Anoikis resistance and tumor metastasis

Anoikis-related genes linked with patient outcome in pancreatic cancer

Anoikis is programmed cell death occurring upon cell detachment from the extracellular matrix. Cancer cells need to evade anoikis to be able to metastasize to distant sites. However, the molecular features and prognostic value of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. In this study, we utilized transcriptome data from the TCGA and GSE102238 databases to identify 64 ARGs significantly associated with prognosis. We used the "ConsensusClusterPlus" R package to stratify patients into high and low-risk prognostic subgroups. The KEGG and GSEA analyses revealed that the clusters with poor prognosis were enriched for the ECM receptor interaction pathway, the TP53 signaling pathway, and the galactose metabolism pathway, and that the cell cycle pathway was upregulated. A prognostic model consisting of seven ARGs (SERPINE1, EGF, E2F1, MSLN, RAB27B, ETV7, MST1) was constructed using LASSO regression and when combined with clinicopathological parameters using Cox regression, a prognostic Nomogram was created, which demonstrated high prognostic utility. Among the biomarker candidates, we report ETV7 as a novel, independent prognostic marker in pancreatic cancer. ETV7 was highly expressed in KRAS and TP53 co-occurrent mutant TCGA patients, indicating that it may be regulated by the two major driver genes of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, targeting ETV7 could be a potential focus for future therapeutic studies.

Liquid biopsy: paving a new avenue for cancer research

The current constraints associated with cancer diagnosis and molecular profiling, which rely on invasive tissue biopsies or clinical imaging, have spurred the emergence of the liquid biopsy field. Liquid biopsy involves the extraction of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating free or circulating tumor DNA (cfDNA or ctDNA), circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) from bodily fluid samples. Subsequently, these components undergo molecular characterization to identify biomarkers that are critical for early cancer detection, prognosis, therapeutic assessment, and post-treatment monitoring. These innovative biosources exhibit characteristics analogous to those of the primary tumor from which they originate or interact. This review comprehensively explores the diverse technologies and methodologies employed for processing these biosources, along with their principal clinical applications.

NAT10 functions as a pivotal regulator in gastric cancer metastasis and tumor immunity

Gastric cancer (GC) presents a significant global health burden, with metastasis being the leading cause of treatment failure and mortality. NAT10, a regulatory protein involved in mRNA acetylation, has been implicated in various cancers. However, its role in GC, especially concerning metastasis and immune interactions, remains unclear. Utilizing multi-omics data from gastric cancer samples, we conducted comprehensive analyses to investigate NAT10 expression, its correlation with clinical parameters and immune relevance. Bioinformatics analysis and digital image processing were employed for this purpose. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to elucidate the functional role of NAT10 in gastric cancer progression, aiming to provide deeper biological insights. Our findings reveal a significant association between NAT10 expression and various aspects of transcriptional, protein, as well as tumor immunity in GC patients. Additionally, we demonstrated that NAT10 promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration, both in cellular models and in animal studies, suggesting its involvement in early tumor microvascular metastasis. NAT10 emerges as a promising molecular target, offering potential avenues for further research into molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for GC.

Mesoporous cerium oxide nanoenzyme for Efficacious impeding tumor and metastasis via Conferring resistance to anoikis

Tumor cells can survive when detached from the extracellular matrix or lose cell-to-cell connections, leading to a phenomenon known as anoikis resistance (AR). AR is closely associated with the metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells, enabling them to disseminate, migrate, and invade after detachment. Here, we have investigated a novel composite nanoenzyme comprising mesoporous silica/nano-cerium oxide (MSN-Ce@SP/PEG). This nanoenzyme exhibited satisfactory catalase (CAT) activity, efficiently converting high levels of H2O2 within tumor cells into O2, effectively alleviating tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, MSN-Ce@SP/PEG nanoenzyme demonstrated high peroxidase (POD) activity, elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and attenuating AR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The MSN-Ce@SP/PEG nanoenzyme exhibited satisfactory dual bioactivity in CAT and POD and was significantly enhanced under favorable photothermal conditions. Through the synergistic effects of these capabilities, the nanoenzyme disrupted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in detached HCC cells, ultimately inhibiting the recurrence and metastasis potential of anoikis-resistant HCC cells. This study represents the first report of a novel nanoenzyme based on mesoporous silica/nano-cerium oxide for treating AR in HCC cells, thereby suppressing HCC recurrence and metastasis. The findings of this work offer a pioneering perspective for the development of innovative strategies to prevent the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.

Targeting non-coding RNAs as a promising biomarker in peritoneal metastasis: Background, mechanism, and therapeutic approach

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) pathophysiology is complex and not fully understood. PM, originating from gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, is a condition that significantly worsens patient prognosis due to its complex nature and limited treatment options. The non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to play pivotal roles in cancer biology, influencing tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the regulatory functions of different classes of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in PM. Identifying biomarkers for early detection of PM is a crucial step towards improving patient outcomes, and how ncRNA profiles correlate with survival rates, response to therapy, and recurrence risks have raised much attention in recent years. Additionally, exploring innovative therapeutic approaches utilizing ncRNAs, such as targeted therapy and gene silencing, may offer new horizons in treating this dire condition. Recent advances in systemic treatments and the development of novel loco-regional therapies have opened doors to multimodal treatment approaches. Radical surgeries combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have shown promising results, leading to extended patient survival. Current research is focused on the molecular characterization of PM, which is crucial for early detection and developing future therapeutic strategies. By summarizing the latest findings, this study underscores the transformative potential of ncRNAs in enhancing the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of PM in GI cancer, paving the way for more personalized and effective clinical strategies.

Prognostic Value and Immune Signatures of Anoikis-related Genes in Breast Cancer

From databases of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE42568, transcriptome data of breast cancer patients was obtained. Then, anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) were identified and constructed a risk score system. As a threshold value, the median risk score was used to stratify patients into low-risk and high-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was then conducted to evaluate the prognostic ability of the risk score system, which was validated using GSE7390. Furthermore, we identified potential enrichment of function and tumor immune infiltration in the model. Finally, the biological functions of a risk gene (EPB41L4B) in breast cancer were investigated through in vitro experiments. We constructed a risk score system via 9 prognosis ANRGs (CXCL2, EPB41L4B, SLC7A5, SFRP1, SDC1, BHLHE41, SPINT1, KRT15, and CD24). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that both TCGA-BRCA (training set) and GSE7390 (testing set) patients with high-risk status had significantly worse survival outcomes. In addition, the calibration plots were in good agreement with the prognosis prediction. Breast cancer patients with immunosuppressive microenvironment could be screened using risk groups since risk scores were correlated negatively with ESTIMATE score, tumor-infiltration lymphocytes, immune checkpoints, and chemotactic factors. Furthermore, cellular viability and cell migration of cancerous breast cells were inhibited and apoptosis was promoted by down-regulation of EPB41L4B gene expression. Based on ANRGs, a 9-gene prognostic model could be developed to predict breast cancer prognosis; moreover, patients of the high-risk group were in an immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment.

Bone sialoprotein facilitates anoikis resistance in lung cancer by inhibiting miR-150-5p expression

Metastatic lung cancer is a highly prevalent cancer with a very low chance of long-term survival. Metastasis at secondary sites requires that cancer cells develop anoikis resistance to survive during circulation. High levels of bone sialoprotein (BSP), a member of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs), have been shown to promote the spread of lung cancer cells; however, the effects of BSP in anoikis resistance are largely unknown. In this study, we determined that BSP promotes anoikis resistance in lung cancer cells. BSP was also shown to promote the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, which have been utilized as indicators of anoikis resistance). It appears that BSP facilitates MMP-14-dependent anoikis resistance by inhibiting the synthesis of miR-150-5p and activating the ERK signalling pathway. Knockdown of BSP expression was shown to block lung cancer metastasis by lowering anoikis resistance in vivo. These results indicate that BSP is a promising target to deal with anoikis resistance and metastasis in human lung cancers.

Exploring the prognostic value of BRMS1 + microglia based on single-cell anoikis regulator patterns in the immunologic microenvironment of GBM

BACKGROUND

Anoikis is a specialized form of programmed cell death induced by the loss of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Acquisition of anoikis resistance is a significant marker for cancer cell invasion, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence. Although current research has identified multiple factors that regulate anoikis resistance, the pathological mechanisms of anoikis-mediated tumor microenvironment (TME) in glioblastoma (GBM) remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and employing non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), we identified and characterized TME cell clusters with distinct anoikis-associated gene signatures. Prognostic and therapeutic response analyses were conducted using TCGA and CGGA datasets to assess the clinical significance of different TME cell clusters. The spatial relationship between BRMS1 + microglia and tumor cells was inferred from spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing (stRNA-seq) data. To simulate the tumor immune microenvironment, co-culture experiments were performed with microglia (HMC3) and GBM cells (U118/U251), and microglia were transfected with a BRMS1 overexpression lentivirus. Western blot or ELISA were used to detect BRMS1, M2 macrophage-specific markers, PI3K/AKT signaling proteins, and apoptosis-related proteins. The proliferation and apoptosis capabilities of tumor cells were evaluated using CCK-8, colony formation, and apoptosis assays, while the invasive and migratory abilities of tumor cells were assessed using Transwell assays.

RESULTS

NMF-based analysis successfully identified CD8 + T cell and microglia cell clusters with distinct gene signature characteristics. Trajectory analysis, cell communication, and gene regulatory network analyses collectively indicated that anoikis-mediated TME cell clusters can influence tumor cell development through various mechanisms. Notably, BRMS1 + AP-Mic exhibited an M2 macrophage phenotype and had significant cell communication with malignant cells. Moreover, high expression of BRMS1 + AP-Mic in TCGA and CGGA datasets was associated with poorer survival outcomes, indicating its detrimental impact on immunotherapy. Upregulation of BRMS1 in microglia may lead to M2 macrophage polarization, activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through SPP1/CD44-mediated cell interactions, inhibit tumor cell apoptosis, and promote tumor proliferation and invasion.

CONCLUSION

This pioneering study used NMF-based analysis to reveal the important predictive value of anoikis-regulated TME in GBM for prognosis and immunotherapeutic response. BRMS1 + microglial cells provide a new perspective for a deeper understanding of the immunosuppressive microenvironment of GBM and could serve as a potential therapeutic target in the future.

Prognostic value of anoikis-related genes revealed using multi-omics analysis and machine learning based on lower-grade glioma features and tumor immune microenvironment

Background

The investigation explores the involvement of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in lower-grade glioma (LGG), seeking to provide fresh insights into the disease's underlying mechanisms and to identify potential targets for therapy.

Methods

We applied unsupervised clustering techniques to categorize LGG patients into distinct molecular subtypes based on ARGs with prognostic significance. Additionally, various machine learning algorithms were employed to pinpoint genes most strongly correlated with patient outcomes, which were then used to develop and assess risk profiles.

Results

Our analysis identified two distinct molecular subtypes of LGG, each with significantly different prognoses. Patients in Cluster 2 had a median survival of 2.036 years, markedly shorter than the 7.994 years observed in Cluster 1 (P < 0.001). We also constructed a six-gene ARG signature that efficiently classified patients into two risk categories, showing median survival durations of 4.084 years for the high-risk group and 10.304 years for the low-risk group (P < 0.001). Significantly, the immune profiles, tumor mutation characteristics, and drug sensitivity varied greatly among these risk groups. The high-risk group was characterized by a "cold" tumor microenvironment (TME), a lower IDH1 mutation rate (61.7 % vs. 91.4 %), a higher TP53 mutation rate (53.7 % vs. 38.9 %), and greater sensitivity to targeted therapies such as QS11 and PF-562271. Furthermore, our nomogram, integrating risk scores with clinicopathological features, demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for clinical outcomes in LGG patients, with an AUC of 0.903 for the first year. The robustness of this prognostic model was further validated through internal cross-validation and across three external cohorts.

Conclusions

The evidence from our research suggests that ARGs could potentially serve as reliable indicators for evaluating immunotherapy effectiveness and forecasting clinical results in patients with LGG.

Anoikis-Related Genes Impact Prognosis and Tumor Microenvironment in Bladder Cancer

Anoikis tolerance is an important biological process of tumor colonization and metastasis outside the primary tumor. Recent research has progressively elucidated the function and underlying mechanisms of anoikis in the metastasis of various solid tumors. Nevertheless, the specific mechanisms of anoikis in bladder cancer and its consequent effects on the tumor immune microenvironment remain ambiguous. In this study, we developed an anoikis score based on five genes (ETV7, NGF, SCD, LAMC1, and CASP6) and categorized subjects into high and low-risk groups using the median score from the TCGA database. Our findings indicate that SCD enhances the proliferation of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, integrating the anoikis score with clinicopathological features to construct a prognostic nomogram demonstrated precision in assessing patient outcomes. Immune cell analysis revealed elevated infiltration levels of Treg cells and M2 macrophages in the high anoikis score group, whereas CD8+ T cell levels were reduced. This study highlights the importance of anoikis score in predicting patient prognosis, immune cell infiltration, and drug response, which may provide a treatment modality worth exploring in depth for the study of bladder cancer.

A thermo-sensitive hydrogel with prominent hemostatic effect prevents tumor recurrence via anti-anoikis-resistance

Tumor cells can survive when detached from the extracellular matrix (ECM) or lose cell-cell connections, a phenomenon known as anoikis-resistance (AR). AR is closely associated with tumor cell metastasis and recurrence, enabling tumor cells to disseminate, migrate, and invade after detachment. To address this issue, a novel intervention method combining intraoperative hemostasis with multifunctional nanozyme driven-enhanced chemodynamic therapy (ECDT) has been proposed, which holds the potential to weaken the AR capability of tumor cells and suppress tumor recurrence. Here, a nanocomposite containing a dendritic mesoporous nanoframework with Cu2+ was developed using an anion-assisted approach after surface PEG grafting and glucose oxidase (GOx) anchoring (DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG). DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG was further encapsulated in a thermal-sensitive hydrogel (H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG). DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG utilizes its high peroxidase (POD) activity to elevate intracellular ROS levels, thereby weakening the AR capability of bladder cancer cells. Additionally, through its excellent catalase (CAT) activity, DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG converts the high level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzed by intracellular GOx into oxygen (O2), effectively alleviating tumor hypoxia, downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, and ultimately suppressing the migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells. Interestingly, in vivo results showed that the thermosensitive hydrogel H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG could rapidly gel at body temperature, forming a gel film on wounds to eliminate residual tumor tissue after tumor resection surgery. Importantly, H@DMSN-Cu@GOx/PEG exhibited excellent hemostatic capabilities, effectively enhancing tissue coagulation during post-tumor resection surgery and mitigating the risk of cancer cell dissemination and recurrence due to surgical bleeding. Such hydrogels undoubtedly possess strong surgical application. Our developed novel nanosystem and hydrogel can inhibit the AR capability of tumor cells and prevent recurrence post-surgery. This study represents the first report of using dendritic mesoporous silica-based nanoreactors for inhibiting the AR capability of bladder cancer cells and suppressing tumor recurrence post-surgery, providing a new avenue for developing strategies to impede tumor recurrence after surgery.

A A, Suchita J, Gacche RN. Cancer metastases: Tailoring the targets

Metastasis is an intricate and formidable pathophysiological process encompassing the dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumour body to distant organs. It stands as a profound and devastating phenomenon that constitutes the primary driver of cancer-related mortality. Despite great strides of advancements in cancer research and treatment, tailored anti-metastasis therapies are either lacking or have shown limited success, necessitating a deeper understanding of the intrinsic elements driving cancer invasiveness. This comprehensive review presents a contemporary elucidation of pivotal facets within the realm of cancer metastasis, commencing with the intricate processes of homing and invasion. The process of angiogenesis, which supports tumour growth and metastasis, is addressed, along with the pre-metastatic niche, wherein the primary tumour prepares for a favorable microenvironment at distant sites for subsequent metastatic colonization. The landscape of metastasis-related genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, involvement of metastasis genes and metastasis suppressor genes, and microRNAs (miRNA) are also discussed. Furthermore, immune modulators' impact on metastasis and their potential as therapeutic targets are addressed. The interplay between cancer cells and the immune system, including immune evasion mechanisms employed by metastatic cells, is discussed, highlighting the importance of targeting immune modulation in arresting metastatic progression. Finally, this review presents promising treatment opportunities derived from the insights gained into the mechanisms of metastasis. Identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing innovative strategies to disrupt the metastatic cascade holds excellent potential for improving patient outcomes and ultimately reducing cancer-related mortality.

Crosstalk between breast cancer-derived microRNAs and brain microenvironmental cells in breast cancer brain metastasis

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women, constituting 15.2% of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States. Distant breast cancer metastasis accounts for the majority of breast cancer-related deaths; brain metastasis is the third most common site for metastatic breast cancer but is associated with worst prognosis of approximately eight months of survival. Current treatment options for breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) are limited and ineffective. To help identify new and effective therapies for BCBM, it is important to investigate the mechanisms by which breast cancer cells metastasize to the brain and thrive in the brain microenvironment. To this end, studies have reported that primary breast tumor cells can prime brain microenvironmental cells, including, astrocytes and microglia, to promote the formation of BCBM through the release of extracellular vesicle-microRNAs (miRNAs). Breast tumor-derived miRNAs can also promote breast cancer cell invasion through the blood-brain barrier by disrupting the integrity of the brain microvascular endothelial cells. In this review, we summarize current literature on breast cancer-derived BCBM-promoting miRNAs, cover their roles in the complex steps of BCBM particularly their interactions with microenvironmental cells within the brain metastatic niche, and finally discuss their therapeutic applications in the management of BCBM.

Identification and characterization of TM4SF1+ tumor self-seeded cells

Tumor self-seeding is a process whereby circulating tumor cells (CTCs) recolonize the primary tumor, which promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. However, the detailed nature and functions of tumor self-seeded cells (TSCs) have not been well defined due to challenges in tracking and isolating TSCs. Here, we report an accurate animal model using photoconvertible tagging to recapitulate the spontaneous process of tumor self-seeding and identify TSCs as a subpopulation of primary tumor cells with enhanced invasiveness and survival. We demonstrate transmembrane-4-L-six-family-1 (TM4SF1) as a marker of TSCs, which promotes migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent survival in cancer cells. By analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we identify a potential TSC population with a metastatic profile in patients with cancer, which is detectable in early-stage disease and expands during cancer progression. In summary, we establish a framework to study TSCs and identify emerging cell targets with diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic potential in cancers.

Integrative analysis of Anoikis-related genes reveals that FASN is a novel prognostic biomarker and promotes the malignancy of bladder cancer via Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Bladder cancer (BC) exhibits diversity in clinical outcomes and is characterized by heterogeneity. Anoikis, a form of programmed cell death, plays a crucial role in facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis. This study comprehensively investigated the genetic landscape of BC progression, identifying 300 differentially expressed Anoikis-related genes (DE-ARGs) through in-depth analysis of the GSE13507 datasets. Functional enrichment analysis revealed associations with diverse diseases and biological processes. Employing machine learning algorithms, a logistic regression model based on nine marker genes demonstrated superior accuracy in distinguishing BC from normal samples. Validation in TCGA datasets highlighted the prognostic significance of LRP1, FASN, and SIRT6, suggesting their potential as cancer biomarkers. Particularly, FASN emerged as an independent prognostic indicator, regulating BC cell proliferation and metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The study provides crucial insights into altered genetic landscapes and potential therapeutic strategies for BC, emphasizing the significance of FASN in BC prognosis and progression.

Targeting anoikis resistance as a strategy for cancer therapy

Anoikis, known as matrix detachment-induced apoptosis or detachment-induced cell death, is crucial for tissue development and homeostasis. Cancer cells develop means to evade anoikis, e.g. anoikis resistance, thereby allowing for cells to survive under anchorage-independent conditions. Uncovering the mechanisms of anoikis resistance will provide details about cancer metastasis, and potential strategies against cancer cell dissemination and metastasis. Here, we summarize the principal elements and core molecular mechanisms of anoikis and anoikis resistance. We discuss the latest progress of how anoikis and anoikis resistance are regulated in cancers. Furthermore, we summarize emerging data on selective compounds and nanomedicines, explaining how inhibiting anoikis resistance can serve as a meaningful treatment modality against cancers. Finally, we discuss the key limitations of this therapeutic paradigm and possible strategies to overcome them. In this review, we suggest that pharmacological modulation of anoikis and anoikis resistance by bioactive compounds could surmount anoikis resistance, highlighting a promising therapeutic regimen that could be used to overcome anoikis resistance in cancers.

Pharmacologically inducing anoikis offers novel therapeutic opportunities in hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor metastasis occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leading to tumor progression and therapeutic failure. Anoikis is a matrix detachment-induced apoptosis, also known as detachment-induced cell death, and mechanistically prevents tumor cells from escaping their native extracellular matrix to metastasize to new organs. Deciphering the regulators and mechanisms of anoikis in cancer metastasis is urgently needed to treat HCC. Several natural and synthetic products induce anoikis in HCC cells and in vivo models. Here, we first briefly summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of anoikis regulation and relevant regulators involved in HCC metastasis. Then we discuss the therapeutic potential of pharmacological induction of anoikis as a potential treatment against HCC. Finally, we discuss the key limitations of this therapeutic paradigm and propose possible strategies to overcome them. Cumulatively this review suggests that the pharmacological induction of anoikis can be used a promising therapeutic modality against HCC.

Mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to the sensitivity of tumor cells to anoikis and their metastatic potential

It is well-known that the survival of metastatic cells during their dissemination plays an important role in metastasis. However, does this mean that the final result of the metastatic cascade (the volume of metastatic damage to distant organs and tissues) depends on, or at least correlates with, the degree of resistance to anoikis (distinctive hallmarks of metastatic cells)? This question remains open.The aim of the work was to study in vitro the changes in the survival rates, proliferative activity, oxidative stress, and glycolysis intensity during three days of anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of two Lewis lung carcinoma cell lines (LLC and LLC/R9) and compare these changes with the status of mitochondria and metastatic potential of the cells in vivo.

Methods

The number and volume of lung metastases were estimated for each cell line after intramuscular inoculation of the cells in C57Bl/6 mice. For the in vitro study, the cells were seeded on Petri dishes pretreated with poly-HEMA or untreated dishes and then allowed to grow for 3 days. Cell viability, cell cycle progression, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose consumption and lactate production rates were investigated daily in both growth conditions. An electron microscopy study of intracellular structures was carried out.

Results

The study showed (as far as we know for the first time) a correlation between the metastatic potential of cells (determined in vivo) and their sensitivity to anoikis (assessed in vitro). The transition of LLC/R9 cells with an inherently defective mitochondrial system to the conditions of anchorage-independent growth was characterized by a decrease in survival, a slowdown in growth rates, an increase in both glucose consumption rate and intracellular ROS levels and manyfold lower metastatic potential, compared to highly metastatic LLC cells with the normal mitochondrial system.

C-terminally phosphorylated p27 activates self-renewal driver genes to program cancer stem cell expansion, mammary hyperplasia and cancer

In many cancers, a stem-like cell subpopulation mediates tumor initiation, dissemination and drug resistance. Here, we report that cancer stem cell (CSC) abundance is transcriptionally regulated by C-terminally phosphorylated p27 (p27pT157pT198). Mechanistically, this arises through p27 co-recruitment with STAT3/CBP to gene regulators of CSC self-renewal including MYC, the Notch ligand JAG1, and ANGPTL4. p27pTpT/STAT3 also recruits a SIN3A/HDAC1 complex to co-repress the Pyk2 inhibitor, PTPN12. Pyk2, in turn, activates STAT3, creating a feed-forward loop increasing stem-like properties in vitro and tumor-initiating stem cells in vivo. The p27-activated gene profile is over-represented in STAT3 activated human breast cancers. Furthermore, mammary transgenic expression of phosphomimetic, cyclin-CDK-binding defective p27 (p27CK-DD) increases mammary duct branching morphogenesis, yielding hyperplasia and microinvasive cancers that can metastasize to liver, further supporting a role for p27pTpT in CSC expansion. Thus, p27pTpT interacts with STAT3, driving transcriptional programs governing stem cell expansion or maintenance in normal and cancer tissues.

Construction and validation of a prognostic signature based on anoikis-related lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer and is characterized by a high death rate and a poor prospect for survival. Anoikis, which is a kind of programmed cell apoptosis, is an important factor in the advancement of tumors. Nonetheless, the function of anoikis-related lncRNAs (ARLRs) in LUAD is still not well understood. The TCGA database was queried for genomic and clinical information. A prognostic signature for ARLRs was established via the use of coexpression analysis and Cox regression. Validation of the model's accuracy was conducted utilizing K-M curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the signature was utilized to develop a nomogram. LncRNAs were implicated in the progression of tumors, as determined by functional enrichment analysis. There was an improvement in prognosis, increased immune cell infiltration, and higher immune scores among the low-risk patients. Additionally, we found that the two groups had varied anticancer drug sensitivities, which could help guide treatment. The impact of one ARLR, AC026355.2, on migration and invasion was validated by in vitro experiments in LUAD cells. Herein, a new lncRNA signature associated with anoikis was identified and estimated, potentially serving as a prognostic indicator for LUAD patients.

System analysis based on Anoikis-related genes identifies MAPK1 as a novel therapy target for osteosarcoma with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone malignant tumor in children, and its prognosis is often poor. Anoikis is a unique mode of cell death.However, the effects of Anoikis in OS remain unexplored.

METHOD

Differential analysis of Anoikis-related genes was performed based on the metastatic and non-metastatic groups. Then LASSO logistic regression and SVM-RFE algorithms were applied to screen out the characteristic genes. Later, Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was conducted to identify prognostic genes and further develop the Anoikis-based risk score. In addition, correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between tumor microenvironment, drug sensitivity, and prognostic models.

RESULTS

We established novel Anoikis-related subgroups and developed a prognostic model based on three Anoikis-related genes (MAPK1, MYC, and EDIL3). The survival and ROC analysis results showed that the prognostic model was reliable. Besides, the results of single-cell sequencing analysis suggested that the three prognostic genes were closely related to immune cell infiltration. Subsequently, aberrant expression of two prognostic genes was identified in osteosarcoma cells. Nilotinib can promote the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells and down-regulate the expression of MAPK1.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a novel Anoikis-related risk score model, which can assist clinicians in evaluating the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients in clinical practice. Analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity can provide necessary insights into subsequent mechanisms. MAPK1 may be a valuable therapeutic target for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in osteosarcoma.

Non-canonical mRNA translation initiation in cell stress and cancer

The now well described canonical mRNA translation initiation mechanism of m7G 'cap' recognition by cap-binding protein eIF4E and assembly of the canonical pre-initiation complex consisting of scaffolding protein eIF4G and RNA helicase eIF4A has historically been thought to describe all cellular mRNA translation. However, the past decade has seen the discovery of alternative mechanisms to canonical eIF4E mediated mRNA translation initiation. Studies have shown that non-canonical alternate mechanisms of cellular mRNA translation initiation, whether cap-dependent or independent, serve to provide selective translation of mRNAs under cell physiological and pathological stress conditions. These conditions typically involve the global downregulation of canonical eIF4E1/cap-mediated mRNA translation, and selective translational reprogramming of the cell proteome, as occurs in tumor development and malignant progression. Cancer cells must be able to maintain physiological plasticity to acquire a migratory phenotype, invade tissues, metastasize, survive and adapt to severe microenvironmental stress conditions that involve inhibition of canonical mRNA translation initiation. In this review we describe the emerging, important role of non-canonical, alternate mechanisms of mRNA translation initiation in cancer, particularly in adaptation to stresses and the phenotypic cell fate changes involved in malignant progression and metastasis. These alternate translation initiation mechanisms provide new targets for oncology therapeutics development.

The glutathione S-transferase Gstt1 drives survival and dissemination in metastases

Identifying the adaptive mechanisms of metastatic cancer cells remains an elusive question in the treatment of metastatic disease, particularly in pancreatic cancer (pancreatic adenocarcinoma, PDA). A loss-of-function shRNA targeted screen in metastatic-derived cells identified Gstt1, a member of the glutathione S-transferase superfamily, as uniquely required for dissemination and metastasis, but dispensable for primary tumour growth. Gstt1 is expressed in latent disseminated tumour cells (DTCs), is retained within a subpopulation of slow-cycling cells within existing metastases, and its inhibition leads to complete regression of macrometastatic tumours. This distinct Gstt1high population is highly metastatic and retains slow-cycling phenotypes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition features and DTC characteristics compared to the Gstt1low population. Mechanistic studies indicate that in this subset of cancer cells, Gstt1 maintains metastases by binding and glutathione-modifying intracellular fibronectin, in turn promoting its secretion and deposition into the metastatic microenvironment. We identified Gstt1 as a mediator of metastasis, highlighting the importance of heterogeneity and its influence on the metastatic tumour microenvironment.

Biosensors for metastatic cancer cell detection

Early detection and effective cancer treatment are critical to improving metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and management today. In particular, accurate qualitative diagnosis of metastatic cancer cell represents an important step in the diagnosis of cancer. Today, biosensors have been widely developed due to the daily need to measure different chemical and biological species. Biosensors are utilized to quantify chemical and biological phenomena by generating signals that are directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte present in the reaction. Biosensors are widely used in disease control, drug delivery, infection detection, detection of pathogenic microorganisms, and markers that indicate a specific disease in the body. These devices have been especially popular in the field of metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and treatment due to their portability, high sensitivity, high specificity, ease of use and short response time. This article examines biosensors for metastatic cancer cells. It also studies metastatic cancer cells and the mechanism of metastasis. Finally, the function of biosensors and biomarkers in metastatic cancer cells is investigated.

Deciphering anoikis resistance and identifying prognostic biomarkers in clear cell renal cell carcinoma epithelial cells

This study tackles the persistent prognostic and management challenges of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), despite advancements in multimodal therapies. Focusing on anoikis, a critical form of programmed cell death in tumor progression and metastasis, we investigated its resistance in cancer evolution. Using single-cell RNA sequencing from seven ccRCC patients, we assessed the impact of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Anoikis-related epithelial subclusters (ARESs). Additionally, six ccRCC RNA microarray datasets from the GEO database were analyzed for robust DEGs. A novel risk prognostic model was developed through LASSO and multivariate Cox regression, validated using BEST, ULCAN, and RT-PCR. The study included functional enrichment, immune infiltration analysis in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity assessments, leading to a predictive nomogram integrating clinical parameters. Results highlighted dynamic ARG expression patterns and enhanced intercellular interactions in ARESs, with significant KEGG pathway enrichment in MYC + Epithelial subclusters indicating enhanced anoikis resistance. Additionally, all ARESs were identified in the spatial context, and their locational relationships were explored. Three key prognostic genes-TIMP1, PECAM1, and CDKN1A-were identified, with the high-risk group showing greater immune infiltration and anoikis resistance, linked to poorer prognosis. This study offers a novel ccRCC risk signature, providing innovative approaches for patient management, prognosis, and personalized treatment.

Role of adhesion molecules in cancer and targeted therapy

Adhesion molecules mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions and transmit mechanical and chemical signals among them. Various mechanisms deregulate adhesion molecules in cancer, enabling tumor cells to proliferate without restraint, invade through tissue boundaries, escape from immune surveillance, and survive in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have revealed that adhesion molecules also drive angiogenesis, reshape metabolism, and are involved in stem cell self-renewal. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of adhesion molecules in cancer and the tumor microenvironment, as well as the therapeutic strategies targeting adhesion molecules. These studies have implications for furthering our understanding of adhesion molecules in cancer and providing a paradigm for exploring novel therapeutic approaches.

Anoikis patterns via machine learning strategy and experimental verification exhibit distinct prognostic and immune landscapes in melanoma

BACKGROUND

Anoikis is a cell death programmed to eliminate dysfunctional or damaged cells induced by detachment from the extracellular matrix. Utilizing an anoikis-based risk stratification is anticipated to understand melanoma's prognostic and immune landscapes comprehensively.

METHODS

Differential expression genes (DEGs) were analyzed between melanoma and normal skin tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression data sets. Next, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination algorithm, and univariate and multivariate Cox analyses on the 308 DEGs were performed to build the prognostic signature in the TCGA-melanoma data set. Finally, the signature was validated in GSE65904 and GSE22155 data sets. NOTCH3, PIK3R2, and SOD2 were validated in our clinical samples by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The prognostic model for melanoma patients was developed utilizing ten hub anoikis-related genes. The overall survival (OS) of patients in the high-risk subgroup, which was classified by the optimal cutoff value, was remarkably shorter in the TCGA-melanoma, GSE65904, and GSE22155 data sets. Low-risk patients exhibited low immune cell infiltration and high expression of immunophenoscores and immune checkpoints. They also demonstrated increased sensitivity to various drugs, including dasatinib and dabrafenib. NOTCH3, PIK3R2, and SOD2 were notably associated with OS by univariate Cox analysis in the GSE65904 data set. The clinical melanoma samples showed remarkably higher protein expressions of NOTCH3 (P = 0.003) and PIK3R2 (P = 0.009) than the para-melanoma samples, while the SOD2 protein expression remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we successfully established a prognostic anoikis-connected signature using machine learning. This model may aid in evaluating patient prognosis, clinical characteristics, and immune treatment modalities for melanoma.

Identification of the molecular subtypes and signatures to predict the prognosis, biological functions, and therapeutic response based on the anoikis-related genes in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Tumors that resist anoikis, a programmed cell death triggered by detachment from the extracellular matrix, promote metastasis; however, the role of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) stratification, prognosis, and biological functions remains unclear.

METHODS

We obtained transcriptomic profiles of CRC and 27 ARGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Gene Expression Omnibus, and MSigDB databases, respectively. CRC tissue samples were classified into two clusters based on the expression pattern of ARGs, and their functional differences were explored. Hub genes were screened using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, univariate analysis, and least absolute selection and shrinkage operator analysis, and validated in cell lines, tissues, or the Human Protein Atlas database. We constructed an ARG-risk model and nomogram to predict prognosis in patients with CRC, which was validated using an external cohort. Multifaceted landscapes, including stemness, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune landscape, and drug sensitivity, between high- and low-risk groups were examined.

RESULTS

Patients with CRC were divided into C1 and C2 clusters. Cluster C1 exhibited higher TME scores, whereas cluster C2 had favorable outcomes and a higher stemness index. Eight upregulated hub ARGs (TIMP1, P3H1, SPP1, HAMP, IFI30, ADAM8, ITGAX, and APOC1) were utilized to construct the risk model. The qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with those of the bioinformatics analysis. Patients with high risk exhibited worse overall survival (p < 0.01), increased stemness, TME, immune checkpoint expression, immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden, and drug susceptibility compared with the patients with low risk.

CONCLUSION

Our results offer a novel CRC stratification based on ARGs and a risk-scoring system that could predict the prognosis, stemness, TME, immunophenotypes, and drug susceptibility of patients with CRC, thereby improving their prognosis. This stratification may facilitate personalized therapies.

A novel anoikis-related gene signature can predict the prognosis of hepatocarcinoma patients

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem with more than 850,000 cases per year worldwide. This cancer is now the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and the number is rising. Cancer cells develop anoikis resistance which is a vital step during cancer progression and metastatic colonization. However, there is not much research that specifically addresses the role of anoikis in HCC, especially in terms of prognosis.

Methods

This study obtained gene expression data and clinical information from 371 HCC patients through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Program and The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. A total of 516 anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) were retrieved from GeneCard database and Harmonizome portal. Differential expression analysis identified 219 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and univariate Cox regression analysis was utilized to select 99 ANRGs associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. A risk scoring model with seven genes was established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model, and internal validation of the model was performed.

Results

The identified 99 ANRGs are closely associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. The risk scoring model based on seven characteristic genes demonstrates excellent predictive performance, further validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The study reveals significant differences in immune cell infiltration, gene expression, and survival status among different risk groups.

Conclusions

The prognosis of HCC patients can be predicted using a unique prognostic model built on ANRGs in HCC.

The interaction of platelet-related factors with tumor cells promotes tumor metastasis

Platelets not only participate in thrombosis and hemostasis but also interact with tumor cells and protect them from mechanical damage caused by hemodynamic shear stress and natural killer cell lysis, thereby promoting their colonization and metastasis to distant organs. Platelets can affect the tumor microenvironment via interactions between platelet-related factors and tumor cells. Metastasis is a key event in cancer-related death and is associated with platelet-related factors in lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. Although the factors that promote platelet expression vary slightly in terms of their type and mode of action, they all contribute to the overall process. Recognizing the correlation and mechanisms between these factors is crucial for studying the colonization of distant target organs and developing targeted therapies for these three types of tumors. This paper reviews studies on major platelet-related factors closely associated with metastasis in lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.

The enzymes of serine synthesis pathway in cancer metastasis

Metastasis, the major cause of cancer mortality, requires cancer cells to reprogram their metabolism to adapt to and thrive in different environments, thereby leaving metastatic cells metabolic characteristics different from their parental cells. Mounting research has revealed that the de novo serine synthesis pathway (SSP), a glycolytic branching pathway that consumes glucose carbons for serine makeup and α-ketoglutarate generation and thus supports the proliferation, survival, and motility of cancer cells, is one such reprogrammed metabolic pathway. During different metastatic cascades, the SSP enzyme proteins or their enzymatic activity are both dynamically altered; manipulating their expression or catalytic activity could effectively prevent the progression of cancer metastasis; and the SSP enzymatic proteins could even conduce to metastasis via their nonenzymatic functions. In this article we overview the SSP dynamics during cancer metastasis and put the focuses on the regulatory role of the SSP in metastasis and the underlying mechanisms that mainly involve cellular anabolism/catabolism, redox balance, and epigenetics, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutic strategies for targeting metastatic lesions.

Develop a Novel Signature to Predict the Survival and Affect the Immune Microenvironment of Osteosarcoma Patients: Anoikis-Related Genes

Objective

Osteosarcoma (OS) represents a prevalent primary bone neoplasm predominantly affecting the pediatric and adolescent populations, presenting a considerable challenge to human health. The objective of this investigation is to develop a prognostic model centered on anoikis-related genes (ARGs), with the aim of accurately forecasting the survival outcomes of individuals diagnosed with OS and offering insights into modulating the immune microenvironment.

Methods

The study's training cohort comprised 86 OS patients sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, while the validation cohort consisted of 53 OS patients extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential analysis utilized the GSE33382 dataset, encompassing three normal samples and 84 OS samples. Subsequently, the study executed gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses. Identification of differentially expressed ARGs associated with OS prognosis was carried out through univariate COX regression analysis, followed by LASSO regression analysis to mitigate overfitting risks and construct a robust prognostic model. Model accuracy was assessed via risk curves, survival curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, independent prognostic analysis, principal component analysis, and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis. Additionally, a nomogram model was devised, exhibiting promising potential in predicting OS patient prognosis. Further investigations incorporated gene set enrichment analysis to delineate active pathways in high- and low-risk groups. Furthermore, the impact of the risk prognostic model on the immune microenvironment of OS was evaluated through tumor microenvironment analysis, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and immune infiltration cell correlation analysis. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify potentially effective drugs for OS treatment. Ultimately, the verification of the implicated ARGs in the model construction was conducted through the utilization of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

The ARGs risk prognostic model was developed, comprising seven high-risk ARGs (CBS, MYC, MMP3, CD36, SCD, COL13A1, and HSP90B1) and four low-risk ARGs (VASH1, TNFRSF1A, PIP5K1C, and CTNNBIP1). This prognostic model demonstrates a robust capability in predicting overall survival among patients. Analysis of immune correlations revealed that the high-risk group exhibited lower immune scores compared to the low-risk group within our prognostic model. Specifically, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were notably downregulated in the high-risk group, alongside significant downregulation of checkpoint and T cell coinhibition mechanisms. Additionally, three immune checkpoint-related genes (CD200R1, HAVCR2, and LAIR1) displayed significant differences between the high- and low-risk groups. The utilization of a nomogram model demonstrated significant efficacy in prognosticating the outcomes of OS patients. Furthermore, tumor metastasis emerged as an independent prognostic factor, suggesting a potential association between ARGs and OS metastasis. Notably, our study identified eight drugs-Bortezomib, Midostaurin, CHIR.99021, JNK.Inhibitor.VIII, Lenalidomide, Sunitinib, GDC0941, and GW.441756-as exhibiting sensitivity toward OS. The RT-qPCR findings indicate diminished expression levels of CBS, MYC, MMP3, and PIP5K1C within the context of OS. Conversely, elevated expression levels were observed for CD36, SCD, COL13A1, HSP90B1, VASH1, and CTNNBIP1 in OS.

Conclusion

The outcomes of this investigation present an opportunity to predict the survival outcomes among individuals diagnosed with OS. Furthermore, these findings hold promise for progressing research endeavors focused on prognostic evaluation and therapeutic interventions pertaining to this particular ailment.

Anoikis-related gene CDKN2A predicts prognosis and immune response and mediates proliferation and migration in thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) is a tumor commonly occurring in the endocrine system, and its incidence rate is increasing yearly. Anoikis is a type of cell death involved in the carcinogenesis process. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis and immune correlations of anoikis in THCA. Our study used several bioinformatics algorithms (co-expression analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis) to screen anoikis-related genes (ARGs) to construct risk models. Through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, nomogram, and independent prognostic analysis found that the constructed model had ideal predictive value for THCA. The consensus clustering method was used to divide ARG patterns into three subgroups, and there were significant differences in survival among the three subgroups. The CIBERSORT algorithm demonstrated strong correlations among immune infiltrating cells, prognostic genes, and risk scores. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis showed that CDKN2A is an independent prognostic gene. Basic experiments (immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, etc.) showed that the expression levels of CDKN2A mRNA and protein were highly expressed in THCA, which was consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis. In vitro, the knockdown of CDKN2A significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of THCA cells. In summary, our study utilized eight ARGs to construct an accurate risk model. ARGs, especially CDKN2A, play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of THCA and can become potential targets for treating THCA patients.

mTORC1 Mediates Biphasic Mechano-Response to Orchestrate Adhesion-Dependent Cell Growth and Anoikis Resistance

Cells constantly sense and respond to not only biochemical but also biomechanical changes in their microenvironment, demanding for dynamic metabolic adaptation. ECM stiffening is a hallmark of cancer aggressiveness, while survival under substrate detachment also associates with poor prognosis. Mechanisms underlying this, non-linear mechano-response of tumor cells may reveal potential double-hit targets for cancers. Here, an integrin-GSK3β-FTO-mTOR axis is reported, that can integrate stiffness sensing to ensure both the growth advantage endowed by rigid substrate and cell death resistance under matrix detachment. It is demonstrated that substrate stiffening can activate mTORC1 and elevate mTOR level through integrins and GSK3β-FTO mediated mRNA m6 A modification, promoting anabolic metabolism. Inhibition of this axis upon ECM detachment enhances autophagy, which in turn conveys resilience of tumor cells to anoikis, as it is demonstrated in human breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and mice malignant ascites. Collectively, these results highlight the biphasic mechano-regulation of cellular metabolism, with implications in tumor growth under stiffened conditions such as fibrosis, as well as in anoikis-resistance during cancer metastasis.

Identification and validation of SLCO4C1 as a biological marker in hepatocellular carcinoma based on anoikis classification features

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits a high degree of invasiveness and is closely associated with rapid disease progression. Multiple lines of evidence indicate a strong correlation between anoikis resistance and tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Nevertheless, the classification of anoikis in HCC and the investigation of novel biological target mechanisms in this context continue to pose challenges, requiring further exploration.

METHODS

Combined with HCC samples from TCGA, GEO and ICGC databases, cluster analysis was conducted on anoikis genes, revealing novel patterns among different subtypes. Significant gene analysis of different gene subtypes was performed using WCGNA. The anoikis prognostic risk model was established by Lasso-Cox. Go, KEGG, and GSEA were applied to investigate pathway enrichment primarily observed in risk groups. We compared the disparities in immune infiltration, TMB, tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity between the two risk groups. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to validate the expression levels of SLCO4C1 in HCC. The biological functions of SLCO4C1 in HCC cells were assessed through various experiments, including CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, invasion migration assay, wound healing assay, and flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTS

HCC was divided into 2 anoikis subtypes, and the subtypeB had a better prognosis. An anoikis prognostic model based on 12 (COPZ2, ACTG2, IFI27, SPP1, EPO, SLCO4C1, RAB26, STC2, RAC3, NQO1, MYCN, HSPA1B) risk genes is important for survival and prognosis. Significant differences were observed in immune cell infiltration, TME, and drug sensitivity analysis between the risk groups. SLCO4C1 was downregulated in HCC. SLCO4C1 downregulation promoted the proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of HCC cells. The tumor-suppressive role of SLCO4C1 in HCC has been confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study presents a novel anoikis classification method for HCC that reveals the association between anoikis features and HCC. The anoikis feature is a critical biomarker bridging tumor cell death and tumor immunity. In this study, we provided the first evidence of SLCO4C1 functioning as a tumor suppressor in HCC.

Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Analyses Identify the Core Genes and Pyroptosis-Related Mechanisms of Nardostachys Chinensis for Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Nardostachys chinensis is an herbal medicine widely used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the mechanism is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanism of N. chinensis against AF.

METHODS

The TCMSP was used to screen the active N. chinensis compounds and their targets. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for AF were identified using open-access databases. Using Venn diagrams, the cross-targets of N. chinensis, pyroptosis, and AF were obtained. The genes underwent molecular docking as well as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). A nomogram based on candidate genes was constructed and evaluated with the clinical impact curve. After that, the immune infiltration of the dataset was analyzed by single sample GSEA (ssGSEA). Finally, microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) were predicted based on candidate genes.

RESULTS

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and caspase-8 (CASP8) were obtained as candidate genes by taking the intersection of DEGs, targets of N. chinensis, and pyroptosis-related genes. Tolllike receptor (TLR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways were linked to candidate genes. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that CASP8 was associated with natural killer T cells, natural killer cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), macrophages, CD8 T cells, and CD4 T cells. Finally, miR-34a-5p and several TFs were found to regulate the expression of CASP8 and TNF.

CONCLUSION

CASP8 and TNF are potential targets of N. chinensis intervention in pyroptosisrelated AF, and the TLR/NLRP3 signaling pathway may be associated with this process.

Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance

MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma often presents as a highly aggressive metastatic disease with a poor prognosis. Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is implicated in neural cell differentiation and cancer cell survival. Here, we show that ATF5 is highly expressed in patients with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, with increased expression correlating with a poorer prognosis. We demonstrated that ATF5 promotes the metastasis of neuroblastoma cell lines in vivo. Functionally, ATF5 depletion significantly reduced xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of neuroblastoma cells to the bone marrow and liver. Mechanistically, ATF5 endows tumor cells with resistance to anoikis, thereby increasing their survival in systemic circulation and facilitating metastasis. We identified the proapoptotic BCL-2 modifying factor (BMF) as a critical player in ATF5-regulated neuroblastoma anoikis. ATF5 suppresses BMF under suspension conditions at the transcriptional level, promoting anoikis resistance, whereas BMF knockdown significantly prevents ATF5 depletion-induced anoikis. Therapeutically, we showed that a cell-penetrating dominant-negative ATF5 peptide, CP-d/n-ATF5, inhibits neuroblastoma metastasis to the bone marrow and liver by inducing anoikis sensitivity in circulating tumor cells. Our study identified ATF5 as a metastasis promoter and CP-d/n-ATF5 as a potential antimetastatic therapeutic agent for neuroblastoma.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study shows that resistance to anoikis in neuroblastoma is mediated by ATF5 and offers a rationale for targeting ATF5 to treat metastatic neuroblastoma.

Cell aggregation activates small GTPase Rac1 and induces CD44 cleavage by maintaining lipid raft integrity

Lipid rafts are highly ordered membrane domains that are enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids and serve as major platforms for signal transduction. Cell detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM) triggers lipid raft disruption and anoikis, which is a barrier for cancer cells to metastasize. Compared to single circulating tumor cells (CTCs), our recent studies have demonstrated that CD44-mediatd cell aggregation enhances the stemness, survival and metastatic ability of aggregated cells. Here, we investigated whether and how lipid rafts are involved in CD44-mediated cell aggregation. We found that cell detachment, which mimics the condition when tumor cells detach from the ECM to metastasize, induced lipid raft disruption in single cells, but lipid raft integrity was maintained in aggregated cells. We further found that lipid raft integrity in aggregated cells was required for Rac1 activation to prevent anoikis. In addition, CD44 and γ-secretase coexisted at lipid rafts in aggregated cells, which promoted CD44 cleavage and generated CD44 intracellular domain (CD44 ICD) to enhance stemness of aggregated cells. Consequently, lipid raft disruption inhibited Rac1 activation, CD44 ICD generation, and metastasis. Our findings reveal two new pathways regulated by CD44-mediated cell aggregation via maintaining lipid raft integrity. These findings also suggest that targeting cell aggregation-mediated pathways could be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent CTC cluster-initiated metastasis.

MUC13 drives cancer aggressiveness and metastasis through the YAP1-dependent pathway

Anchorage-independent survival after intravasation of cancer cells from the primary tumor site represents a critical step in metastasis. Here, we reveal new insights into how MUC13-mediated anoikis resistance, coupled with survival of colorectal tumor cells, leads to distant metastasis. We found that MUC13 targets a potent transcriptional coactivator, YAP1, and drives its nuclear translocation via forming a novel survival complex, which in turn augments the levels of pro-survival and metastasis-associated genes. High expression of MUC13 is correlated well with extensive macrometastasis of colon cancer cells with elevated nuclear YAP1 in physiologically relevant whole animal model systems. Interestingly, a positive correlation of MUC13 and YAP1 expression was observed in human colorectal cancer tissues. In brief, the results presented here broaden the significance of MCU13 in cancer metastasis via targeting YAP1 for the first time and provide new avenues for developing novel strategies for targeting cancer metastasis.

The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment

Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.

Oncoviruses: Induction of cancer development and metastasis by increasing anoikis resistance

The phenomenon of cell death is a vital aspect in the regulation of aberrant cells such as cancer cells. Anoikis is a kind of cell death that occurs when cells get separated from the extracellular matrix. Some cancer cells can inhibit anoikis in order to progress metastasis. One of the key variables that might be implicated in anoikis resistance (AR) is viral infections. The most important viruses involved in this process are Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, human herpes virus 8, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, and hepatitis C virus. A better understanding of how carcinogenic viruses suppress anoikis might be helpful in developing an effective treatment for virus-associated cancers. In the current study, we review the role of the mentioned viruses and their gene products in anoikis inhibition.

A Vaccine against Cancer: Can There Be a Possible Strategy to Face the Challenge? Possible Targets and Paradoxical Effects

Is it possible to have an available vaccine that eradicates cancer? Starting from this question, this article tries to verify the state of the art, proposing a different approach to the issue. The variety of cancers and different and often unknown causes of cancer impede, except in some cited cases, the creation of a classical vaccine directed at the causative agent. The efforts of the scientific community are oriented toward stimulating the immune systems of patients, thereby preventing immune evasion, and heightening chemotherapeutic agents effects against cancer. However, the results are not decisive, because without any warning signs, metastasis often occurs. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on a vaccine that must be administered to a patient in order to prevent metastasis; metastasis is an event that leads to death, and thus, preventing it could transform cancer into a chronic disease. We underline the fact that the field has not been studied in depth, and that the complexity of metastatic processes should not be underestimated. Then, with the aim of identifying the target of a cancer vaccine, we draw attention to the presence of the paradoxical actions of different mechanisms, pathways, molecules, and immune and non-immune cells characteristic of the tumor microenvironment at the primary site and pre-metastatic niche in order to exclude possible vaccine candidates that have opposite effects/behaviors; after a meticulous evaluation, we propose possible targets to develop a metastasis-targeting vaccine. We conclude that a change in the current concept of a cancer vaccine is needed, and the efforts of the scientific community should be redirected toward a metastasis-targeting vaccine, with the increasing hope of eradicating cancer.

Untangling the web of intratumor microbiota in lung cancer

Microbes are pivotal in contemporary cancer research, influencing various biological behaviors in cancer. The previous notion that the lung was sterile has been destabilized by the discovery of microbiota in the lower airway and lung, even within tumor tissues. Advances of biotechnology enable the association between intratumor microbiota and lung cancer to be revealed. Nonetheless, the origin and tumorigenicity of intratumor microbiota in lung cancer still remain implicit. Additionally, accumulating evidence indicates that intratumor microbiota might serve as an emerging biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and even a therapeutic target across multiple cancer types, including lung cancer. However, research on intratumor microbiota's role in lung cancer is still nascent and warrants more profound exploration. Herein, this paper provides an extensive review of recent advancements in the following fields, including 1) established and emerging biotechnologies utilized to study intratumor microbiota in lung cancer, 2) causation between intratumor microbiota and lung cancer from the perspectives of translocation, cancerogenesis and metastasis, 3) potential application of intratumor microbiota as a novel biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and 4) promising lung cancer therapies via regulating intratumor microbiota. Moreover, this review addresses the limitations, challenges, and future prospects of studies focused on intratumor microbiota in lung cancer.

The protein arginine methyltransferase family (PRMTs) regulates metastases in various tumors: From experimental study to clinical application

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of mortality among advanced cancer patients. Understanding its mechanisms and treatment strategies is vital for clinical application. Arginine methylation, a post-translational modification catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), is implicated in diverse physiological processes and disease progressions. Previous research has demonstrated PRMTs' involvement in tumor occurrence, progression, and metastasis. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the relationship between PRMTs, prognosis, and metastasis in various cancers. Our focus centers on elucidating the molecular mechanisms through which PRMTs regulate tumor metastasis. We also discuss relevant clinical trials and effective PRMT inhibitors, including chemical compounds, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and nanomaterials, for treating tumor metastasis. While a few studies present conflicting results, the overall trajectory suggests that inhibiting arginine methylation exhibits promise in curtailing tumor metastasis across various cancers. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms and molecular interactions are diverse. The development of inhibitors targeting arginine methylation, along with the progression of clinical trials, holds substantial potential in the field of tumor metastasis, meriting sustained attention.

Comprehensive analysis of anoikis-related genes in prognosis and immune infiltration of gastric cancer based on bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that anoikis resistance is a key process in cancer cell metastasis, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Therefore, anoikis may become a new treatment for gastric cancer.

METHODS

We used the univariate Cox regression method to screen gastric cancer-related anoikis genes, and a prognostic risk model was established. We analyzed differences between high- and low-risk groups in terms of tumor infiltrating immune cells, gene mutation signatures, and treatment of gastric cancer. Analysis of model associated genes at single-cell resolution was performed.

RESULTS

We filtered to 12 anoikis-related genes and built a prognostic risk model using seven of them, which performed well in multiple datasets. Patients with CCDC178 mutations had a worse prognosis. We also found that patients at low risk were more likely to benefit from chemotherapy and immunotherapy. ERBB2 was found to be highly expressed in epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Our analysis also indicated that gastric cancer samples with high infiltration of iCAFs had a worse prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Seven anoikis-related genes were selected to establish a risk model. The model can be used to predict the prognosis of patients and guide the drug treatment, which provides a new idea for the evaluation and treatment of gastric cancer patients.

Blebs and former blebs: From surface protrusions to extracellular vesicles in cancer signalling, anoikis resistance and beyond

Associations between plasma membrane blebbing and metastatic progression have been widely reported. There are also reports of increased extracellular vesicle release from cancer cells. Yet the ties between these closely related phenomena are incompletely understood. In this commentary, we remark on a recent finding on cellular membrane blebs in melanoma signaling. We discuss possible implications for cancer biology and draw parallels to knowns and unknowns in the relationships of extracellular vesicles and cancer progression.

TIMP1 shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment by regulating anoikis to promote the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The association between ccRCC and Anoikis remains to be thoroughly investigated.

METHODS

Anoikis-related clusters were identified using NMF. To identify prognostic anoikis-related genes (ARGs) and establish an optimal prognostic model, univariate Cox and LASSO regression were employed. The E-MTAB-1980 cohort was utilized for external validation. Multiple algorithms were used to evaluate the immune properties of the model. GO, KEGG and GSVA analyses were employed to analyze biological pathway functions. qRT-PCR was employed to measure RNA levels of specific genes. Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell chamber assays were performed to determine changes in the proliferative and metastatic abilities of A498 and 786-O cells.

RESULTS

Based on the expression of 21 prognostic ARGs, we constructed anoikis-related clusters with different prognostic and immune characteristics. The cluster A1 showed a worse prognosis, higher infiltration of immunosuppressive cells and enrichment of several oncogenic pathways. We also calculated the Anoikis Index (AI). Patients in high AI group had a worse prognosis, higher infiltration of immunosuppressive cells and higher expression of immunosuppressive checkpoints. TIMP1 exerted a tumor-promoting role in ccRCC and was significantly associated with immunosuppressive cells and checkpoints. The downregulation of TIMP1 negatively regulated ccRCC cell proliferation and metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

ARGs played crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression and were positively associated with a poor prognosis. AI had great accuracy in predicting the prognosis and immune characteristics of ccRCC patients. TIMP1 was significantly associated with clinicopathological variables and the immunosuppressive microenvironment, which could be exploited to design novel immunotherapies for ccRCC patients.

Development of a prognostic model for anoikis and identifies hub genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Considering the high fatality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), current prognostic systems are insufficient to accurately forecast HCC patients' outcomes. In our study, nine anoikis‑related genes (PTRH2, ITGAV, ANXA5, BIRC5, BDNF, BSG, DAP3, SKP2, and EGF) were determined to establish a risk scoring model using LASSO regression, which could be validated in ICGC dataset. Kaplan-Meier curves and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the risk score possessed an accurate predictive value for the prognosis of HCC patients. The high-risk group showed a higher infiltration of aDCs, macrophages, T-follicular helper cells, and Th2 cells. Besides, PD-L1 was significantly higher in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group. Several anoikis‑related genes, such as ANX5, ITGAV, BDNF and SKP2, were associated with drug sensitivity in HCC. Finally, we identified BIRC5 and SKP2 as hub genes among the nine model genes using WGCNA analysis. BIRC5 and SKP2 were over-expressed in HCC tissues, and their over-expression was associated with poor prognosis, no matter in our cohort by immunohistochemical staining or in the TCGA cohort by mRNA-Seq. In our cohort, BIRC5 expression was highly associated with the T stage, pathologic stage, histologic grade and AFP of HCC patients. In general, our anoikis-related risk model can enhance the ability to predict the survival outcomes of HCC patients and provide a feasible therapeutic strategy for immunotherapy and drug resistance in HCC. BIRC5 and SKP2 are hub genes of anoikis‑related genes in HCC.

Regulation of anoikis by extrinsic death receptor pathways

Metastatic cancer cells can develop anoikis resistance in the absence of substrate attachment and survive to fight tumors. Anoikis is mediated by endogenous mitochondria-dependent and exogenous death receptor pathways, and studies have shown that caspase-8-dependent external pathways appear to be more important than the activity of the intrinsic pathways. This paper reviews the regulation of anoikis by external pathways mediated by death receptors. Different death receptors bind to different ligands to activate downstream caspases. The possible mechanisms of Fas-associated death domain (FADD) recruitment by Fas and TNF receptor 1 associated-death domain (TRADD) recruitment by tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), and DR4- and DR5-associated FADD to induce downstream caspase activation and regulate anoikis were reviewed. This review highlights the possible mechanism of the death receptor pathway mediation of anoikis and provides new insights and research directions for studying tumor metastasis mechanisms. Video Abstract.

Development of the prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma based on anoikis-related genes and initial experimental validation

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly aggressive cancer in advanced stages and has the highest cancer-related death across the world. Anoikis has emerged as a specific form of apoptotic cell death that may play a vital role in the formation and development of tumors.

METHODS

Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, we developed a novel anoikis-related genes (ARGs) signature in LUAD and evaluated the differences between low and high-risk groups in clinical characteristics, expression patterns, immune cell infiltration, and drug sensitivity, etc. According to multivariate Cox regression analysis, the risk score was identified as a significant independent prognostic factor. The possible biological pathways of ARGs' were assessed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. The immune infiltration landscape and risk score of ARGs were analyzed by ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT analysis. A nomogram grounded on six key ARGs and clinicopathological features was provided. Moreover, experiment validation of the expression patterns of six hub ARGs in lung cancer cell lines was conducted.

RESULTS

We identified 53 survival-related LUAD anoikis-related differentially expressed genes and finally six hub anoikis genes (LDHA, SLC2A1, SERPINB5, ITGB4, BRCA2, and PIK3R1) were selected to construct an ARG model. The risk model could efficiently cluster the patients into low- and high-risk groups which could accurately predict clinical outcomes for LUAD patients. There is evidence that the prognostic risk score is a remarkable prognostic factor in determining overall survival. Different immune statuses and drug sensitivity between low- and high-risk groups were explored according to functional analysis. On the basis of risk scores and LUAD clinicopathological features, a novel nomogram was developed. Ultimately, all six key genes except for PIK3R1 were proved to be upregulated in LUAD tissues and cell lines by bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

CONCLUSIONS

The result of the present study suggest that ARGs could be carcinogenic to LUAD and could be used as an effective stratification factor to customize therapies and forecast the survival rate in LUAD patients.