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Piper AK, Penney C, Holliday J, Tincknell G, Ma Y, Napaki S, Pantel K, Brungs D, Ranson M. EGFR and PI3K Signalling Pathways as Promising Targets on Circulating Tumour Cells from Patients with Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5565. [PMID: 38791602 PMCID: PMC11122469 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105565] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma (mGAC) remains poor. Gene alterations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and their downstream effectors including catalytic subunit alpha of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3CA) are common in mGAC. Targeted RTK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) treatments have demonstrated clinical benefits in other solid tumours and are key potential targets for clinical development against mGAC given the presence of recurrent alterations in these pathways. Furthermore, combination RTK/PI3K treatments may overcome compensatory mechanisms that arise using monotherapies, leading to improved patient outcomes. Herein, we investigated RTK/PI3K single and combination drug responses against our unique human mGAC-derived PIK3CA gain-of-function mutant, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, EGFR-expressing circulating tumour cell line, UWG02CTC, under two- and three-dimensional culture conditions to model different stages of metastasis. UWG02CTCs were highly responsive to the PI3K p110α-subunit targeted drugs PIK-75 (IC50 = 37.0 ± 11.1 nM) or alpelisib (7.05 ± 3.7 µM). Drug sensitivities were significantly increased in 3D conditions. Compensatory MAPK/ERK pathway upregulation by PI3K/Akt suppression was overcome by combination treatment with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib, which was strongly synergistic. PIK-75 plus gefitinib significantly impaired UWG02CTC invasion in an organotypic assay. In conclusion, UWG02CTCs are a powerful ex vivo mGAC drug responsiveness model revealing EGFR/PI3K-targeted drugs as a promising combination treatment option for HER2-negative, RAS wild-type mGAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Katrin Piper
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chelsea Penney
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Holliday
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Gary Tincknell
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Yafeng Ma
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cell Diagnostics & Research at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South-Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Sarbar Napaki
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute for Tumor Biology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Brungs
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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Hang Z, Rouyi C, Sen L. Genetic evidence strengthens the connection between gut microbiota and gingivitis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1380209. [PMID: 38812751 PMCID: PMC11133616 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1380209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The oral cavity and gut tract, being interconnected and rich in microbiota, may have a shared influence on gingivitis. However, the specific role of distinct gut microbiota taxa in gingivitis remains unexplored. Utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR) as an ideal method for causal inference avoiding reverse causality and potential confounding factors, we conducted a comprehensive two-sample MR study to uncover the potential genetic causal impact of gut microbiota on gingivitis. Methods Instrumental variables were chosen from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with 418 gut microbiota taxa, involving 14,306 individuals. Gingivitis, with 4,120 cases and 195,395 controls, served as the outcome. Causal effects were assessed using random-effect inverse variance-weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods. For replication and meta-analysis, gingivitis data from IEU OpenGWAS were employed. Sensitivity analyses included Cochran's Q tests, funnel plots, leave-one-out analyses, and MR-Egger intercept tests. This study aimed to assess the genetic correlation between the genetically predicted gut microbiota and gingivitis using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). Results Three gut microbiota taxa (class Actinobacteria id.419, family Defluviitaleaceae id.1924, genus Defluviitaleaceae UCG011 id.11287) are predicted to causally contribute to an increased risk of gingivitis (P< 0.05). Additionally, four gut microbiota taxa (class Actinobacteria id.419, genus Escherichia Shigella id.3504, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG002 id.11360) potentially exhibit inhibitory causal effects on the risk of gingivitis (P< 0.05). No significant evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy is detected. Our findings indicate a suggestive genetic correlation between class Actinobacteria id.419, class Bacteroidia id.912, family Defluviitaleaceae id.1924, genus Escherichia Shigella id.3504 and gingivitis. Conclusion Our study establishes the genetic causal effect of 418 gut microbiota taxa on gingivitis, offering insights for clinical interventions targeting gingivitis. Subsequent research endeavors are essential to corroborate the findings of our present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Hang
- School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chen Rouyi
- The 1 School of Medicine, School of Information and Engineering, The 1 Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Li Sen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Niu C, Zhang J, Okolo PI. Liver cancer wars: plant-derived polyphenols strike back. Med Oncol 2024; 41:116. [PMID: 38625672 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02353-1] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer currently represents the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The majority of liver cancer arises in the context of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have been the guideline-recommended treatment options for decades. Despite enormous advances in the field of liver cancer therapy, an effective cure is yet to be found. Plant-derived polyphenols constitute a large family of phytochemicals, with pleiotropic effects and little toxicity. They can drive cellular events and modify multiple signaling pathways which involves initiation, progression and metastasis of liver cancer and play an important role in contributing to anti-liver cancer drug development. The potential of plant-derived polyphenols for treating liver cancer has gained attention from research clinicians and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide in the last decades. This review overviews hepatic carcinogenesis and briefly discusses anti-liver cancer mechanisms associated with plant-derived polyphenols, specifically involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metastasis. We focus on plant-derived polyphenols with experiment-based chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties against liver cancer and generalize their basic molecular mechanisms of action. We also discuss potential opportunities and challenges in translating plant-derived polyphenols from preclinical success into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengu Niu
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14621, USA.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Rainier Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, 2805 NE 129th St, Vancouver, WA, 98686, USA
| | - Patrick I Okolo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, 14621, USA
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Agioti S, Zaravinos A. Immune Cytolytic Activity and Strategies for Therapeutic Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3624. [PMID: 38612436 PMCID: PMC11011457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073624] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral immune cytolytic activity (CYT), calculated as the geometric mean of granzyme-A (GZMA) and perforin-1 (PRF1) expression, has emerged as a critical factor in cancer immunotherapy, with significant implications for patient prognosis and treatment outcomes. Immune checkpoint pathways, the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), antigen presentation, and metabolic pathways regulate CYT. Here, we describe the various methods with which we can assess CYT. The detection and analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry provide important information about immune cell populations within the TME. Gene expression profiling and spatial analysis techniques, such as multiplex immunofluorescence and imaging mass cytometry allow the study of CYT in the context of the TME. We discuss the significant clinical implications that CYT has, as its increased levels are associated with positive clinical outcomes and a favorable prognosis. Moreover, CYT can be used as a prognostic biomarker and aid in patient stratification. Altering CYT through the different methods targeting it, offers promising paths for improving treatment responses. Overall, understanding and modulating CYT is critical for improving cancer immunotherapy. Research into CYT and the factors that influence it has the potential to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Agioti
- Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus;
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Becht R, Kiełbowski K, Wasilewicz MP. New Opportunities in the Systemic Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Today and Tomorrow. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1456. [PMID: 38338736 PMCID: PMC10855889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031456] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Liver cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represent major risk factors of HCC. Multiple different treatment options are available, depending on the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm. Systemic treatment is reserved for certain patients in stages B and C, who will not benefit from regional treatment methods. In the last fifteen years, the arsenal of available therapeutics has largely expanded, which improved treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, not all patients respond to these agents and novel combinations and drugs are needed. In this review, we aim to summarize the pathway of trials investigating the safety and efficacy of targeted therapeutics and immunotherapies since the introduction of sorafenib. Furthermore, we discuss the current evidence regarding resistance mechanisms and potential novel targets in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Becht
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Kajetan Kiełbowski
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Chemotherapy and Cancer Immunotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (R.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Michał P. Wasilewicz
- Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
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Iwabuchi S, Takahashi K, Kawaguchi K, Nagatsu A, Imafuku T, Shichino S, Matsushima K, Taketomi A, Honda M, Hashimoto S. Phospholipase A2 Group IIA Is Associated with Inflammatory Hepatocellular Adenoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:159. [PMID: 38201587 PMCID: PMC10778238 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010159] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Although benign hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) are very rare, recent observations have shown their occurrence in patients with diabetes mellitus. Consequently, most of these cases are treated by resection due to concerns regarding their potential progression to hepatocarcinoma (HCC). This decision is largely driven by the limited number of studies on HCC subtyping and the lack of molecular and biological insights into the carcinogenic potential of benign tumors. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the subtype classification of HCA and to compare and analyze gene expression profiling between HCA and HCC tissues. One fresh inflammatory HCA (I-HCA), three non-B non-C HCCs, two hepatitis B virus-HCCs, and one normal liver tissue sample were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Comparative analysis of scRNA-seq among different tissues showed that phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) mRNA was specifically expressed in I-HCA, following RNA-seq analysis in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from other HCAs. Immunohistochemistry using the PLA2G2A antibody in these tissues indicated that the positive reaction was mainly observed in hepatocytes of I-HCAs and stromal cells surrounding the tumor tissue in HCC were also stained. According to a clinical database, PLA2G2A expression in HCC does not correlate with poor prognosis. This finding may potentially help develop a new definition for I-HCA, resulting in a significant clinical contribution, but it requires validation with other fresh HCA samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadahiro Iwabuchi
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-0011, Japan; (S.I.)
| | - Kenta Takahashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kawaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Ishikawa, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Akihisa Nagatsu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Sapporo 060-8648, Japan
| | - Tadashi Imafuku
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-0011, Japan; (S.I.)
| | - Shigeyuki Shichino
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Disease, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Kouji Matsushima
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Disease, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Akinobu Taketomi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Sapporo 060-8648, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Ishikawa, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Shinichi Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-0011, Japan; (S.I.)
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