckley
- School of Pharmacy, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Milan Bustamante-Garrido
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Nollaig Healy
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ciara H O'Flanagan
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - William M Gallagher
- School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard D Kennedy
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - René Bernards
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Cancer Genomics Netherlands, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Suet-Feung Chin
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Rosemary O'Connor
- Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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11
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Li D, Zhou W, Pang J, Tang Q, Zhong B, Shen C, Xiao L, Hou T. A magic drug target: Androgen receptor. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:1485-1514. [PMID: 30569509 DOI: 10.1002/med.21558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is closely associated with a group of hormone-related diseases including the cancers of prostate, breast, ovary, pancreas, etc and anabolic deficiencies such as muscle atrophy and osteoporosis. Depending on the specific type and stage of the diseases, AR ligands including not only antagonists but also agonists and modulators are considered as potential therapeutics, which makes AR an extremely interesting drug target. Here, we at first review the current understandings on the structural characteristics of AR, and then address why and how AR is investigated as a drug target for the relevant diseases and summarize the representative antagonists and agonists targeting five prospective small molecule binding sites at AR, including ligand-binding pocket, activation function-2 site, binding function-3 site, DNA-binding domain, and N-terminal domain, providing recent insights from a target and drug development view. Further comprehensive studies on AR and AR ligands would bring fruitful information and push the therapy of AR relevant diseases forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenfang Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinping Pang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qin Tang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bingling Zhong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Shen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Xiao
- School of Life Science, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,State Key Lab of CAD&CG, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Bottemanne P, Muccioli GG, Alhouayek M. N-acylethanolamine hydrolyzing acid amidase inhibition: tools and potential therapeutic opportunities. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1520-1529. [PMID: 29567427 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) (e.g., N-palmitoylethanolamine, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, N-oleoylethanolamine) are bioactive lipids involved in many physiological processes including pain, inflammation, anxiety, cognition and food intake. Two enzymes are responsible for the hydrolysis of NAEs and therefore regulate their endogenous levels and effects: fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA). As discussed here, extensive biochemical characterization of NAAA was carried out over the years that contributed to a better understanding of NAAA enzymology. An increasing number of studies describe the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of NAAA inhibitors. Recent medicinal chemistry efforts have led to the development of potent and stable inhibitors that enable studying the effects of NAAA inhibition in preclinical disease models, notably in the context of pain and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bottemanne
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Giulio G Muccioli
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Mireille Alhouayek
- BPBL Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Av. E. Mounier 72, B1.72.01, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium.
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13
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Zhu H, Zhu X, Zheng L, Hu X, Sun L, Zhu X. The role of the androgen receptor in ovarian cancer carcinogenesis and its clinical implications. Oncotarget 2017; 8:29395-29405. [PMID: 27741511 PMCID: PMC5438739 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the major cause of death in women with gynecologic malignancies. There is emerging evidence that Androgen/androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a critical role in the etiology and progression of this disease. Androgen receptor is frequently expressed in various subtypes of ovarian cancers and androgen/AR signaling has been shown to promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, shorter AR CAG repeats length and increased AR activity are associated with increased ovarian cancer risk and may be a useful prognosticator under certain circumstances. Here, we summarize current findings regarding the role of the AR in ovarian cancer and discuss agents that target this pathway as potential therapeutics for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xuejie Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lihong Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - LuZhe Sun
- Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Xueqiong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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14
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Fluorescence resonance energy transfer usage to track the sequence promoter changes in CGB5 gene in ovarian cancer patients. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 90:139-146. [PMID: 28355589 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The survival rates for ovarian cancer patients remain very low, often as a result of late diagnosis due to the asymptomatic course of the early stage disease. Based on the important biological contribution of human chorionic gonadotropin to various key processes including; cell cycle control, DNA repair, cellular differentiation and developmental processes, we hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in the genes promoter could be associated with ovarian cancer risk. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine whether particular polymorphisms occur in the promoter region of the human chorionic gonadotropin polypeptide 5 encoding gene, and if so, are they associated with ovarian cancer outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed Central European females diagnosed with ovarian cancer (n=95) and controls (n=76) for the occurrence of at least one of three polymorphisms (rs7260002, rs7246045, rs540432391) and their impact on cancer risk. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique was used in order to conduct single nucleotide polymorphisms genotyping. RESULTS The occurrence of two studied polymorphisms, rs7260002 and rs540432391 present in the 5' upstream region of the chorionic gonadotropin (CG) gene were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The former polymorphism had a minor impact on cancer risk (P=0.049; OR=1.95; 95% CI=0.97-3.92), while the latter had a much larger impact and may be of great importance in the evaluation of cancer development in the analyzed population (p<0.001; OR 8.5; 95% CI 3.59-20.23). CONCLUSIONS The fluorescence resonance energy transfer application used in tracking the sequence promoter variations of genes expressed during tumorigenesis may be an important factor in early prediction of ovarian cancer. Taking under consideration the elevated CG expression associated with several different cancer types it seems reasonable to estimate if the analyzed polymorphisms could affect cancer outcome.
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