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Gambelli A, Nespolo A, Rampioni Vinciguerra GL, Pivetta E, Pellarin I, Nicoloso MS, Scapin C, Stefenatti L, Segatto I, Favero A, D'Andrea S, Mucignat MT, Bartoletti M, Lucia E, Schiappacassi M, Spessotto P, Canzonieri V, Giorda G, Puglisi F, Vecchione A, Belletti B, Sonego M, Baldassarre G. Platinum-induced upregulation of ITGA6 promotes chemoresistance and spreading in ovarian cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:1162-1192. [PMID: 38658801 PMCID: PMC11099142 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00069-3] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Platinum (PT)-resistant Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) grows as a metastatic disease, disseminating in the abdomen and pelvis. Very few options are available for PT-resistant EOC patients, and little is known about how the acquisition of PT-resistance mediates the increased spreading capabilities of EOC. Here, using isogenic PT-resistant cells, genetic and pharmacological approaches, and patient-derived models, we report that Integrin α6 (ITGA6) is overexpressed by PT-resistant cells and is necessary to sustain EOC metastatic ability and adhesion-dependent PT-resistance. Using in vitro approaches, we showed that PT induces a positive loop that, by stimulating ITGA6 transcription and secretion, contributes to the formation of a pre-metastatic niche enabling EOC cells to disseminate. At molecular level, ITGA6 engagement regulates the production and availability of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), over-stimulating the IGF1R pathway and upregulating Snail expression. In vitro data were recapitulated using in vivo models in which the targeting of ITGA6 prevents PT-resistant EOC dissemination and improves PT-activity, supporting ITGA6 as a promising druggable target for EOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gambelli
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Anna Nespolo
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Rampioni Vinciguerra
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Eliana Pivetta
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Ilenia Pellarin
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Milena S Nicoloso
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Chiara Scapin
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Linda Stefenatti
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Ilenia Segatto
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Andrea Favero
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Sara D'Andrea
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Mucignat
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Michele Bartoletti
- Deparment of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Emilio Lucia
- Gynecological Surgery Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Monica Schiappacassi
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Paola Spessotto
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, TS, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giorda
- Gynecological Surgery Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Fabio Puglisi
- Deparment of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, UD, Italy
| | - Andrea Vecchione
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Maura Sonego
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.
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Song B, Peng Y, Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Liu W, Wang K, Cui Z, Song B. Role of single-cell ferroptosis regulation in intercellular communication and skin cutaneous melanoma progression and immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3523-3541. [PMID: 37638981 PMCID: PMC10991472 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03504-5] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The involvement of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers has been well established. However, limited studies have investigated the role of ferroptosis-mediated tumor microenvironment (TME) in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). METHODS By leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing data, the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) approach was employed to comprehensively characterize and identify distinct gene signatures within ferroptosis-associated TME cell clusters. Prognostic and treatment response analyses were conducted using both bulk datasets and external cancer cohort to evaluate the clinical implications of TME clusters. RESULTS This NMF-based analysis successfully delineated fibroblasts, macrophages, T cells, and B cells into multiple clusters, enabling the identification of unique gene expression patterns and the annotation of distinct TME clusters. Furthermore, pseudotime trajectories, enrichment analysis, cellular communication analysis, and gene regulatory network analysis collectively demonstrated significant intercellular communication between key TME cell clusters, thereby influencing tumor cell development through diverse mechanisms. Importantly, our bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed the prognostic significance of ferroptosis-mediated TME cell clusters in SKCM patients. Moreover, our analysis of immune checkpoint blockade highlighted the crucial role of TME cell clusters in tumor immunotherapy, facilitating the discovery of potential immunotherapeutic targets. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this pioneering study employing NMF-based analysis unravels the intricate cellular communication mediated by ferroptosis within the TME and its profound implications for the pathogenesis and progression of SKCM. We provide compelling evidence for the prognostic value of ferroptosis-regulated TME cell clusters in SKCM, as well as their potential as targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyu Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yixuan Peng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
- School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu Zheng
- Hospital for Skin Disease (Institute of Dermatology), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhan Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Cui
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Baoqiang Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Chanle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Zhong W, Wang X, Wang Y, Sun G, Zhang J, Li Z. Obesity and endocrine-related cancer: The important role of IGF-1. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1093257. [PMID: 36755926 PMCID: PMC9899991 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1093257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is increasingly becoming a global epidemic of concern and is considered a risk factor for several endocrine-related cancers. Moreover, obesity is associated with cancer development and poor prognosis. As a metabolic abnormality, obesity leads to a series of changes in insulin, IGF-1, sex hormones, IGFBPs, and adipokines. Among these factors, IGF-1 plays an important role in obesity-related endocrine cancers. This review describes the role of obesity in endocrine-related cancers, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, focusing on the mechanism of IGF-1 and the crosstalk with estrogen and adipokines. In addition, this review briefly introduces the current status of IGF-1R inhibitors in clinical practice and shows the prospect of IGF-1R inhibitors in combination with other anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Lin J, Asai S, Selicharová I, Mitrová K, Kaminský J, Young E, Jiráček J. Recombinant Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Dimers: Receptor Binding Affinities and Activation Abilities. Int J Pept Res Ther 2023; 29:33. [PMID: 36891560 PMCID: PMC9985566 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-023-10499-1] [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] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and its IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) belong to an important biological system that is involved in the regulation of normal growth, but that has also been recognized as playing a role in cancer. IGF-1R antagonists could be interesting for the testing of their potential antiproliferative properties as an alternative to IGF-1R tyrosine-kinase inhibitors or anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we were inspired by the successful development of insulin dimers capable of antagonizing insulin effects on the insulin receptor (IR) by simultaneous binding to two separated binding sites and by blocking structural rearrangement of the IR. We designed and produced in Escherichia coli three different IGF-1 dimers in which IGF-1 monomers are interlinked through their N- and C-termini, with linkers having 8, 15 or 25 amino acids. We found that the recombinant products were susceptible to the formation of misfolded or reduced variants, but that some of them were able to bind IGF-1R in low nanomolar affinities and all of them activate IGF-1R proportionally to their binding affinities. Overall, our work can be considered as a pilot study that, although it did not lead to the discovery of new IGF-1R antagonists, explored the possibility of recombinant production of IGF-1 dimers and led to the preparation of active compounds. This work could inspire further studies dealing, for example, with the preparation of IGF-1 conjugates with specific proteins for the study of the hormone and its receptor or for therapeutic applications. Graphical Abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10989-023-10499-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Lin
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12840 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Seiya Asai
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12840 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Selicharová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Mitrová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Kaminský
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Elinor Young
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Present Address: Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Jiří Jiráček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 116 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Zaman R, Islam RA, Chowdhury EH. Evolving therapeutic proteins to precisely kill cancer cells. J Control Release 2022; 351:779-804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Wei XY, Zhang TQ, Suo R, Qu YY, Chen Y, Zhu YL. Long non-coding RNA RPL34-AS1 ameliorates oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neuronal injury via modulating miR-223-3p/IGF1R axis. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1785-1796. [PMID: 36006565 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00773-7] [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: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomal protein L34-antisense RNA 1 (RPL34-AS1), one of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), plays an important function in regulating diverse human malignant tumors. Nevertheless, the functions of RPL34-AS1 in ischemic stroke remain unclear. The present work focused on determining the candidate targets of RPL34-AS1 and its related mechanism in ischemic injury. The oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD/R) in vitro cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in vivo rat model were utilized to simulate the pathological process of ischemic stroke. Additionally, the CCK8, WB (detecting Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels), and caspase-3 activity assays were done to investigate the anti-apoptotic functions of RPL34-AS1. The relationship among RPL34-AS1, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), and microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) was determined through luciferase reporter assay. In this study, RPL34-AS1 expression was reduced in patients suffering from ischemic stroke. The overexpression of RPL34-AS1 reduced ischemic brain damage. However, the cell viability and glucose uptake were increased, and the apoptosis rate was decreased in the OGD/R-induced neurons. Further, miR-223-3p resulted in the decreased cell viability and glucose uptake and the increased cell apoptosis to cause ischemic brain damage. Besides, the neuroprotective effects of RPL34-AS1 on OGD/R injury were partly reversed by miR-223-3p. Mechanistically, lncRNA RPL34-AS1 could function as the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-223-3p to regulate IGF1R. Collectively, our study demonstrated that lncRNA RPL34-AS1 attenuated OGD/R-induced neuronal injury by mediating miR-223-3p/IGF1R axis. This discovery might serve as the candidate therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Ya Wei
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246, Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Qi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Suo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246, Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - You-Yang Qu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246, Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246, Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Lan Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246, Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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Singh S, Utreja D, Kumar V. Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine: a promising fused heterocycle to target kinases in cancer therapy. Med Chem Res 2021; 31:1-25. [PMID: 34803342 PMCID: PMC8590428 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide responsible for about 10 million deaths per year. To date several approaches have been developed to treat this deadly disease including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and synthetic lethality. The targeted therapy refers to targeting only specific proteins or enzymes that are dysregulated in cancer rather than killing all rapidly dividing cells, has gained much attention in the recent past. Kinase inhibition is one of the most successful approaches in targeted therapy. As of 30 March 2021, FDA has approved 65 small molecule protein kinase inhibitors and most of them are for cancer therapy. Interestingly, several kinase inhibitors contain one or more fused heterocycles as part of their structures. Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine is one the most interesting fused heterocycle that is an integral part of several kinase inhibitors and nucleoside drugs viz. avapritinib and remdesivir. This review articles focus on the recent advances made in the development of kinase inhibitors containing pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine scaffold. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarbjit Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
| | - Divya Utreja
- Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004 Punjab India
| | - Vimal Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar, 144011 Punjab India
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Mansour MA, Caputo VS, Aleem E. Highlights on selected growth factors and their receptors as promising anticancer drug targets. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 140:106087. [PMID: 34563698 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Growth factor receptors (GFRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are groups of proteins mediating a plethora of physiological processes, including cell growth, proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration. Under certain circumstances, expression of GFRs and subsequently their downstream kinase signaling are deregulated by genetic, epigenetic, and somatic changes leading to uncontrolled cell division in many human diseases, most notably cancer. Cancer cells rely on growth factors to sustain the increasing need to cell division and metabolic reprogramming through cancer-associated activating mutations of their receptors (i.e., GFRs). In this review, we highlight the recent advances of selected GFRs and their ligands (growth factors) in cancer with emphasis on structural and functional differences. We also interrogate how overexpression and/or hyperactivation of GFRs contribute to cancer initiation, development, progression, and resistance to conventional chemo- and radiotherapies. Novel approaches are being developed as anticancer agents to target growth factor receptors and their signaling pathways in different cancers. Here, we illustrate how the current knowledge of GFRs biology, and their ligands lead to development of targeted therapies to inhibit and/or block the activity of growth factors, GFRs and downstream kinases to treat diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Mansour
- Cancer Biology and Therapy Lab, Division of Human Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK; Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Valentina S Caputo
- Cancer Biology and Therapy Lab, Division of Human Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - Eiman Aleem
- Cancer Biology and Therapy Lab, Division of Human Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.
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Stefani C, Miricescu D, Stanescu-Spinu II, Nica RI, Greabu M, Totan AR, Jinga M. Growth Factors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis: Where Are We Now? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910260. [PMID: 34638601 PMCID: PMC8508474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant malignancy worldwide, being the fourth most common cause of mortality and morbidity. The CRC incidence in adolescents, young adults, and adult populations is increasing every year. In the pathogenesis of CRC, various factors are involved including diet, sedentary life, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, gut microbiota, diabetes, and genetic mutations. The CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) involves the complex cooperation between tumoral cells with stroma, immune, and endothelial cells. Cytokines and several growth factors (GFs) will sustain CRC cell proliferation, survival, motility, and invasion. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Insulin-like growth factor -1 receptor (IGF-1R), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor -A (VEGF-A) are overexpressed in various human cancers including CRC. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and all the three major subfamilies of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways may be activated by GFs and will further play key roles in CRC development. The main aim of this review is to present the CRC incidence, risk factors, pathogenesis, and the impact of GFs during its development. Moreover, the article describes the relationship between EGF, IGF, VEGF, GFs inhibitors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-MAPK signaling pathways, and CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Stefani
- Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Base, ‘‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Miricescu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Iulia-Ioana Stanescu-Spinu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
| | - Remus Iulian Nica
- Surgery 2, ‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Maria Greabu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Alexandra Ripszky Totan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
| | - Mariana Jinga
- Department of Gastroenterology, ‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
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