1
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Dou C, Zhu H, Xie X, Huang C, Tan H, Cao C. Exosomal circ_0032704 confers sorafenib resistance to hepatocellular carcinoma and contributes to cancer malignant progression by modulating the miR-514a-3p/PD-L1 pathway. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2024; 8:507-520. [PMID: 38707229 PMCID: PMC11066485 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to explore the role of circ_0032704 in sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The expression of circ_0032704, miR-514a-3p, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The expression of multidrug resistant-related proteins, migration/invasion-related proteins, exosome-related proteins, and PD-L1 protein was detected by western blot. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by EdU assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. The binding between miR-514a-3p and circ_0032704 or PD-L1 was verified by RIP assay, pull-down assay, and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cell- or serum-derived exosomes were isolated and identified by TEM and NTA. Xenograft models were established to determine the effect of circ_0032704 on drug resistance in vivo. Results Circ_0032704 was overexpressed in sorafenib-resistant HCC tissues and cells. Circ_0032704 knockdown reduced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of sorafenib-resistant HCC cells, while these effects were reversed by PD-L1 overexpression. We found that circ_0032704 positively regulated PD-L1 expression via targeting miR-514a-3p. Exosomes with circ_0032704 inhibition reduced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Exosomes with circ_0032704 inhibition also inhibited tumor growth in vivo. The expression of circ_0032704 in exosomes was stable and possessed diagnostic value. Conclusion Circ_0032704 enhanced sorafenib resistance in HCC and promoted the malignant development of sorafenib-resistant HCC. Circ_0032704 could be transported by exosomes, and exosomal circ_0032704 had diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyun Dou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Xia Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Cuiqin Huang
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Hui Tan
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Chuangjie Cao
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical SchoolUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
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2
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Giannitrapani L, Di Gaudio F, Cervello M, Scionti F, Ciliberto D, Staropoli N, Agapito G, Cannataro M, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P, Seidita A, Soresi M, Affronti M, Bertino G, Russello M, Ciriminna R, Lino C, Spinnato F, Verderame F, Augello G, Arbitrio M. Genetic Biomarkers of Sorafenib Response in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2197. [PMID: 38396873 PMCID: PMC10888718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042197] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers for predicting inter-individual sorafenib response variability could allow hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient stratification. SNPs in angiogenesis- and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)-related genes were evaluated to identify new potential predictive biomarkers of sorafenib response in HCC patients. Five known SNPs in angiogenesis-related genes, including VEGF-A, VEGF-C, HIF-1a, ANGPT2, and NOS3, were investigated in 34 HCC patients (9 sorafenib responders and 25 non-responders). A subgroup of 23 patients was genotyped for SNPs in ADME genes. A machine learning classifier method was used to discover classification rules for our dataset. We found that only the VEGF-A (rs2010963) C allele and CC genotype were significantly associated with sorafenib response. ADME-related gene analysis identified 10 polymorphic variants in ADH1A (rs6811453), ADH6 (rs10008281), SULT1A2/CCDC101 (rs11401), CYP26A1 (rs7905939), DPYD (rs2297595 and rs1801265), FMO2 (rs2020863), and SLC22A14 (rs149738, rs171248, and rs183574) significantly associated with sorafenib response. We have identified a genetic signature of predictive response that could permit non-responder/responder patient stratification. Angiogenesis- and ADME-related genes correlation was confirmed by cumulative genetic risk score and network and pathway enrichment analysis. Our findings provide a proof of concept that needs further validation in follow-up studies for HCC patient stratification for sorafenib prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Giannitrapani
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.C.)
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Francesca Di Gaudio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (N.S.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
| | - Domenico Ciliberto
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, A.O.U. R. Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Staropoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (N.S.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, A.O.U. R. Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Agapito
- Department of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Mario Cannataro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (N.S.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, A.O.U. R. Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (N.S.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, A.O.U. R. Dulbecco, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Aurelio Seidita
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
- Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, C.O.U. Medical Oncology, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (F.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Marco Affronti
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (F.D.G.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Gaetano Bertino
- Hepatology Unit, A.O.U. Policlinico-San Marco, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | | | - Rosaria Ciriminna
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials, National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy; (R.C.); (C.L.)
| | - Claudia Lino
- Institute of Nanostructured Materials, National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy; (R.C.); (C.L.)
| | - Francesca Spinnato
- Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, C.O.U. Medical Oncology, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (F.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Francesco Verderame
- Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, C.O.U. Medical Oncology, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (F.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Mariamena Arbitrio
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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3
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Tong X, Shen Q. Identification of immune-related regulatory networks and diagnostic biomarkers in thyroid eye disease. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:38. [PMID: 38332455 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03017-9] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an orbit-associated autoimmune inflammatory disorder intricately linked to immune dysregulation. Complete pathogenesis of TED remains elusive. This work aimed to mine pathogenesis of TED from immunological perspective and identify diagnostic genes. METHODS Gene expression microarray data for TED patients were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, immune-related genes (IRGs) were from ImmPort database, and TED-related transcription factors (TFs) were from Cirtrome Cancer database. Differential analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. Regulatory networks of TFs and IRGs were constructed with Cytoscape. Diagnostic biomarkers in TED were identified through LASSO. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed using CIBERSORT. RESULTS Twenty-three immune-related DEmRNAs were revealed and were primarily enriched in humoral immune response, positive regulation of inflammatory response, IL-17, and TNF pathways. Co-expression regulatory network included four TFs and 16 immune-related DEmRNAs. Seven diagnostic genes were identified, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.993 for training set and AUC value of 0.836 for validation set. TED patients exhibited elevated infiltration levels by macrophages M2, mast cells, and CD8 T cells among 22 immune cell types, whereas macrophages M2 and mast cells resting were significantly lower than normal group. CONCLUSIONS The seven feature genes had high diagnostic value for TED patients. Our work explored regulatory network and diagnostic biomarkers, laying theoretical basis for TED diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangmei Tong
- The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310002, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Tonglu County, Tonglu, 311500, China
| | - Qianyun Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310002, China.
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4
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Sadagopan N, He AR. Recent Progress in Systemic Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1259. [PMID: 38279258 PMCID: PMC10816205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021259] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have several systemic treatment options. There are many known risk factors for HCC, and although some, such as hepatitis C, are now treatable, others are not. For example, metabolic dysfunction-related chronic liver disease is increasing in incidence and has no specific treatment. Underlying liver disease, drug resistance, and an increasing number of treatment options without specific biomarkers are all challenges in selecting the best treatment for each patient. Conventional chemotherapy is almost never used for advanced-stage disease, which instead is treated with immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and VEGF inhibitors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting various receptors have been or are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Ongoing trials with three-drug regimens may be the future of advanced-stage HCC treatment. Other immune-modulatory approaches of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells, bispecific antibodies, cytokine-induced killer cells, natural killer cells, and vaccines are in early-stage clinical trials. Targeted therapies remain limited for HCC but represent an area of potential growth. As we shift away from first-line sorafenib for advanced HCC, clinical trial control arms should comprise a standard treatment other than sorafenib, one that is a better comparator for advancing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayanan Sadagopan
- MedStar Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA;
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5
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Angelakis A, Soulioti I, Filippakis M. Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia on microarray gene expression data using categorical gradient boosted trees. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20530. [PMID: 37860531 PMCID: PMC10582309 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We define an iterative method for dimensionality reduction using categorical gradient boosted trees and Shapley values and created four machine learning models which potentially could be used as diagnostic tests for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). For the final Catboost model we use a dataset of 2177 individuals using as features 16 probe sets and the age in order to classify if someone has AML or is healthy. The dataset is multicentric and consists of data from 27 organizations, 25 cities, 15 countries and 4 continents. The performance of our last model is specificity: 0.9909, sensitivity: 0.9985, F1-score: 0.9976 and its ROC-AUC: 0.9962 using ten fold cross validation. On an inference dataset the perormance is: specificity: 0.9909, sensitivity: 0.9969, F1-score: 0.9969 and its ROC-AUC: 0.9939. To the best of our knowledge the performance of our model is the best one in the literature, as regards the diagnosis of AML using similar or not data. Moreover, there has not been any bibliographic reference which associates AML or any other type of cancer with the 16 probe sets we used as features in our final model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Angelakis
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam Data Science Center, Netherlands
| | - Ioanna Soulioti
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
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6
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Samavarchi Tehrani S, Esmaeili F, Shirzad M, Goodarzi G, Yousefi T, Maniati M, Taheri-Anganeh M, Anushiravani A. The critical role of circular RNAs in drug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers. Med Oncol 2023; 40:116. [PMID: 36917431 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-01980-4] [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: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, drug resistance (DR) in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as the main reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide, has become a serious problem in the management of patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed for resistance to anticancer drugs, including altered transport and metabolism of drugs, mutation of drug targets, altered DNA repair system, inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, cancer stem cells, tumor heterogeneity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Compelling evidence has revealed that genetic and epigenetic factors are strongly linked to DR. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) interferences are the most crucial epigenetic alterations explored so far, and among these ncRNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the most emerging members known to have unique properties. Due to the absence of 5' and 3' ends in these novel RNAs, the two ends are covalently bonded together and are generated from pre-mRNA in a process known as back-splicing, which makes them more stable than other RNAs. As far as the unique structure and function of circRNAs is concerned, they are implicated in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and DR. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for circRNAs-mediated DR in the GI cancers will open a new window to the management of GI cancers. Hence, in the present review, we will describe briefly the biogenesis, multiple features, and different biological functions of circRNAs. Then, we will summarize current mechanisms of DR, and finally, discuss molecular mechanisms through which circRNAs regulate DR development in esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fataneh Esmaeili
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Shirzad
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Golnaz Goodarzi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tooba Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Maniati
- Department of English, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Amir Anushiravani
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Boehnke N, Straehla JP, Safford HC, Kocak M, Rees MG, Ronan M, Rosenberg D, Adelmann CH, Chivukula RR, Nabar N, Berger AG, Lamson NG, Cheah JH, Li H, Roth JA, Koehler AN, Hammond PT. Massively parallel pooled screening reveals genomic determinants of nanoparticle delivery. Science 2022; 377:eabm5551. [PMID: 35862544 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm5551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To accelerate the translation of cancer nanomedicine, we used an integrated genomic approach to improve our understanding of the cellular processes that govern nanoparticle trafficking. We developed a massively parallel screen that leverages barcoded, pooled cancer cell lines annotated with multiomic data to investigate cell association patterns across a nanoparticle library spanning a range of formulations with clinical potential. We identified both materials properties and cell-intrinsic features that mediate nanoparticle-cell association. Using machine learning algorithms, we constructed genomic nanoparticle trafficking networks and identified nanoparticle-specific biomarkers. We validated one such biomarker: gene expression of SLC46A3, which inversely predicts lipid-based nanoparticle uptake in vitro and in vivo. Our work establishes the power of integrated screens for nanoparticle delivery and enables the identification and utilization of biomarkers to rationally design nanoformulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Boehnke
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joelle P Straehla
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hannah C Safford
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mustafa Kocak
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Matthew G Rees
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Melissa Ronan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Danny Rosenberg
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Charles H Adelmann
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Raghu R Chivukula
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Namita Nabar
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Adam G Berger
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nicholas G Lamson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jaime H Cheah
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hojun Li
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer A Roth
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Angela N Koehler
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Paula T Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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8
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Marin JJG, Romero MR, Herraez E, Asensio M, Ortiz-Rivero S, Sanchez-Martin A, Fabris L, Briz O. Mechanisms of Pharmacoresistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Drugs but Old Problems. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:87-103. [PMID: 34544160 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis when diagnosed at advanced stages in which curative treatments are no longer applicable. A small group of these patients may still benefit from transarterial chemoembolization. The only therapeutic option for most patients with advanced HCC is systemic pharmacological treatments based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapy. Available drugs only slightly increase survival, as tumor cells possess additive and synergistic mechanisms of pharmacoresistance (MPRs) prior to or enhanced during treatment. Understanding the molecular basis of MPRs is crucial to elucidate the genetic signature underlying HCC resistome. This will permit the selection of biomarkers to predict drug treatment response and identify tumor weaknesses in a personalized and dynamic way. In this article, we have reviewed the role of MPRs in current first-line drugs and the combinations of immunotherapeutic agents with novel TKIs being tested in the treatment of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Herraez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Ortiz-Rivero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Liver Center (YLC), School of Medicine, Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Zhu J, Mou Y, Ye S, Hu H, Wang R, Yang Q, Hu Y. Identification of a Six-Gene SLC Family Signature With Prognostic Value in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:803198. [PMID: 34977043 PMCID: PMC8714960 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.803198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of solute carrier (SLC) proteins in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis and that their dysregulation contributes to cancer progression, here we constructed a robust SLC family signature for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient stratification. Transcriptomic profiles and relevant clinical information of LUAD patients were downloaded from the TCGA and GEO databases. SLC family genes differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal tissues were identified using limma in R. Of these, prognosis-related SLC family genes were further screened out and used to construct a novel SLC family-based signature in the training cohort. The accuracy of the prognostic signature was assessed in the testing cohort, the entire cohort, and the external GSE72094 cohort. Correlations between the prognostic signature and the tumor immune microenvironment and immune cell infiltrates were further explored. We found that seventy percent of SLC family genes (279/397) were differentially expressed between LUAC tissues and adjacent normal. Twenty-six genes with p-values < 0.05 in univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were regarded as prognosis-related SLC family genes, six of which were used to construct a prognostic signature for patient classification into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in all internal and external cohorts revealed a better overall survival for patients in the low-risk group than those in the high-risk group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the derived risk score was an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients. Moreover, a nomogram based on the six-gene signature and clinicopathological factors was developed for clinical application. High-risk patients had lower stromal, immune, and ESTIMATE scores and higher tumor purities than those in the low-risk group. The proportions of infiltrating naive CD4 T cells, activated memory CD4 T cells, M0 macrophages, resting dendritic cells, resting mast cells, activated mast cells, and eosinophils were significantly different between the high- and low-risk prognostic groups. In all, the six-gene SLC family signature is of satisfactory accuracy and generalizability for predicting overall survival in patients with LUAD. Furthermore, this prognostics signature is related to tumor immune status and distinct immune cell infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Mou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenglan Ye
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongling Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rujuan Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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10
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Atwa SM, Odenthal M, El Tayebi HM. Genetic Heterogeneity, Therapeutic Hurdle Confronting Sorafenib and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4343. [PMID: 34503153 PMCID: PMC8430643 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174343] [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: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the latest advances in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening and treatment modalities, HCC is still representing a global burden. Most HCC patients present at later stages to an extent that conventional curative options are ineffective. Hence, systemic therapy represented by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, in the first-line setting is the main treatment modality for advanced-stage HCC. However, in the two groundbreaking phase III clinical trials, the SHARP and Asia-Pacific trials, sorafenib has demonstrated a modest prolongation of overall survival in almost 30% of HCC patients. As HCC develops in an immune-rich milieu, particular attention has been placed on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a novel therapeutic modality for HCC. Yet, HCC therapy is hampered by the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and the subsequent tumor recurrence. HCC is characterized by substantial genomic heterogeneity that has an impact on cellular response to the applied therapy. And hence, this review aims at giving an insight into the therapeutic impact and the different mechanisms of resistance to sorafenib and ICIs as well as, discussing the genomic heterogeneity associated with such mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Atwa
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11865, Egypt;
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, 50924 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Hend M. El Tayebi
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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11
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Wang Y, Liu S, Chen Q, Ren Y, Li Z, Cao S. Novel small molecular inhibitor of Pit-Oct-Unc transcription factor 1 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation. Life Sci 2021; 277:119521. [PMID: 33891940 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent fatal malignancies in the Chinese population, due to high rates of hepatitis virus infection. Molecular targeted drugs such as sorafenib are the anti-tumor agents of choice for HCC treatment, but their results are generally unsatisfactory. In the present study the use of Pit-Oct-Unc transcription factor 1 (OCT1/POU2F1) as a potential therapeutic target for HCC was investigated, and a novel small molecular inhibitor of OCT1 (SMIO-1) was designed and its therapeutic efficacy against HCC was assessed. OCT1 expression was higher in HCC specimens than in corresponding non-tumor tissues, and higher OCT1 was associated with poorer prognosis in advanced HCC patients undergoing sorafenib treatment. For the first time, the novel SMIO-1 was investigated in conjunction with OCT1 via molecular docking. Interaction between SMIO-1 and OCT1 was confirmed via OCT1 point mutation. Treatment with SMIO-1 repressed OCT1 transcription factor activation by disrupting the interaction between OCT1 and its cofactors. It also repressed the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells, and inhibited proliferation-related and metastasis-related genes downstream of OCT1. Therefore, SMIO-1 is a promising strategy for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Number 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuo Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Number 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Number 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixin Ren
- School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongxiang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang Cao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Jurgelewicz A, Dornbos P, Warren M, Nault R, Arkatkar A, Lin H, Threadgill DW, Zacharewski T, LaPres JJ. Genetics-Based Approach to Identify Novel Genes Regulated by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Mouse Liver. Toxicol Sci 2021; 181:285-294. [PMID: 33720361 PMCID: PMC8599770 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor in the Per-Arnt-Sim superfamily of environmental sensors that is linked to several metabolic diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Much remains unknown regarding the impact of genetic variation in AHR-driven disease, as past studies have focused on a small number of inbred strains. Recently, the presence of a wide range of interindividual variability amongst humans was reported in response to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the prototypical ligand of the AHR. In this study, a panel of 14 diverse mouse strains was exposed to TCDD for 10 days to characterize the AHR-mediated response across genetic backgrounds. Responses to TCDD are heavily dependent on genetic background. Although mice carry 1 of 4 Ahr alleles known to impact the affinity to AHR-ligands, we observed significant intra-allelic variability suggesting the presence of novel genetic modifiers of AHR signaling. A regression-based approach was used to scan for genes regulated by the AHR and/or associated with TCDD-induced phenotypes. The approach identified 7 genes, 2 of which are novel, that are likely regulated by the AHR based on association with hepatic TCDD burden (p ≤ .05). Finally, we identified 1 gene, Dio1, which was associated with change in percent body fat across the diverse set of strains (p ≤ .05). Overall, the results in this study exemplify the power of genetics-based approaches in identifying novel genes that are putatively regulated by the AHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Jurgelewicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Peter Dornbos
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Melanie Warren
- Interdisciplinary Program in Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Rance Nault
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Anooj Arkatkar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Hui Lin
- The Dow Chemical Company, Environmental Technology Center, Midland, Michigan 48674, USA
| | - David W Threadgill
- Interdisciplinary Program in Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Tim Zacharewski
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - John J LaPres
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA,To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 603 Wilson Road, Room 224, East Lansing, MI 48824-1319. E-mail:
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13
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Zhang Z, Tan X, Luo J, Yao H, Si Z, Tong JS. The miR-30a-5p/CLCF1 axis regulates sorafenib resistance and aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:902. [PMID: 33097691 PMCID: PMC7584607 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03123-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a major health threat for the Chinese population and has poor prognosis because of strong resistance to chemotherapy in patients. For instance, a considerable challenge for the treatment of HCC is sorafenib resistance. The aberrant glucose metabolism in cancer cells aerobic glycolysis is associated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Drug-resistance cells and tumors were exposed to sorafenib to establish sorafenib-resistance cell lines and tumors. Western blotting and real-time PCR or IHC staining were used to analyze the level of CLCF1 in the sorafenib resistance cell lines or tumors. The aerobic glycolysis was analyzed by ECAR assay. The mechanism mediating the high expression of CLCF1 in sorafenib-resistant cells and its relationships with miR-130-5p was determined by bioinformatic analysis, dual luciferase reporter assays, real-time PCR, and western blotting. The in vivo effect was evaluated by xenografted with nude mice. The relation of CLCF1 and miR-30a-5p was determined in patients' samples. In this study, we report the relationship between sorafenib resistance and increased glycolysis in HCC cells. We also show the vital role of CLCF1 in promoting glycolysis by activating PI3K/AKT signaling and its downstream genes, thus participating in glycolysis in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Furthermore, we also show that miR-30a-5p directly targets CLCF1 and that sorafenib-mediated suppression of miR-30a-5p results in the upregulation of CLCF1 in HCC cells resistant to sorafenib. We also found that when a cholesterol modified agomiR-30a-5p was delivered systemically to mice harboring sorafenib-resistant HCC tumors, tumor growth decreased significantly. There is an uncharacterized mechanism of biochemical resistance to hormone therapies orchestrated by the miR-30a-5p/CLCF1 axis to mediate sorafenib resistance and aerobic glycolysis in HCC. Therefore, this study indicates that targeting the miR-30a-5p/CLCF1 axis may hold promise for therapeutic intervention in HCC sorafenib resistance patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqiang Zhang
- Department of Liver Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Xiao Tan
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Liver Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Hongliang Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhongzhou Si
- Department of Liver Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 410011, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China.
| | - Jing-Shan Tong
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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14
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Li S, Shen L. Radiobiology of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR): perspectives of clinical oncologists. J Cancer 2020; 11:5056-5068. [PMID: 32742453 PMCID: PMC7378931 DOI: 10.7150/jca.44408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a novel radiation treatment method that delivers an intense dose of radiation to the treatment targets with high accuracy. The excellent local control and tolerance profile of SABR have made it become an important modality in cancer treatment. The radiobiology of SABR is a key factor in understanding and further optimizing the benefits of SABR. In this review, we have addressed several issues in the radiobiology of SABR from the perspective of clinical oncologists. The appropriateness of the linear-quadratic (LQ) model for SABR is controversial based on preclinical data, but it is a reliable tool from the perspective of clinical application because the biological effective dose (BED) calculated with it can represent the tumor control probability (TCP). Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in SABR in spite of the relatively small tumor size and has a negative effect on the efficacy of SABR. Preliminary studies indicate that a hypoxic radiosensitizer combined with SABR may be a feasible strategy, but so far there is not adequate evidence to support its application in routine practice. The vascular change of endothelial apoptosis and blood perfusion reduction in SABR may enhance the response of tumor cells to radiation. Combination of SABR with anti-angiogenesis therapy has shown promising efficacy and good tolerance in advanced cancers. SABR is more powerful in enhancing antitumor immunity and works better with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than conventional fractionation radiotherapy. Combination of SABR with ICIs has become a practical option for cancer patients with metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liangfang Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, China
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15
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Marin JJ, Macias RI, Monte MJ, Romero MR, Asensio M, Sanchez-Martin A, Cives-Losada C, Temprano AG, Espinosa-Escudero R, Reviejo M, Bohorquez LH, Briz O. Molecular Bases of Drug Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061663. [PMID: 32585893 PMCID: PMC7352164 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor outcome of patients with non-surgically removable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent type of primary liver cancer, is mainly due to the high refractoriness of this aggressive tumor to classical chemotherapy. Novel pharmacological approaches based on the use of inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (TKIs), mainly sorafenib and regorafenib, have provided only a modest prolongation of the overall survival in these HCC patients. The present review is an update of the available information regarding our understanding of the molecular bases of mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOC) with a significant impact on the response of HCC to existing pharmacological tools, which include classical chemotherapeutic agents, TKIs and novel immune-sensitizing strategies. Many of the more than one hundred genes involved in seven MOC have been identified as potential biomarkers to predict the failure of treatment, as well as druggable targets to develop novel strategies aimed at increasing the sensitivity of HCC to pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J.G. Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.J.G.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +34-663182872 (J.J.G.M.); +34-923294674 (O.B.)
| | - Rocio I.R. Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J. Monte
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R. Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Candela Cives-Losada
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Alvaro G. Temprano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Ricardo Espinosa-Escudero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Maria Reviejo
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Laura H. Bohorquez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM) Group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.I.R.M.); (M.J.M.); (M.R.R.); (M.A.); (A.S.-M.); (C.C.-L.); (A.G.T.); (R.E.-E.); (M.R.); (L.H.B.)
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.J.G.M.); (O.B.); Tel.: +34-663182872 (J.J.G.M.); +34-923294674 (O.B.)
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16
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Cabral LKD, Tiribelli C, Sukowati CHC. Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Relevance of Genetic Heterogeneity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1576. [PMID: 32549224 PMCID: PMC7352671 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in biomedicine, the incidence and the mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain high. The majority of HCC cases are diagnosed in later stages leading to the less than optimal outcome of the treatments. Molecular targeted therapy with sorafenib, a dual-target inhibitor targeting the serine-threonine kinase Raf and the tyrosine kinases VEGFR/PDGFR, is at present the main treatment for advanced-stage HCC, either in a single or combinatory regimen. However, it was observed in a large number of patients that its effectiveness is hampered by drug resistance. HCC is highly heterogeneous, within the tumor and among individuals, and this influences disease progression, classification, prognosis, and naturally cellular susceptibility to drug resistance. This review aims to provide an insight on how HCC heterogeneity influences the different primary mechanisms of chemoresistance against sorafenib including reduced drug intake, enhanced drug efflux, intracellular drug metabolism, alteration of molecular targets, activation/inactivation of signaling pathways, changes in the DNA repair machinery, and negative balance between apoptosis and survival of the cancer cells. The diverse variants, mutations, and polymorphisms in molecules and their association with drug response can be a helpful tool in treatment decision making. Accordingly, the existence of heterogeneous biomarkers in the tumor must be considered to strengthen multi-target strategies in patient-tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caecilia H. C. Sukowati
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato (Italian Liver Foundation), AREA Science Park, Basovizza, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (L.K.D.C.); (C.T.)
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17
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Cheng Z, Wei-Qi J, Jin D. New insights on sorafenib resistance in liver cancer with correlation of individualized therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188382. [PMID: 32522600 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is highly malignant and insensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy and is associated with very poor patient prognosis. In 2007, the small-molecule targeted drug sorafenib was approved for the treatment of advanced liver cancer. In the subsequent ten years, sorafenib has been the only first-line therapeutic targeted drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a number of clinical studies show that a considerable percentage of patients with liver cancer are insensitive to sorafenib. The number of patients who actually benefit significantly from sorafenib treatment is very limited, and the overall efficacy of sorafenib is far from satisfactory, which has attracted the attention of researchers. Based on previous studies and reports, this article reviews the potential mechanisms of sorafenib resistance (SR) and summarizes the biomarkers and clinicopathological indicators that might be used for predicting sorafenib response and developing personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Cheng
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiang Wei-Qi
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ding Jin
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China.
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18
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Siracusano G, Tagliamonte M, Buonaguro L, Lopalco L. Cell Surface Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Bench to Bedside. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010041. [PMID: 31991677 PMCID: PMC7157713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface proteins act as the go-between in carrying the information from the extracellular environment to the intracellular signaling proteins. However, these proteins are often deregulated in neoplastic diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma. This review discusses several recent studies that have investigated the role of cell surface proteins in the occurrence and progression of HCC, highlighting the possibility to use them as biomarkers of the disease and/or targets for vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Siracusano
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-022643-4957
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Lucia Lopalco
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
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