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Tan K, Zhang C, He Z, Zeng P. Construction of an anoikis-associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network reveals the prognostic role of β-elemene in non-small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20185. [PMID: 37980372 PMCID: PMC10657389 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46480-7] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Elemene is the main active ingredient in Curcumae Rhizoma that exerts antitumour effects. Anoikis affects tumour development through various biological pathways in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the regulation between β-elemene and anoikis remains to be explored. First, we explored the molecular expression patterns of anoikis-associated genes (AAGs) using consensus clustering and characterized the impact of AAGs on patient prognosis, clinical characteristics, and genomic instability. In addition, we revealed that AAG regulatory genes have rich interactions with β-elemene targets, and established a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to explain the effect of β-elemene on anoikis. Finally, to reveal the prognostic effect of their correlation, the prognostic scoring model and clinical nomogram of β-elemene and anoikis were successfully established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest algorithms. This prognostic scoring model containing noncoding RNA (ncRNA) can indicate the immunotherapy and mutational landscape, providing a novel theoretical basis and direction for the study of the antitumour mechanism of β-elemene in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Tan
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhui Zhang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuomei He
- Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Puhua Zeng
- Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Song Q, Zhang W, Shi D, Zhang Z, Zhao Q, Wang M, Huang M, Meng J, Cui W, Luo X. Overexpression of cannabinoid receptor 2 is associated with human breast cancer proliferation, apoptosis, chemosensitivity and prognosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Cancer Med 2023; 12:13538-13550. [PMID: 37220224 PMCID: PMC10315729 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6037] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is mainly involved in the immune system. However, although CB2 has been reported to play an anti-tumor function in breast cancer (BC), its specific mechanism in BC remains unclear. METHODS We examined the expression and prognostic significance of CB2 in BC tissues by qPCR, second-generation sequencing, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We assessed the impacts of overexpression and a specific agonist of CB2 on the growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and drug resistance of BC cells in vitro and in vivo using CCK-8, flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, tumor xenografts, western blot, and colony formation assays. RESULTS CB2 expression was significantly lower in BC compared with paracancerous tissues. It was also highly expressed in benign tumors and ductal carcinoma in situ, and its expression was correlated with prognosis in BC patients. CB2 overexpression and treatment of BC cells with a CB2 agonist inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis, and these actions were achieved by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, CB2 expression was increased in MDA-MB-231 cell treated with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and docetaxel, and sensitivity to these anti-tumor drugs was increased in BC cells overexpressing CB2. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal that CB2 mediates BC via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. CB2 could be a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Song
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Wenjin Zhang
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Dan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Zhiliang Zhang
- Department of Breast SurgeryChongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Qiurong Zhao
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Mengyuan Wang
- Department of Breast SurgeryChongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Man Huang
- Department of Breast SurgeryChongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Juanjuan Meng
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
| | - Xiaohe Luo
- Department of Central LaboratoryChongqing University Three Gorges HospitalChongqing UniversityWanzhou, ChongqingChina
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Song E, Ghil S. Crosstalk between cannabinoid receptor 2 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 666:154-161. [PMID: 37187093 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) are both classified as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by bioactive lipids and are highly expressed in colon cancer cells. However, crosstalk between two receptors and its potential effects on cancer cell physiology have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the results of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer analysis showed that, among the LPA receptors, CB2 strongly and specifically interacted with LPA5. Both receptors were co-localized in the plasma membrane in the absence of agonists, and the receptors were co-internalized upon activation of either receptor alone or both receptors together. We further investigated the effects of expression of both receptors on cell proliferation and migration, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Co-expression of receptors significantly increased cell proliferation and migration by increasing Akt phosphorylation and tumor progression-related gene expression, whereas no such effect was seen upon expression of either receptor alone. These results suggest the possibility of physical and functional crosstalk between CB2 and LPA5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Song
- Department of Life Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon, 16227, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Ghil
- Department of Life Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon, 16227, Republic of Korea.
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Sarsembayeva A, Kienzl M, Gruden E, Ristic D, Maitz K, Valadez-Cosmes P, Santiso A, Hasenoehrl C, Brcic L, Lindenmann J, Kargl J, Schicho R. Cannabinoid receptor 2 plays a pro-tumorigenic role in non-small cell lung cancer by limiting anti-tumor activity of CD8 + T and NK cells. Front Immunol 2023; 13:997115. [PMID: 36700219 PMCID: PMC9868666 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.997115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid (CB) receptors (CB1 and CB2) are expressed on cancer cells and their expression influences carcinogenesis in various tumor entities. Cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME) also express CB receptors, however, their role in tumor development is still unclear. We, therefore, investigated the role of TME-derived CB1 and CB2 receptors in a model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Leukocytes in the TME of mouse and human NSCLC express CB receptors, with CB2 showing higher expression than CB1. In the tumor model, using CB1- (CB1 -/-) and CB2-knockout (CB2 -/-) mice, only deficiency of CB2, but not of CB1, resulted in reduction of tumor burden vs. wild type (WT) littermates. This was accompanied by increased accumulation and tumoricidal activity of CD8+ T and natural killer cells, as well as increased expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand on lymphoid and myeloid cells, respectively. CB2 -/- mice responded significantly better to anti-PD-1 therapy than WT mice. The treatment further increased infiltration of cytotoxic lymphocytes into the TME of CB2 -/- mice. Our findings demonstrate that TME-derived CB2 dictates the immune cell recruitment into tumors and the responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy in a model of NSCLC. CB2 could serve as an adjuvant target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arailym Sarsembayeva
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Kienzl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Gruden
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dusica Ristic
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kathrin Maitz
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Paulina Valadez-Cosmes
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ana Santiso
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Carina Hasenoehrl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Luka Brcic
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jörg Lindenmann
- Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria,*Correspondence: Rudolf Schicho,
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Boyacıoğlu Ö, Korkusuz P. Cannabinoids as Prospective Anti-Cancer Drugs: Mechanism of Action in Healthy and Cancer Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1410:145-169. [PMID: 36396926 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2022_748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids modulate many physiological and pathological processes by binding classical cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) or 2 (CB2) or non-cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoids are known to exert antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-migratory and anti-invasive effect on cancer cells by inducing or inhibiting various signaling cascades. In this chapter, we specifically emphasize the latest research works about the alterations in endocannabinoid system (ECS) components in malignancies and cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, autophagy, and death by cannabinoid administration, emphasizing their mechanism of action, and give a future perspective for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Boyacıoğlu
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Atılım University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Petek Korkusuz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Disorders of cancer metabolism: The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:113993. [PMID: 36379120 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal energy metabolism, as one of the important hallmarks of cancer, was induced by multiple carcinogenic factors and tumor-specific microenvironments. It comprises aerobic glycolysis, de novo lipid biosynthesis, and glutamine-dependent anaplerosis. Considering that metabolic reprogramming provides various nutrients for tumor survival and development, it has been considered a potential target for cancer therapy. Cannabinoids have been shown to exhibit a variety of anticancer activities by unclear mechanisms. This paper first reviews the recent progress of related signaling pathways (reactive oxygen species (ROS), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α), and p53) mediating the reprogramming of cancer metabolism (including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism). Then we comprehensively explore the latest discoveries and possible mechanisms of the anticancer effects of cannabinoids through the regulation of the above-mentioned related signaling pathways, to provide new targets and insights for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Gómez-Cañas M, Rodríguez-Cueto C, Satta V, Hernández-Fisac I, Navarro E, Fernández-Ruiz J. Endocannabinoid-Binding Receptors as Drug Targets. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:67-94. [PMID: 36152178 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis plant has been used from ancient times with therapeutic purposes for treating human pathologies, but the identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of the phytocannabinoids, the active compounds in this plant, occurred in the last years of the past century. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, seminal studies demonstrated the existence of cannabinoid receptors and other elements of the so-called endocannabinoid system. These G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a key element in the functions assigned to endocannabinoids and appear to serve as promising pharmacological targets. They include CB1, CB2, and GPR55, but also non-GPCRs can be activated by endocannabinoids, like ionotropic receptor TRPV1 and even nuclear receptors of the PPAR family. Their activation, inhibition, or simply modulation have been associated with numerous physiological effects at both central and peripheral levels, which may have therapeutic value in different human pathologies, then providing a solid experimental explanation for both the ancient medicinal uses of Cannabis plant and the recent advances in the development of cannabinoid-based specific therapies. This chapter will review the scientific knowledge generated in the last years around the research on the different endocannabinoid-binding receptors and their signaling mechanisms. Our intention is that this knowledge may help readers to understand the relevance of these receptors in health and disease conditions, as well as it may serve as the theoretical basis for the different experimental protocols to investigate these receptors and their signaling mechanisms that will be described in the following chapters.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gómez-Cañas
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Cueto
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Satta
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Hernández-Fisac
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Navarro
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
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8
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Cherkasova V, Wang B, Gerasymchuk M, Fiselier A, Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I. Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Treatment of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5142. [PMID: 36291926 PMCID: PMC9600568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an ancient homeostasis mechanism operating from embryonic stages to adulthood. It controls the growth and development of many cells and cell lineages. Dysregulation of the components of the ECS may result in uncontrolled proliferation, adhesion, invasion, inhibition of apoptosis and increased vascularization, leading to the development of various malignancies. Cancer is the disease of uncontrolled cell division. In this review, we will discuss whether the changes to the ECS are a cause or a consequence of malignization and whether different tissues react differently to changes in the ECS. We will discuss the potential use of cannabinoids for treatment of cancer, focusing on primary outcome/care-tumor shrinkage and eradication, as well as secondary outcome/palliative care-improvement of life quality, including pain, appetite, sleep, and many more factors. Finally, we will complete this review with the chapter on sex- and gender-specific differences in ECS and response to cannabinoids, and equality of the access to treatments with cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriia Cherkasova
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Marta Gerasymchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Anna Fiselier
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Olga Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Igor Kovalchuk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
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Benedicto A, Arteta B, Duranti A, Alonso-Alconada D. The Synthetic Cannabinoid URB447 Exerts Antitumor and Antimetastatic Effect in Melanoma and Colon Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101166. [PMID: 36297277 PMCID: PMC9606960 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is widespread through the body and carries out a wide variety of functions. However, its involvement in other pathologies, such as cancer, still needs further attention. We aim to investigate the role of CB2 receptor during melanoma and colorectal cancer (CRC) aggressiveness and metastatic growth in the liver. We used the synthetic cannabinoid URB447, a known CB2 agonist and CB1 antagonist drug, and studied prometastatic ability of mouse B16 melanoma and MCA38 CRC cells, by means of proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and matrix degradation in vitro upon URB447 treatment. We reported a dose-dependent viability decrease in both tumor types. This result is partly mediated by apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest in G1/G0 phase, as observed through flow cytometry. Melanoma and CRC cell migration was affected in a dose-dependent fashion as observed through scratch assay, whereas the secretion of matrix degrading proteins metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) and 9 (MMP9) in tumor cells did not significantly change. Moreover, daily treatment of tumor bearing mice with URB447 decreased the development of liver metastasis in a melanoma model in vivo. This proof of concept study points out to the synthetic cannabinoid URB447 as a potential candidate for deeper studies to confirm its potential as antitumor therapy and liver metastasis treatment for CRC and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Arteta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Andrea Duranti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Daniel Alonso-Alconada
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-946013294
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Luo CK, Chou PH, Ng SK, Lin WY, Wei TT. Cannabinoids orchestrate cross-talk between cancer cells and endothelial cells in colorectal cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:597-611. [PMID: 34007062 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00346-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medical marijuana has been approved by the FDA for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, less is known about its direct effects on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. In this study, RNA-sequencing datasets in the NCBI GEO repository were first analyzed; upregulation of cannabinoid receptors was observed in both primary and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor tissues. An increase of cannabinoid receptors was also found in patients with CRC, azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced CRC and CRC metastatic mouse models. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-induced tumor progression in both primary and metastatic mouse models and also increased angiogenesis. A human growth factor antibody array indicated that Δ9-THC promoted the secretion of angiogenic growth factors in CRC, leading to the induction of tube formation and migration in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived vascular endothelial cells. The nuclear translocation of STAT1 played important roles in Δ9-THC-induced angiogenesis and tumor progression. Pharmacological treatment with STAT1 antagonist or abrogation of STAT1 with CRISPR/Cas9-based strategy rescued those effects of Δ9-THC in CRC. This study demonstrates that marijuana might increase the risk of CRC progression and that inhibition of STAT1 is a potential strategy for attenuating these side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Kai Luo
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Chou
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Kok Ng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yen Lin
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Tang Wei
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Hinz B, Ramer R. Cannabinoids as anticancer drugs: current status of preclinical research. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1-13. [PMID: 35277658 PMCID: PMC9276677 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractDrugs that target the endocannabinoid system are of interest as pharmacological options to combat cancer and to improve the life quality of cancer patients. From this perspective, cannabinoid compounds have been successfully tested as a systemic therapeutic option in a number of preclinical models over the past decades. As a result of these efforts, a large body of data suggests that the anticancer effects of cannabinoids are exerted at multiple levels of tumour progression via different signal transduction mechanisms. Accordingly, there is considerable evidence for cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis and chemoresistance, as well as induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Further studies showed that cannabinoids could be potential combination partners for established chemotherapeutic agents or other therapeutic interventions in cancer treatment. Research in recent years has yielded several compounds that exert promising effects on tumour cells and tissues in addition to the psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, such as the non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the potential of cannabinoids as inhibitors of tumour growth and spread as demonstrated in preclinical studies.
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Glogauer J, Blay J. Cannabinoids, their cellular receptors, and effects on the invasive phenotype of carcinoma and metastasis. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 5:e1475. [PMID: 34313032 PMCID: PMC8842690 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The morbidity and mortality of cancer are significantly impacted by the invasive and metastatic potential of particular subgroups of malignant cells within a tumor. The particular pre-metastatic properties of cancerous cells are thus a critical target for novel therapeutics in the oncology field. Cannabinoid molecules have been investigated in recent years in the context of invasion and metastasis of various malignancies, with varying effects reported in the literature. RECENT FINDINGS There was substantial variability in the findings reported by the literature of the effects of cannabinoid molecules on cancer cell invasion and metastasis. These effects varied depending on which ligand and which of the CB1, CB2, or GPR55 receptors were investigated. These findings suggest a role for the phenomenon of biased signaling in explaining the diversity of effects of cannabinoid molecules on cancer cell invasion. CONCLUSION While substantially more investigation is required into the effects of cannabinoid molecules on cancer cell invasion and metastasis, we describe in this review the significant diversity in the responses of cancer cells to cannabinoid molecules in terms of their invasive and metastatic capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judah Glogauer
- Michael G. DeGroote School of MedicineMcMaster University Waterloo Regional CampusKitchenerOntarioCanada
| | - Jonathan Blay
- School of PharmacyUniversity of WaterlooWaterlooOntarioCanada
- Department of PathologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
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Kicman A, Pędzińska-Betiuk A, Kozłowska H. The potential of cannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation in respiratory diseases. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 911:174560. [PMID: 34648805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The global incidence of respiratory diseases and complications is increasing. Therefore, new methods of treatment, as well as prevention, need to be investigated. A group of compounds that should be considered for use in respiratory diseases is cannabinoids. There are three groups of cannabinoids - plant-derived phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and endogenous endocannabinoids including the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation. All cannabinoids exert their biological effects through either type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) and/or type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2). In numerous studies (in vitro and in vivo), cannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation have shown beneficial anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-fibrotic properties. Although in the respiratory system, most of the studies have focused on the positive properties of cannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation. There are few research reports discussing the negative impact of these compounds. This review summarizes the properties and mechanisms of action of cannabinoids and inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation in various models of respiratory diseases. A short description of the effects selected cannabinoids have on the human respiratory system and their possible use in the fight against COVID-19 is also presented. Additionally, a brief summary is provided of cannabinoid receptors properties and their expression in the respiratory system and cells of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kicman
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-222, Białystok, Poland.
| | - Anna Pędzińska-Betiuk
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-222, Białystok, Poland.
| | - Hanna Kozłowska
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-222, Białystok, Poland.
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Ramer R, Wittig F, Hinz B. The Endocannabinoid System as a Pharmacological Target for New Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225701. [PMID: 34830856 PMCID: PMC8616499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cannabinoids have been shown to suppress tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition and to induce tumour cell apoptosis, autophagy and immune response. This review focuses on the current status of investigations on the impact of inhibitors of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes on tumour growth and spread in preclinical oncology research. Abstract Despite the long history of cannabinoid use for medicinal and ritual purposes, an endogenous system of cannabinoid-controlled receptors, as well as their ligands and the enzymes that synthesise and degrade them, was only discovered in the 1990s. Since then, the endocannabinoid system has attracted widespread scientific interest regarding new pharmacological targets in cancer treatment among other reasons. Meanwhile, extensive preclinical studies have shown that cannabinoids have an inhibitory effect on tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induce tumour cell apoptosis and autophagy as well as immune response. Appropriate cannabinoid compounds could moreover be useful for cancer patients as potential combination partners with other chemotherapeutic agents to increase their efficacy while reducing unwanted side effects. In addition to the direct activation of cannabinoid receptors through the exogenous application of corresponding agonists, another strategy is to activate these receptors by increasing the endocannabinoid levels at the corresponding pathological hotspots. Indeed, a number of studies accordingly showed an inhibitory effect of blockers of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) on tumour development and spread. This review summarises the relevant preclinical studies with FAAH and MAGL inhibitors compared to studies with cannabinoids and provides an overview of the regulation of the endocannabinoid system in cancer.
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Paoletta M, Moretti A, Liguori S, Di Paola A, Tortora C, Argenziano M, Rossi F, Iolascon G. Role of the Endocannabinoid/Endovanilloid System in the Modulation of Osteoclast Activity in Paget's Disease of Bone. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810158. [PMID: 34576321 PMCID: PMC8469971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the endocannabinoid/endovanilloid (EC/EV) system in bone metabolism has recently received attention. Current literature evidences the modulation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts through the activation or inhibition of cannabinoid receptors in various pathological conditions with secondary involvement of bone tissue. However, this role is still unclear in primary bone diseases. Paget's disease of the bone (PDB) could be considered a disease model for analyzing the role of the EC/EV system on osteoclasts (OCs), speculating the potential use of specific agents targeting this system for managing metabolic bone disorders. The aim of the study is to analyze OCs expression of EC/EV system in patients with PDB and to compare OCs activity between this population and healthy people. Finally, we investigate whether specific agents targeting EC/EV systems are able to modulate OCs activity in this metabolic bone disorder. We found a significant increase in cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) protein expression in patients with PDB, compared to healthy controls. Moreover, we found a significant reduction in multi-nucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive OCs and resorption areas after treatment with JWH-133. CB2 could be a molecular target for reducing the activity of OCs in PDB, opening new therapeutic scenarios for the management of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Paoletta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.L.); (G.I.)
| | - Antimo Moretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.L.); (G.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-08156-65537
| | - Sara Liguori
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.L.); (G.I.)
| | - Alessandra Di Paola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, S. Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Chiara Tortora
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, L. De Crecchio 4, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.T.); (M.A.); (F.R.)
| | - Maura Argenziano
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, L. De Crecchio 4, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.T.); (M.A.); (F.R.)
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, L. De Crecchio 4, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.T.); (M.A.); (F.R.)
| | - Giovanni Iolascon
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.L.); (G.I.)
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Kienzl M, Hasenoehrl C, Maitz K, Sarsembayeva A, Taschler U, Valadez-Cosmes P, Kindler O, Ristic D, Raftopoulou S, Santiso A, Bärnthaler T, Brcic L, Hahnefeld L, Gurke R, Thomas D, Geisslinger G, Kargl J, Schicho R. Monoacylglycerol lipase deficiency in the tumor microenvironment slows tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1965319. [PMID: 34527428 PMCID: PMC8437460 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1965319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) expressed in cancer cells influences cancer pathogenesis but the role of MGL in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is less known. Using a syngeneic tumor model with KP cells (KrasLSL-G12D/p53fl/fl; from mouse lung adenocarcinoma), we investigated whether TME-expressed MGL plays a role in tumor growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In sections of human and experimental NSCLC, MGL was found in tumor cells and various cells of the TME including macrophages and stromal cells. Mice treated with the MGL inhibitor JZL184 as well as MGL knock-out (KO) mice exhibited a lower tumor burden than the controls. The reduction in tumor growth was accompanied by an increased number of CD8+ T cells and eosinophils. Naïve CD8+ T cells showed a shift toward more effector cells in MGL KOs and an increased expression of granzyme-B and interferon-γ, indicative of enhanced tumoricidal activity. 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) was increased in tumors of MGL KO mice, and dose-dependently induced differentiation and migration of CD8+ T cells as well as migration and activation of eosinophils in vitro. Our results suggest that next to cancer cell-derived MGL, TME cells expressing MGL are responsible for maintaining a pro-tumorigenic environment in tumors of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Kienzl
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Carina Hasenoehrl
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kathrin Maitz
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Arailym Sarsembayeva
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ulrike Taschler
- Institute Of Molecular Biosciences, University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Paulina Valadez-Cosmes
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Oliver Kindler
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dusica Ristic
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sofia Raftopoulou
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ana Santiso
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Bärnthaler
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Luka Brcic
- Diagnostic And Research Institute Of Pathology, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lisa Hahnefeld
- Institute Of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Gurke
- Institute Of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute For Translational Medicine And Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dominique Thomas
- Institute Of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Institute Of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute For Translational Medicine And Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Division Of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University Of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
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17
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Gruber T, Robatel S, Kremenovic M, Bäriswyl L, Gertsch J, Schenk M. Cannabinoid Receptor Type-2 in B Cells Is Associated with Tumor Immunity in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081934. [PMID: 33923757 PMCID: PMC8073134 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study we investigated the role of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) on immune cells in melanoma and found significantly improved overall survival in patients with high intra-tumoral CB2R gene expression. In human melanoma, CB2R is predominantly expressed in B cells, as shown using a previously published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset and by performing RNAscope. In a murine melanoma model, tumor growth was enhanced in CB2R-deficient mice. In-depth analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes using scRNA-seq showed less differentiated B cells in CB2R-deficient tumors, favoring the induction of regulatory T cells (Treg) and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Taken together, these data indicate a central role of CB2R on B cells in regulating tumor immunity. These results contribute to the understanding of the role of CB2R in tumor immunity and facilitate the development of new CB2R-targeted anti-cancer drugs. Abstract Agents targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS) have gained attention as potential cancer treatments. Given recent evidence that cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) regulates lymphocyte development and inflammation, we performed studies on CB2R in the immune response against melanoma. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data revealed a strong positive correlation between CB2R expression and survival, as well as B cell infiltration in human melanoma. In a murine melanoma model, CB2R expression reduced the growth of melanoma as well as the B cell frequencies in the tumor microenvironment (TME), compared to CB2R-deficient mice. In depth analysis of tumor-infiltrating B cells using single-cell RNA sequencing suggested a less differentiated phenotype in tumors from Cb2r−/− mice. Thus, in this study, we demonstrate for the first time a protective, B cell-mediated role of CB2R in melanoma. This gained insight might assist in the development of novel, CB2R-targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gruber
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.G.); (S.R.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
- Graduate School GCB, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Steve Robatel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.G.); (S.R.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
- Graduate School GCB, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mirela Kremenovic
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.G.); (S.R.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
- Graduate School GCB, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Bäriswyl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.G.); (S.R.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Mirjam Schenk
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.G.); (S.R.); (M.K.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-31-632-88-02
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18
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Liao X, Huang R, Wang X, Huang K, Yang C, Zhou X, Han C, Su H, Ye X, Liu K, Zhu G, Peng T. UXT antisense RNA 1 sever as a novel prognostic long non-coding RNA in early stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients after receiving pancreaticoduodenectomy. J Cancer 2021; 12:2122-2139. [PMID: 33754011 PMCID: PMC7974525 DOI: 10.7150/jca.46084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The principal objective of this project was to investigate the prognostic value of UXT antisense RNA 1 (UXT-AS1) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), as well as its biological function mechanisms and the screening of targeted drugs using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PDAC genome-wide RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) dataset. Methods: We used TCGA 112 early stage PDAC patients to screen the prognostic value of UXT-AS1. Biological functions and mechanisms of UXT-AS1 were investigated by co-expression analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and gene set enrichment analysis, while targeted drug screening was investigated by connectivity Map (CMap). Results: By analyzing the dataset from TCGA cohort, we found that UXT-AS1 was significantly up-regulated in pancreatic cancer tissues. Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that PDAC patients with high UXT-AS1 expression had an unfavourable prognosis (adjusted P=0.033, HR=1.830, 95%CI=1.051-3.188). Genome-wide co-expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis suggested that UXT-AS1 may act as a pivotal part in PDAC by participating in nuclear factor kappa beta, regulation of tumor necrosis factor, cell adhesion, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and numerous immune-related biological processes and signaling pathways. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs between high- and low-UXT-AS1 expression groups suggested that these DEGs were significant enriched in B cell receptor complex, response to drug chemical carcinogenesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. CMap analysis revealed that quipazine and terazosin may be targeted drugs for UXT-AS1 in PDAC. Conclusion: Our current study has identified UXT-AS1 as a novel biomarker for the prognosis of early stage PDAC. We also clarified its biological functional mechanisms and identified two targeted drugs of UXT-AS1 in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangkun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ketuan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengkun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuangye Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinping Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangzhi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
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Wu Y, Yin Q, Zhou YL, He L, Zou ZQ, Dai XY, Xia W. Evaluation of microRNAs as potential biomarkers in circulating HPV-DNA-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients. Cancer Biol Ther 2021; 22:136-148. [PMID: 33535877 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2021.1872155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the potential risk of circulating-HPV-DNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to analyze abnormally expressed miRNAs in circulating HPV-DNA-positive NSCLC. HPV universal primers were used to detect the presence of HPV-DNA in the peripheral blood of 100 patients with NSCLC. The relationship between circulating-HPV-DNA and NSCLC patients characteristics was analyzed. Then, eight differentially expressed miRNAs in NSCLC were screened based on the TCGA database. The levels of miRNAs in circulating HPV-DNA-positive NSCLC patients were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. ROC curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Circulating-HPV-DNA was found in 16 patients. The proportion of HPV-DNA-positive patients with poorly differentiated NSCLC, advanced lung cancer and lymph node metastasis was higher than that of HPV-DNA-negative patients. The levels of miR-183, miR-210 and miR-182 were significantly higher and miR-144 was significantly lower in HPV-DNA-positive NSCLC than those in HPV-DNA-negative NSCLC patients. When using a single miRNA to identify circulating HPV-DNA-positive NSCLC patients, miR-210 had a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) than other miRNAs, and its sensitivity and specificity were also higher. In addition, the combination of two miRNAs was more effective than a single miRNA. Among them, miR-210+ miR-144 had the highest AUC value and showed the best prediction performance. Circulating-HPV-DNA may serve as a risk factor in NSCLC. Plasma miR-183, miR-210, miR-182 and miR-144 can be used as reliable biomarkers to identify circulating HPV-DNA-positive NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ya-Ling Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi-Qing Zou
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Dai
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Xia
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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Boyacıoğlu Ö, Bilgiç E, Varan C, Bilensoy E, Nemutlu E, Sevim D, Kocaefe Ç, Korkusuz P. ACPA decreases non-small cell lung cancer line growth through Akt/PI3K and JNK pathways in vitro. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:56. [PMID: 33431819 PMCID: PMC7801394 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic agents used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have limited curative efficacy and may trigger serious adverse effects. Cannabinoid ligands exert antiproliferative effect and induce apoptosis on numerous epithelial cancers. We confirmed that CB1 receptor (CB1R) is expressed in NSCLC cells in this study. Arachidonoylcyclopropylamide (ACPA) as a synthetic, CB1R-specific ligand decreased proliferation rate in NSCLC cells by WST-1 analysis and real-time proliferation assay (RTCA). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) dose of ACPA was calculated as 1.39 × 10-12 M. CB1 antagonist AM281 inhibited the antiproliferative effect of ACPA. Flow cytometry and ultrastructural analyzes revealed significant early and late apoptosis with diminished cell viability. Nano-immunoassay and metabolomics data on activation status of CB1R-mediated pro-apoptotic pathways found that ACPA inhibited Akt/PI3K pathway, glycolysis, TCA cycle, amino acid biosynthesis, and urea cycle and activated JNK pathway. ACPA lost its chemical stability after 24 hours tested by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay. A novel ACPA-PCL nanoparticle system was developed by nanoprecipitation method and characterized. Sustained release of ACPA-PCL nanoparticles also reduced proliferation of NSCLC cells. Our results demonstrated that low dose ACPA and ACPA-PCL nanoparticle system harbor opportunities to be developed as a novel therapy in NSCLC patients that require further in vivo studies beforehand to validate its anticancer effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Boyacıoğlu
- Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, 06800, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
- Atılım University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, 06830, Gölbaşı, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elif Bilgiç
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Cem Varan
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Erem Bilensoy
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emirhan Nemutlu
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Duygu Sevim
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Çetin Kocaefe
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Petek Korkusuz
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, 06100, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
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21
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Basagni F, Rosini M, Decker M. Functionalized Cannabinoid Subtype 2 Receptor Ligands: Fluorescent, PET, Photochromic and Covalent Molecular Probes. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1374-1389. [PMID: 32578963 PMCID: PMC7497013 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid subtype 2 receptors (CB2 Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belonging to the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of signalling pathways leading to the regulation of key physiological processes. Interestingly, CB2 Rs are strongly up-regulated in pathological conditions correlated with the onset of inflammatory events like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, CB2 Rs represent an important biological target for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes. No CB2 R-selective drugs are yet on the market, thus underlining a that deeper comprehension of CB2 Rs' complex activation pathways and their role in the regulation of diseases is needed. Herein, we report an overview of pharmacological and imaging tools such as fluorescent, positron emission tomography (PET), photochromic and covalent selective CB2 R ligands. These molecular probes can be used in vitro as well as in vivo to investigate and explore the unravelled role(s) of CB2 Rs, and they can help to design suitable CB2 R-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Basagni
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food ChemistryJulius Maximilian University of WürzburgAm Hubland97074WürzburgGermany
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyUniversity of BolognaVia Belmeloro 640126BolognaItaly
| | - Michela Rosini
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyUniversity of BolognaVia Belmeloro 640126BolognaItaly
| | - Michael Decker
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Institute of Pharmacy and Food ChemistryJulius Maximilian University of WürzburgAm Hubland97074WürzburgGermany
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22
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Liu C, Sadat SH, Ebisumoto K, Sakai A, Panuganti BA, Ren S, Goto Y, Haft S, Fukusumi T, Ando M, Saito Y, Guo T, Tamayo P, Yeerna H, Kim W, Hubbard J, Sharabi AB, Gutkind JS, Califano JA. Cannabinoids Promote Progression of HPV-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via p38 MAPK Activation. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:2693-2703. [PMID: 31932491 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with daily marijuana use and is also increasing in parallel with increased marijuana use in the United States. Our study is designed to define the interaction between cannabinoids and HPV-positive HNSCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The expression of cannabinoid receptors CNR1 and CNR2 was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HNSCC data. We used agonists, antagonists, siRNAs, or shRNA-based models to explore the roles of CNR1 and CNR2 in HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines and animal models. Cannabinoid downstream pathways involved were determined by Western blotting and analyzed in a primary HPV HNSCC cohort with single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and the OncoGenome Positioning System (Onco-GPS). RESULTS In TCGA cohort, the expression of CNR1 and CNR2 was elevated in HPV-positive HNSCC compared with HPV-negative HNSCC, and knockdown of CNR1/CNR2 expression inhibited proliferation in HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines. Specific CNR1 and CNR2 activation as well as nonselective cannabinoid receptor activation in cell lines and animal models promoted cell growth, migration, and inhibited apoptosis through p38 MAPK pathway activation. CNR1/CNR2 antagonists suppressed cell proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis. Using whole-genome expression analysis in a primary HPV HNSCC cohort, we identified specific p38 MAPK pathway activation signature in tumors from HPV HNSCC patients with objective measurement of concurrent cannabinoid exposure. CONCLUSIONS Cannabinoids can promote progression of HPV-positive HNSCC through p38 MAPK pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sayed H Sadat
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Koji Ebisumoto
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Akihiro Sakai
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Bharat A Panuganti
- Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Shuling Ren
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yusuke Goto
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sunny Haft
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Takahito Fukusumi
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Mizuo Ando
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Yuki Saito
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Theresa Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Huwate Yeerna
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - William Kim
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jacqueline Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Andrew B Sharabi
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Joseph A Califano
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. .,Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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