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Xu C, Xu P, Zhang J, He S, Hua T, Huang A. Exosomal noncoding RNAs in gynecological cancers: implications for therapy resistance and biomarkers. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1349474. [PMID: 38737906 PMCID: PMC11082286 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1349474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer (OC), cervical cancer (CC), and endometrial cancer (EC), pose a serious threat to women's health and quality of life due to their high incidence and lethality. Therapeutic resistance in tumors refers to reduced sensitivity of tumor cells to therapeutic drugs or radiation, which compromises the efficacy of treatment or renders it ineffective. Therapeutic resistance significantly contributes to treatment failure in gynecologic tumors, although the specific molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles released and received by distinct kinds of cells. Exosomes contain proteins, lipids, and RNAs closely linked to their origins and functions. Recent studies have demonstrated that exosomal ncRNAs may be involved in intercellular communication and can modulate the progression of tumorigenesis, aggravation and metastasis, tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug resistance. Besides, exosomal ncRNAs also have the potential to become significant diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various of diseases. In this paper, we reviewed the biological roles and mechanisms of exosomal ncRNAs in the drug resistance of gynecologic tumors, as well as explored the potential of exosomal ncRNAs acting as the liquid biopsy molecular markers in gynecologic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Aiwu Huang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Hangzhou Lin'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Silva LGDO, Lemos FFB, Luz MS, Rocha Pinheiro SL, Calmon MDS, Correa Santos GL, Rocha GR, de Melo FF. New avenues for the treatment of immunotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1134-1153. [PMID: 38660642 PMCID: PMC11037047 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by its extremely aggressive nature and ranks 14th in the number of new cancer cases worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it ranks 7th in the list of the most lethal cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of PC involves several complex processes, including familial genetic factors associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, and smoking. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 are linked to the appearance of malignant cells that generate pancreatic lesions and, consequently, cancer. In this context, some therapies are used for PC, one of which is immunotherapy, which is extremely promising in various other types of cancer but has shown little response in the treatment of PC due to various resistance mechanisms that contribute to a drop in immunotherapy efficiency. It is therefore clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has a huge impact on the resistance process, since cellular and non-cellular elements create an immunosuppressive environment, characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma with cancer-associated fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immunosuppressive cells. Linked to this are genetic mutations in TP53 and immunosuppressive factors that act on T cells, resulting in a shortage of CD8+ T cells and limited expression of activation markers such as interferon-gamma. In this way, finding new strategies that make it possible to manipulate resistance mechanisms is necessary. Thus, techniques such as the use of TME modulators that block receptors and stromal molecules that generate resistance, the use of genetic manipulation in specific regions, such as microRNAs, the modulation of extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with T cells, and, above all, therapeutic models that combine these modulation techniques constitute the promising future of PC therapy. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in PC and new ways of manipulating this process, resulting in a more efficient therapy for cancer patients and, consequently, a reduction in the lethality of this aggressive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabian Fellipe Bueno Lemos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcel Silva Luz
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Luca Rocha Pinheiro
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mariana dos Santos Calmon
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lima Correa Santos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Reis Rocha
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
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Fei X, Zhu C, Liu P, Liu S, Ren L, Lu R, Hou J, Gao Y, Wang X, Pan Y. PELI1: key players in the oncogenic characteristics of pancreatic Cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:91. [PMID: 38528516 PMCID: PMC10962118 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor, which is characterized by difficulties in early diagnosis, early metastasis, limited therapeutic response and a grim prognosis. Therefore, it is imperative to explore potential therapeutic targets for PC. Currently, although the involvement of the Pellino E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 1 (PELI1) in the human growth of some malignant tumors has been demonstrated, its association with PC remains uncertain. METHODS Bioinformatics, qRT-PCR, Western blot and IHC were used to detect the expression of PELI1 in pancreas or PC tissues and cells at mRNA and protein levels. The effects of PELI1 on the proliferation and metastatic ability of pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo were investigated using CCK8, cloning formation, EdU, flow cytometry, IHC, Transwell assay, wound healing, nude mice subcutaneous tumorigenesis and intrasplenic injection to construct a liver metastasis model. The interactions of PELI1 with proteins as well as the main functions and pathways were investigated by protein profiling, Co-IP, GST-pull down, Immunofluorescence techniques, immunohistochemical co-localization and enrichment analysis. The rescue experiment verified the above experimental results. RESULTS The mRNA and protein expression levels of PELI1 in PC tissues were upregulated and were associated with poor prognosis of patients, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PELI1 can affect the proliferation and metastatic ability of PC cells. Co-IP, GST-pull down, and other experiments found that PELI1 interacted with Ribosomal Protein S3 (RPS3) through the FHA structural domain and promoted the polyubiquitination of RPS3 in the K48 chain, thereby activates the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. Moreover, ubiquitinated degradation of RPS3 further reduces Tumor Protein P53 (p53) protein stability and increases p53 degradation by MDM2 Proto-Oncogene (MDM2). CONCLUSION PELI1 is overexpressed in PC, which increased ubiquitination of RPS3 proteins and activates the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway, as well as reduces the protective effect of RPS3 on p53 and promotes the degradation of the p53 protein, which facilitates the progression of PC and leads to a poor prognosis for patients. Therefore, PELI1 is a potential target for the treatment of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Fei
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Changhao Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Songbai Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Baiyun Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Likun Ren
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rishang Lu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Junyi Hou
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yongjia Gao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xing Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.
| | - Yaozhen Pan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China.
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Calheiros J, Raimundo L, Morais J, Matos AC, Minuzzo SA, Indraccolo S, Sousa E, da Silva MC, Saraiva L. Antitumor Activity of the Xanthonoside XGAc in Triple-Negative Breast, Ovarian and Pancreatic Cancer by Inhibiting DNA Repair. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5718. [PMID: 38136266 PMCID: PMC10741784 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the DNA damage response may contribute to the sensitization of cancer cells to DNA-targeting agents by impelling cell death. In fact, the inhibition of the DNA repair pathway is considered a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy, particularly in combination with standard-of-care agents. The xanthonoside XGAc was previously described as a potent inhibitor of cancer cell growth. Herein, we explored its antitumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), ovarian cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells as a single agent and in combination with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) olaparib. We demonstrated that XGAc inhibited the growth of TNBC, ovarian and PDAC cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. XGAc also induced genotoxicity, inhibiting the expression of DNA repair proteins particularly involved in homologous recombination, including BRCA1, BRCA2 and RAD51. Moreover, it displayed potent synergistic effects with olaparib in TNBC, ovarian cancer and PDAC cells. Importantly, this growth inhibitory activity of XGAc was further reinforced in a TNBC spheroid model and in patient-derived ovarian cancer cells. Also, drug-resistant cancer cells showed no cross-resistance to XGAc. Additionally, the ability of XGAc to prevent cancer cell migration was evidenced in TNBC, ovarian cancer and PDAC cells. Altogether, these results highlight the great potential of acetylated xanthonosides such as XGAc as promising anticancer agents against hard-to-treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calheiros
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.); (L.R.); (J.M.); (A.C.M.)
| | - Liliana Raimundo
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.); (L.R.); (J.M.); (A.C.M.)
| | - João Morais
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.); (L.R.); (J.M.); (A.C.M.)
| | - Ana Catarina Matos
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.); (L.R.); (J.M.); (A.C.M.)
| | - Sonia Anna Minuzzo
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.A.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Stefano Indraccolo
- Department of Surgery Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.A.M.); (S.I.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.S.); (M.C.d.S.)
- CIIMAR—Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixôes, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Marta Correia da Silva
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (E.S.); (M.C.d.S.)
- CIIMAR—Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixôes, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.); (L.R.); (J.M.); (A.C.M.)
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